Woodstock Co-Founder Michael Lang Dead at 77

He died of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

BY Alex HudsonPublished Jan 9, 2022

Woodstock co-creator Michael Lang has died. He was 77, and died of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma at New York City's Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Lang developed the concept for Woodstock, which was held in August 1969. He appeared in the famed documentary about the festival. He later co-produced Woodstock '94 and Woodstock '99, and he was involved in planning the anniversary festival Woodstock 50 (which, following various logistical and financial issues, was eventually cancelled).

In addition to concert promotion, Lang operated a label called Just Sunshine Records, managed Joe Cocker, and founded the production/management company the Michael Lang Organization. He was also involved in the ill-fated Altamont Free Concert in 1969, after he was brought in to help find the location.

Lang was born in Brooklyn and, in 1968, produced the Miami Pop Festival. He moved to Woodstock soon after.

Lang is survived by his wife Tamara and children Shala, Lariann, Molly, Harry and Laszlo.

Latest Coverage