Latest news with #JoanBaez
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why This '80s Rock Icon Feared Joan Baez Would Fight Him
Why This '80s Rock Icon Feared Joan Baez Would Fight Him originally appeared on Parade. Rob Halford had no idea what to expect when he met folk legend Joan Baez at Live Aid in 1985 — except for a confrontation over "wrecking" her iconic song, 'Diamonds And Rust.' The musician spoke to APin an article shared on Thursday, July 10. He revealed that during the star-studded Live Aid concert, which was broadcast globally and featured performances from rock legends like Queen, The Who, and Led Zeppelin, the Judas Priest frontman found himself caught between excitement and nerves. Halford, 73, had long admired Baez, 84, but worried that she might take issue with the band's hard-hitting version of her classic tune. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬'I thought, 'Oh my God, she's gonna come and kick me in the a** for wrecking her beautiful song,'' Halford recalled, speaking with the outlet ahead of the 40th anniversary of Live Aid. But to his surprise, when Baez approached him, she wasn't upset. Instead, she offered a quick hug and shared a touching message from her son. 'The reason I'm here is because my son said to me, if you see Rob Halford from Judas Priest at the Live Aid Show in Philadelphia, will you tell him from me that I prefer Judas Priest's version to my mom's version?' Halford remembers her saying. '…It was a display of such kindness,' Halford noted. The event was held at Philadelphia's John F. Kennedy Stadium and featured multiple popular musical groups at the time. Reflecting on the concert, Halford also fondly recalled highlights like Mick Jagger and Tina Turner's performances, as well as Led Zeppelin's iconic reunion. The event raised over $125 million for famine relief in Ethiopia, and was broadcast to an audience of over 1.9 billion people in more than 150 countries, making it one of the largest global television events of its time. Why This '80s Rock Icon Feared Joan Baez Would Fight Him first appeared on Parade on Jul 11, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
See Bob Dylan Play ‘The Times They Are a-Changin' for First Time in 15 Years
Just two songs into his Outlaw Music Festival set Wednesday night at the FirstBank Amphitheater in Franklin, Tennessee, Bob Dylan broke out his 1964 protest anthem 'The Times They Are a-Changin'' for the first time since 2010. It was a slow, moving rendition where Dylan played piano and harmonica, and had minimal accompaniment by his band. His voice was remarkably clear and lucid, which has been the case all summer long. (We're waiting for video of the full song to appear on YouTube. In the meantime, we've embedded one brief clip above from X. You can see another here. There's also a fuller take on Bluesky you can see here, though you'll need an account.) Dylan last played 'The Times They Are a-Changin'' in the East Room of the White House on Feb. 9, 2010, when he appeared at an event honoring the Civil Rights Movement, sharing the billing with Joan Baez, John Mellencamp, Smokey Robinson, Natalie Cole, and Jennifer Hudson. Until the night came, nobody knew which song Dylan was going to play for an audience that included President Obama. 'He had mentioned the possibility of also doing 'Chimes of Freedom' or 'Blowin' in the Wind,'' Bob Santelli, one of the show's organizers, told Rolling Stone. 'Believe me, if Bob had opted to play another song, there wasn't a person in the house that would have minded.' That night, Dylan was joined onstage only by bassist Tony Garnier and pianist Patrick Warren. When the song ended, Dylan walked to the front row and shook Obama's hand. It was the first time they had a chance to meet. 'He was exactly as you'd expect he would be,' Obama told Rolling Stone later that year. 'He wouldn't come to the rehearsal. Usually, all these guys are practicing before the set in the evening. He didn't want to take a picture with me; usually all the talent is dying to take a picture with me and Michelle before the show, but he didn't show up to that.' He continued, 'He came in and played 'The Times They Are A-Changin'.' A beautiful rendition. The guy is so steeped in this stuff that he can just come up with some new arrangement, and the song sounds completely different. Finishes the song, steps off the stage – I'm sitting right in the front row – comes up, shakes my hand, sort of tips his head, gives me just a little grin, and then leaves. And that was it – then he left. That was our only interaction with him. And I thought: That's how you want Bob Dylan, right? You don't want him to be all cheesin' and grinnin' with