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Woodstock icon Richie Havens dies at 72 | Woodstock icon Richie Havens dies at 72 |
(35 minutes later) | |
Richie Havens, the folk singer who opened the legendary 1969 Woodstock rock festival, has died of a heart attack at 72. | Richie Havens, the folk singer who opened the legendary 1969 Woodstock rock festival, has died of a heart attack at 72. |
He died at his home in Jersey City, New Jersey, his agent, Roots Agency, told Reuters. | He died at his home in Jersey City, New Jersey, his agent, Roots Agency, told Reuters. |
Born in Brooklyn, New York, the musician was famous for his distinctive guitar and singing style. | Born in Brooklyn, New York, the musician was famous for his distinctive guitar and singing style. |
Recalling Woodstock, Havens once said: "Everything in my life, and so many others', is attached to that train.'' | Recalling Woodstock, Havens once said: "Everything in my life, and so many others', is attached to that train.'' |
His improvised version of the gospel song Motherless Child evolved into Freedom at the festival and became an anthem of the 1960s hippie generation. | His improvised version of the gospel song Motherless Child evolved into Freedom at the festival and became an anthem of the 1960s hippie generation. |
The Woodstock concert film captured his performance for posterity. | The Woodstock concert film captured his performance for posterity. |
More recently, the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino's award-winning slavery-era film Django Unchained featured Havens singing a version of Freedom. | More recently, the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino's award-winning slavery-era film Django Unchained featured Havens singing a version of Freedom. |
'Fiery, poignant' | 'Fiery, poignant' |
His family said a public memorial would be announced later and asked for privacy in the meantime. | His family said a public memorial would be announced later and asked for privacy in the meantime. |
"Beyond his music, those who have met Havens will remember his gentle and compassionate nature, his light humour and his powerful presence," it said in a statement. | "Beyond his music, those who have met Havens will remember his gentle and compassionate nature, his light humour and his powerful presence," it said in a statement. |
Roots Agency said Havens had been "gifted with one of the most recognisable voices in popular music". | Roots Agency said Havens had been "gifted with one of the most recognisable voices in popular music". |
"His fiery, poignant, soulful singing style has remained unique and ageless," it added. | "His fiery, poignant, soulful singing style has remained unique and ageless," it added. |
Havens performed at US President Bill Clinton's presidential inauguration in 1993. | Havens performed at US President Bill Clinton's presidential inauguration in 1993. |
He released more than 25 albums and other songs he recorded include versions of Bob Dylan's Just Like a Woman and the Beatles' Here Comes the Sun. | He released more than 25 albums and other songs he recorded include versions of Bob Dylan's Just Like a Woman and the Beatles' Here Comes the Sun. |
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