Richie Havens Dies at 72; Opening Act for Woodstock

EW reports that Richie Havens has passed away at age 72. According to a statement from his family, the folksinger died of a heart attack on Monday, April 22.

The musician is best known as the opening act of the 1969 Woodstock Festival. He recently returned to the upstate New York site to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the historic three-day event. At the time, he told The Associated Press, "Everything in my life, and so many others, is attached to that train.

Born in Brooklyn, the singer was among the performers at the Presidential Inauguration of Bill Clinton in 1993. In 2008, he released his final album titled Nobody Left to Crown. In an interview with The Denver Post, Havens commented, "I really sing songs that move me. I'm not in show business; I'm in the communications business. That's what it's about for me."

According to the report, a public memorial event is currently being planned for a future date.

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