The Red Hot Chili Peppers closed their Woodstock ’99 set with “Fire.”
“Fire” is a song written and originally recorded by Jimi Hendrix, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers performed it as a cover at the end of their set on July 25, 1999. The band’s appearance was the final performance of Woodstock ’99, a festival held at the former Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York, to mark the 30th anniversary of Woodstock.
The choice carried an obvious historical connection: Hendrix’s performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” had become one of the defining moments of the original 1969 Woodstock. The Chili Peppers had also recorded their version of “Fire” for the 1989 album Mother’s Milk, making it part of their established repertoire rather than an entirely improvised choice.
During and after the closing set, fires and violence spread through parts of the festival site. The song became closely associated with the disastrous ending, although the crowd disturbances had already begun and the performance itself was a tribute to Hendrix and the original festival.