May God bless you and your...
A friend forever and ever. Rest in peace knowing that you left the world a better place.
Gary J.Turnbull
July 13, 2025
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Obituary
NEW YORK (AP) - Richie Havens, who sang and strummed for a sea of people at Woodstock, has died of a heart attack Monday, his family said in a statement. He was 72.
Havens, a folk singer and guitarist, was the first performer at the three-day 1969 Woodstock Festival. He returned to the site during the 40th anniversary in 2009.
"Everything in my life, and so many others, is attached to that train," he said in a 2009 interview with The Associated Press.
Havens was born in Brooklyn. He was known for his crafty guitar work and cover songs, including his well-received impersonation of Bob Dylan's "Just Like a Woman."
The singer's website said he had kidney surgery years ago and that he never recovered enough to perform concerts like he used to.
Havens performed at Bill Clinton's presidential Inauguration in 1993. He has released more than 25 albums. His last album was 2008's "Nobody Left to Crown."
"I really sing songs that move me," he said in an interview with The Denver Post. "I'm not in show business; I'm in the communications business. That's what it's about for me."
A public memorial will be planned for a later date.
MESFIN FEKADU
AP Music Writer
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Guest Book
A fine gentleman. Met at Philadelphia Folk Fest. We chatted and talked about Motherless child and when we are on the Peacetrain! I admired him as an artist person and friend.
Pearl Groff
April 23, 2025 | Friend
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Having grown up in the seventies Richie Havens was one of my favorite artists. I got to see him in a very small auditorium at the University of Houston, but I just can't recall when it was. However I do have a vivid memory of how small the audience was and he just invited us up on the stage to sit with him while he sang his songs. It was just a special evening all around.
Paul
August 27, 2024 | Other
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I was at the theater in East Greenwich hoping to get tickets. The theater was empty, no one was there it was snowing . As I looked around for someone, the door opened and in walked Richie with guitar case and a cloud of snow. Brushing the snow off he said hello where is everybody. I was so freaked out that he was right there, I just said hmm I don´t know and left . I´m sure he thought There was something wrong with me! To this day I can´t even think about it, without feeling that what a...
westcott michael
February 23, 2024 | Other
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Your music reached right down into my heart. But even more I was moved by your gentle nature and sincere love of others. Saw you on Long Island years ago with three of my closest friends. A night I will never forget. Thank you...
Turid Mann
January 05, 2024
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Thank you Mr Havens for all the music and kindness you shared in our world of Love/Music/Kindness--- Love Richell---recently watched a movie titled "I'm not your woman" heard "Follow" and I will put a book in a child's hands and tell him/her this book is from Richie Havens
Richell
May 06, 2023
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An American legend . Our past musicians were all superior .
Joe in New Hampshire
February 03, 2023
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I heard Richie Havens in Binghamton , N.Y. many years ago. He will always be my favorite singer and human being...........David Canfield
July 24, 2018
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Godspeed Richie, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Harry Simpson
April 23, 2018 | Buckeye, AZ
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