you. You want him to be a little skeptical about the whole enterprise. So that was a real treat.' It's unclear why exactly he brought back the song Wednesday night after all these years. Maybe seeing Timothée Chalamet's take on it in A Complete Unknown brought it to mind. (We'll overlook the fact that the movie shows him singing the song at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival, which didn't actually happen.) Maybe he's a huge Zohran Mamdani fan and this is his way of telegraphing support for the Democratic candidate in the New York manorial race. (Bob's present-day political views are a mystery, and we'll place the odds extremely close to zero that the song was a commentary on the New York City election.) In all likelihood, he merely wanted to add another song into his set that the ocean of casual fans a show like this would recognize. At a Phoenix stop of the tour on May 13, he played 'Mr. Tambourine Man' for the first time since 2010. Just don't expect to hear 'The Times They Are a-Changin'' if you have tickets to another stop of the Outlaw Music Festival tour. That 'Mr. Tambourine Man' was a one-off, and it's very possible 'The Times They Are a-Changin'' will also vanish from the set after Wednesday night. Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked
Times
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
The Times Daily Quiz: Tuesday May 20, 2025
1 What is the three-digit code number of James Bond? 2 Bear Grylls was aged 23 when he climbed which Himalayan mountain in May 1998? 3 Cardinals of the Catholic Church have a tradition of wearing which primary colour? 4 Bibliothek is the German word for which building? 5 Founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, what is the world's most valuable toy brand? 6 Since 1839, Maidenhead Railway Bridge has carried trains across which river? 7 Anthony van Dyck served which Stuart king as 'principal Paynter in order to their Majesties'? 8 Joan Baez saw a 'scruffy little pale-faced dirty human being' when she first met which musician in 1961? 9 Which New York City university was founded by royal charter in 1754 as
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Singer-activist Joan Baez leads May Day rally in Mountain View
(KRON) — Folk singer and political activist Joan Baez led the crowd at a May Day rally Thursday night. May Day: Hundreds rally for workers' rights, social justice in San Jose The Mountain View Civic Center Plaza was jam packed with people holding signs opposing U.S. President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. They also chanted about defending labor and immigration rights, as well as saving democracy. Among those speaking out against the Trump administration was retired superior court Judge Ledoris Cordell. Former Mountain View Mayor Lenny Siegel also took to the microphone. In the crowd, 95-year-old activist Joan MacDonald shared a hug with Baez after her performance. This is not her first time rallying at this square. MacDonald says now more than ever people need to stand up and she's impressed by Thursday's turnout. People got to voice their opinions during open mic then attendees took to the streets to march. Watch the full report in the video player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Japan Today
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
11 notable songs about the Vietnam War
By MARIA SHERMAN War, like love, has long inspired artists and musicians. That is especially true of the songs written in response to the Vietnam War during the countercultural movements of the 1960s and '70s. The songs released in that time — and in the years that followed — sought to highlight the experiences of those affected by combat and in a period of societal upheaval. This month marks 50 years since the fall of Saigon. Below, explore 11 songs from the 1960s through the 2010s about the conflict, from artists around the world. You can listen to the tracks on our Spotify playlist, here. 'Saigon Bride,' Joan Baez (1967) Based on a poem sent to Joan Baez by Nina Duschek, 'Saigon Bride' is emblematic of '60s folk music and tells the story of a solider who goes to war, leaving his wife behind. 'How many dead men will it take / To build a dike that will not break?' she sings in her soft vibrato. 'How many children must we kill / Before we make the waves stand still?' 'Đường Trường Sơn xe anh qua,' Văn Dung (1968) Văn Dung's 'Đường Trường Sơn xe anh qua' ('The Truong Son Road Your Vehicles Passed Through') is written about the Ho Chi Minh trail, an expansive system of paths and trails used by North Vietnam to bring troops and supplies into South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos during the war. Dung wrote the song in 1968, when he arrived at the Khe Sanh front, about female youth volunteers. There are many wonderful covers of this one, too, including a theatrical rendition by Trọng Tấn. 