Richie Havens - Just Like a Woman
October 16, 1992. I was 14 years old, full of suburban teen angst, in the throes of Nevermind madness. This night, I was watching the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration on PBS with my parents and, I’m sure, wishing I were somewhere else.
I loved Dylan and I really liked some of the superstars who showed up for this tribute. We watched familiar faces perform familiar tunes. I certainly didn’t expect anything revolutionary.
I was indifferent as Ritchie Havens took the stage. I’d seen video of his performance at Woodstock and wasn’t impressed. But when he began to play, I fell in love. I didn’t really understand the lyrics at fourteen, but this performance shook me to the core. I sat stunned. I still can’t quite put my finger on why I was touched so deeply. I only know that I was changed. I still get the chills watching it now.
