Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock: New footage shot by a fan on stage emerges

21 August 2026, 13:34

A drama student snuck his way on to the Woodstock stage to capture history.

Just over a year before his tragic death, Jimi Hendrix headlined Woodstock in what would become one of his most legendary performances.

Wary of the massive crowd, Hendrix – backed by Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell as well as rhythm guitarist Larry Lee, bassist Billy Cox and conga players Juma Sultan and Jerry Velez – nudged his slot from Sunday night to 8am on the Monday morning.

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Underslept and unrehearsed, the newly christened Gypsy Sun and Rainbows (aka Band of Gypsys) still stole the show, with Jimi's distortion heavy take on 'The Star-Spangled Banner' becoming one of the defining moments of the 1960s.

Footage of the performance was a key part of the Woodstock movie, but a new film shows that remarkable performance complete with some rarely seen tape shot by someone who saw their chance and took it.

Then 22-year-old drama student Albert Goodman hid behind a friend and snuck on to the stage and shot a couple of tapes worth of footage, which has now been included in the new film Jimi Hendrix: Live at Woodstock — A Second Look.

Message To Love - From the film Jimi Hendrix: Live At Woodstock - A Second Look

"Transportation problems kept Goodman from the festival site until Sunday afternoon," reads the official blurb.

"On Monday morning, when it became clear that music would continue, Goodman left his tent and snuck onstage, shielded by a friend carrying a guitar.

"The young student secured AC power for his hulking Sony CV 1/2" video and set up his camera and tripod just fifteen feet across the stage from where Jimi Hendrix would perform."

It continues: "Goodman was left alone, assumed to be just one member of the sprawling film crew who had surrounded the stage for the entire event.

Jimi Hendrix - Live at Woodstock: An Inside Look

"Armed with just two previously recorded, open reel videotapes, Goodman settled in behind percussionist Juma Sultan and prepared to document history."

Goodman's footage features Hendrix and the Band of Gypsys playing 'Purple Haze', 'Voodoo Child', 'Message To Love', 'The Star-Spangled Banner' and 'Hear My Train a Comin''.

He held on to the footage for three decades before sharing it with Hendrix's family, and Jimi Hendrix: Live at Woodstock — A Second Look was live streamed on YouTube on August 18.