'Fortunate Son,' Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969) It may very well be the first song that comes to mind when the Vietnam War is brought up. Creedence Clearwater Revival's three-time platinum 'Fortunate Son' is a benchmark by which to compare the efficacy of all other protest anthems. Frontman John Fogerty wrote this one to highlight what he viewed as an innate hypocrisy: American leaders perpetuating war while protecting themselves from making the same sacrifices they asked of the public. 'Yeah-yeah, some folks inherit star-spangled eyes,' he sings. 'Hoo, they send you down to war, Lord.' 'I Should Be Proud,' Martha Reeves & the Vandellas (1970) Martha Reeves & the Vandellas' 'I Should Be Proud' is conflicted. Soul singer Reeves embodies a narrator who learns her love has been killed in combat during the Vietnam War. Instead of being filled with pride for his sacrifice, she grieves. 'But I don't want no silver star,' she sings. 'Just the good man they took from me.' 'Ca Dao Mẹ,' Trịnh Công Sơn (1970) The Vietnamese singer-songwriter Trịnh Công Sơn has a rich catalog featuring a myriad of anti-war songs; selecting just one is a challenge. But 'Ca Dao Mẹ' ('A Mother's Lullaby') is a clear standout. It details a mother's sacrifice during wartime. In the last verse, the mother sings a lullaby to her child and also the young country. Vietnamese singer Khánh Ly does a lovely cover of it, too. 'Ohio,' Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (1971) On May 4, 1970, the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed college students during a protest at Kent State University. Four students were killed, and nine others were injured. Not all of those hurt or killed were involved in the demonstration, which opposed the U.S. bombing of neutral Cambodia during the Vietnam War. Neil Young was sitting on a porch with David Crosby when he saw images of the horrific event in a magazine and decided to write a song about it. 'What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground?' he sang. 'What's Going On,' Marvin Gaye (1971) There isn't an emotion Marvin Gaye couldn't perfectly articulate with his rich tone; the classic 'What's Going On' is no exception. The song was originally inspired by an act of police brutality in 1969 known as 'Bloody Thursday'; when it got to Gaye, it was imbued with experiences gleaned from his brother, a Vietnam veteran. The message, of course, is timeless. 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over),' John Lennon, Yoko Ono, The Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir (1971) There isn't a lot of overlap with Christmas songs and protest music, but John Lennon, Yoko Ono, the Plastic Ono Band and the Harlem Community Choir certainly knew how to get their message across with 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over).' It's a smart choice — combining the sweetness of a holiday tune with a message of unity — delivered with guitar, piano, chimes and, most effective of all, a children's choir. 'Back to Vietnam,' Television Personalities (1984) Formed the year punk broke — that's 1977, two years after the end of the Vietnam War — English post-punk band Television Personalities are a cult favorite for their cheeky, ramshackle, clever pop songs, led by frontman Dan Treacy's undeniable schoolboy charm. The final track on their 1984 album 'The Painted Word,' however, tells a different story. 'Back to Vietnam' describes an insomniac man experiencing wartime post-traumatic stress disorder, replete with the sounds of gunshots and screams. 'Agent Orange,' Sodom (1989) German thrash metal band Sodom's 1989 album 'Agent Orange' put their extreme music on the map, even breaking into the Top 40 in their native country. Beyond its ferocious pleasures, the album centers on lead vocalist and principal songwriter Tom Angelripper's fascination with the Vietnam War, leading with the opening title track. 'Operation Ranch Hand / Spray down the death,' he releases a throaty scream. 'The Wall,' Bruce Springsteen (2014) Dedicated fans of the Boss know 'The Wall' is one Bruce Springsteen held onto for a while; he performed it at a 2002 benefit long before its official release on his 2014 album 'High Hopes.' The song was inspired by a trip he took to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. 'This black stone and these hard tears,' he sings in the first verse, 'are all I got left now of you.' © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
