Bert Sommer earned Woodstock’s first standing ovation with his performance of “America,” the Simon & Garfunkel song.
Sommer performed on the festival’s first evening, August 15, 1969, between Sweetwater and Tim Hardin. He was a young singer-songwriter with a folk-pop style, and his Woodstock set consisted of ten songs, including material from his debut album, The Road to Travel, as well as “Jennifer,” a song associated with his fellow Hair performer Jennifer Warnes.
His interpretation of “America” became the emotional high point of the set. The song, written by Paul Simon and recorded by Simon & Garfunkel, describes a search for the meaning of America through travel and uncertainty. Sommer’s version connected strongly with the enormous audience and brought him the festival’s first reported standing ovation.
Sommer’s performance is often overlooked because he was excluded from the original Woodstock documentary and soundtrack. That omission means many listeners know the festival’s better-documented stars but not the performer who received this early audience landmark.