Which instrument did Richie Havens famously play during his Woodstock 1969 performance?

Richie Havens famously played an acoustic guitar during his performance at Woodstock in 1969.

Havens was scheduled to perform earlier, but transportation delays prevented several artists from reaching the stage on time. He was asked to continue playing while the organizers waited, extending his set far beyond its planned length.

His performance included the improvised song “Freedom,” which became one of the best-known moments associated with the festival. Havens accompanied himself on acoustic guitar, using rhythmic strumming and repeated vocal phrases to sustain the performance.

The instrument is sometimes confused with an electric guitar because Woodstock’s stage featured rock acts and amplified equipment. Havens’ set, however, is remembered specifically for the contrast between his powerful voice and the direct, percussive sound of his acoustic accompaniment. He continued performing and recording for decades afterward.