Richard Pierce Havens (January 21, 1941 -- April 22, 2013) was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his distinctive open-tuning guitar style and a voice that bridged folk, soul, and rhythm and blues.
In the Record§
He is best remembered for his opening performance at Woodstock in 1969, where his improvised extended set -- including the a cappella spiritual 'Freedom' -- became one of the defining moments of the festival.
His catalog spans more than twenty albums from the mid-1960s through the 2000s, and his covers of Bob Dylan and The Beatles became near-definitive readings for a generation of listeners.
Sources§
- Wikipedia — Richie Havens — link
- Archive research: The Jersey City Sound, 2026
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