Crosby Stills Nash and Young sang on the classic album Deja Vu "By the time we got to Woodstock/We were half a million strong/And everywhere was a song and celebration". It was actually written by Joni Mitchell in 1969 and is the B side to her single Big Yellow Taxi although the third version, by the British band Matthews Southern Comfort became the highest charting version of the song reaching Number 1 in 1970.
The 3rd annual Lock Stock Festival took place on Sunday 1st September in Willenhall Memorial Park and commemorating 50 years since Woodstock in 1969. This year the event was sponsored by the Midcounties Co-Operative Community Fund, 101.8 WCR FM, Banks`s, Robin 2 and Willenhall Life although lots of local businesses were also there supporting local music. There were 3 stages for local performances during the day with local musicians such as Black Country Beatles, Bangra Smash Up, The Lemuns, Jimi Henrix tribute Are You Experienced? and tribute Fleetwood Mad and Free At Last.
"I was honoured to be invited to take part and perform" said local poet and playwright Ian Henery. It was an important festival because it was Willenhall`s way of marking 50 years since Woodstock. I think I heard the Member of Parliament for Willenhall, Eddie Hughes, singing "By the time we got to Lock Stock we were half a million strong. Everywhere was a song and celebration". There was a very good atmosphere with the whole community coming together to support local music." Joking apart, 5,000 strong is what we estimated attended the Lock Stock Festival in Willenhall Memorial Park".
Ian points out that numbers attending the Lock Stock Festivals have been growing exponentially every year with 1,000 in the first year, 3,000 in the second year and an estimated 5,000 for 2019. The format of having 3 stages and 3 different genres of music clearly works and all on one large event field. The Soul Marquee was hosted by Willenhall DJ Niel Jackson from 101.8 WCR FM and a gifted presenter live and on the radio. Local artists Dayton Grey, Helen James and Lisa Morrell topped the bill with a fabulous Pink tribute, Stacy Green, kicking off the day.
The Banks`s and Robin 2 Stage was hosted by Willenhall`s very own Susan Vickers of One Nation and also a radio presenter on 101.8 WCR FM. This stage caters for the rock and blues audience. Local band Young Anarcy kicked things off with tributes to Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Free, Bad Company and the world-famous and Jimi Hendrix tribute Are You Experienced? In the spirit of 1969 this area also contained it`s very own Tepee for the general public and separate gazebos for Black Country Royalty like Doreen Tipton and Eddie Hughes, member of Parliament for Willenhall.
The Pop Stage was hosted by local presenter, actress and friend to Lock Stock Lainey Walsh and sponsored by The Midcounties Co-Operative Community Fund. "I performed on this stage", explained Ian Henery "and Lainey was brilliant! New this year were the Black Country Beatles who played by popular demand and Willenhall`s very own Soul`d Out UK. There was a 150 seater grandstand that was full with private party gazebos in this area as well."
Willenhall has a wealth of musical history. At the 3rd annual Lock Stock Festival it was on proud display to thousands of local people at Willenhall Memorial Park.
"The organisers did a brilliant job" said Ian Henery. "Big respect to them all. They keep the momentum going and they are all community volunteers. They are the beating heart of our community".
