US 1960s: Anti-war protests

Question 1

Folk Musicians

Answer 1

Joan Baez - involved in social activism off stage
Non violent even when SDS turned violent

Bob Dylan - cited as inspiration but resisted being drawn in personally
Most famous political songs roughly 1962-3, not in later 60s

David Crosby - ‘Ohio’ written in response to Kent State massacre, four students protesting war shot and killed by Ohio national guard

Phil Ochs - made anti-war songs, disappointed by failure of 1968 Democratic Convention protest (failed due to policing, police broke up protest so it fragmented)

Question 2

Folk music and mainstream media

Answer 2

Newport Folk Festival 1964> mainstream crossover
Mainstream pop songwriters picked up on this (Barry McGuire) Eve of Destruction - 100s of attendees, recorded by people across the world to see it
Strong association with anti-war protest