The number of artists who have bailed on Woodstock 50 -- if it even happens -- has increased to include original Woodstock performers Santana, John Sebastian and Country Joe McDonald, along with Miley Cyrus, The Raconteurs and The Lumineers. They join John Fogerty, Jay-Z and Dead & Company, who all pulled out last week. The Black Keys opted out in April before all the drama on where -- and if -- the festival will be held started.
Confirming his decision not to perform, a spokesman for Carlos Santana says, "We can’t come back [to Maryland] and do a free show two days after a paid show. Go buy a ticket to the Supernatural show!,” which is August 14th in Bristow, Virginia.
Country Joe tells The Baltimore Sun, "I have no airfare booked. I have no hotels. I have nothing planned. I’m not interested in getting on a ship that’s sinking, and I don’t see any indication that this ship is not sinking.”
And John Sebastian says, "I was with them all the way until the location changed. And it pisses me off, because I feel like a blood brother with [promoter Michael Lang], and I would love to be able to join him.” Sebastian wasn't officially on the bill in 1969. But, while hanging out backstage, he was asked to perform to do an acoustic set on the second day while the crew swept water off the stage following a rainstorm.
Among those still on the bill, should the festival take place on August 16th, 17th and 18th at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland are Robert Plant, David Crosby, The Zombies, The Killers, Imagine Dragons and Chance the Rapper.
If the show actually happens, it will reportedly be free.