As the 55th anniversary of Woodstock approaches, Bethel Woods is buzzing with excitement, and stories of the iconic 1969 festival are being revived. One place steeped in Woodstock lore is the former Holiday Inn, now the Days Inn, in Liberty, New York. From August 15-18, 1969, this unassuming hotel became a vibrant hub for many of the performers who graced the Woodstock stage.
During those legendary days, the hotel was the place to be if you wanted to sleep under a roof. The entertainers who played Woodstock traveled the 15 miles to Bethel by helicopter, ensuring they were rested and ready to perform. Among the famous guests were rock legends like Janis Joplin and Keith Moon. The hotel’s lobby became an impromptu stage, where Joplin was known to swig Southern Comfort and jam into the night.
Henry Gross of Sha Na Na shared his own unforgettable memories with The Guardian, recalling how he drank Jack Daniels with Jimi Hendrix until sunrise. Elliott Cahn, also from Sha Na Na, remembered staying in a room previously occupied by Grace Slick and Paul Kantner. His girlfriend Suzanne took the opportunity to try on Slick’s gauzy dresses, adding a touch of glamor to their stay.
For the family of coach Jim Shulman, the Woodstock weekend was a financial boon. Shulman’s Aunt Florence and Uncle Herbie owned the Holiday Inn, and the influx of rock stars and their entourages turned the bar into a nonstop party. Shulman recalled his Uncle Herbie’s delight: “Jimmy, it was the best bar business I had in my life! Those people drank like fish. I said, ‘Screw New York State, I’m keeping the bar open day and night.'”
Herbie’s encounters with the rock stars were often amusing. When a long-haired guest requested a tab, Herbie asked for a bank reference, not realizing he was speaking to a member of Jefferson Airplane. A quick call to the Bank of America confirmed their financial reliability with a humorous twist: “Whatever the bill is, add three zeros. They won’t know the difference.”
Adding to the hotel’s charm was Shulman’s bubbie Sadie, a resilient refugee from Russia or Poland. Sadie’s encounter with Grace Slick is the stuff of legend. Seeing Slick in a fringe leather vest with nothing underneath, Sadie rushed to her with motherly concern, stuffing napkins into the vest and insisting she cover up to avoid getting pneumonia from the air conditioning. Amidst the laughter and chants of “Get a tzvetter, get a tzvetter,” Slick eventually returned wearing a sweater, much to Sadie’s relief.
As Woodstock’s anniversary is celebrated at Bethel Woods, these stories from the Days Inn in Liberty remind us of the festival’s lasting impact and the vibrant, colorful characters who made it an unforgettable piece of history. Whether you’re reminiscing about the past or exploring the area for the first time, the spirit of Woodstock lives on in the heart of the Catskills.
Adapted with permission from Colleen Kane (@catskillspapertrail on Instagram and Facebook)
If interested in visiting the original sight of Woodstock at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, here is their list of events for this weekend from Friday, August 16th-Sunday, August 18th.
