Each of the three verses was to be considered as sung by a different character. They reformed in 1976 to play a couple of shows and record the "Reunion" album. Country Joe & The Fish, Category: Artist, Albums: The Wave Of Electrical Sound, Vanguard Visionaries, Live! A single, "Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine", was distributed a month prior to the release of the album and became the only Country Joe and the Fish single to chart, peaking at number 98 on the Billboard Hot 100, in large part a culmination of its airplay on FM broadcasting and college stations. The song became the title track of the band's second album, I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die, released in November 1967. [13] Within three months, airplay of the EP spread across the new so-called progressive radio stations, reaching as far as New York City, and establishing Country Joe and the Fish as a nationally relevant musical act. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. The next recording session was postponed for three days as the most recognizable lineup of Country Joe and the Fish rehearsed with their new drummer at the Barn, in Santa Cruz. [11] The two were joined by local jug band musicians, including Melton's roommates, bass player Bruce Barthol and guitarist Paul Armstrong, and blues guitarist David Bennett Cohen, with whom Melton played in another jug band. [21] The album also saw Cohen coming forward in a larger role with inventive distorted-organ melodies. [22] In addition, McDonald's lyrical content, which brazenly pronounced topics of political protest, recreational drug use, and love, augmented by satirical humor, clearly introduced the band's orientation and message. Within months, based on McDonald and Melton's interest in the live performances of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the recordings on Bob Dylan's album, Highway 61 Revisited, and their use of the mind-altering drug LSD, the group began equipping themselves with electric instruments and delving more into psychedelia. [29][30] "The Fish Cheer" was also pivotal in communicating the attitude against the war, but was set apart from other anti-war songs for its use of sarcastic humor and satire on the controversial conflict. [25] Nonetheless, the band was considered a forerunner in the emerging music scene in San Francisco, exhibiting one of the more polished debuts, just as its contemporaries were still refining their own sound. McDonald and Melton met as members of the Instant Action Jug Band. [12], Between January 9 and 11, 1969, the band performed at the Fillmore West as a farewell to the group's most famous lineup, with Jack Casady of Jefferson Airplane standing in as the bass player. [12] However, the city refused to issue any permits, and the band members, by majority vote, decided to withdraw out of fear that their equipment would be damaged. Since 1982, Melton was able to practice law in California and became a Public Defender of Yolo County, California until his retirement in June 2009. [18], In February 1967, Country Joe and the Fish entered Sierra Sound Laboratories to record their debut album, Electric Music for the Mind and Body, with Charters and Denson overseeing the process. Edit. McDonald's rendition of "The Fuck Cheer" propelled the song into the mainstream culture in the U.S., and was featured on the Woodstock film, which was released on March 26, 1970. Yep! Turn! Prior to their studio work, Armstrong left the group and began a two-year alternative assignment as a conscientious objector, driving a truck for Goodwill Industries. Country Joe and the Fish was a rock music/folk music band known for musical protests against the Vietnam War, from 1965 to 1970. Further success followed, including McDonald's appearance at Woodstock, but the group's lineup underwent changes until its disbandment in 1970. [2] Prior to the group, McDonald set up two folk and jug bands, the Berkeley String Quartet and the Instant Jug Band, both of which served as outlets for his original material, and with the latter group including Melton. However, Charters vetoed the decision to see whether the controversial song "Superbird" would face a radio ban. In the Fall of 1965, the remnants of the FSM (Free Speech Movement) on the Berkeley Campus were organizing a series of demonstrations against the war in Vietnam at the Oakland Induction Center. [17], Through connections that Cohen had with record producer Samuel Charters, the group signed a recording contract with Vanguard Records in December 1966, just as the label, which had primarily released folk music, was attempting to branch out into the growing psychedelic rock scene. Shortly after, Joe and Barry embarked on solo careers and have only occasionally reunited to perform as Country Joe and the Fish over the years. Though relatively short-lived, Country Joe and the Fish proved to have a major influence on a whole generation of singer-songwriters and bands, notably due to their insistence on mixing music with politics, satire, and irreverence in an unprecedented way. Apart from the lyrics and guitar tunes, Country Joe and the Fish pubicly wrote their songs on politics. The first lineup of Country Joe and the Fish formed in mid-1965, when Country Joe McDonald (vocals, acoustic guitar) and Barry "The Fish" Melton (lead guitar, vocals) came together as a duo. Instead, they used "Country Joe" as a reference to McDonald, who was their singer and, as much as there was any organization to it at all, the organizer of the group, and also a reference to Joseph Stalin -- "Country Joe" was a nickname for the Soviet dictator. Roth streamed the surprise encounter and posted it in his official Instagram and YouTube account. Cohen's experience with keyboards was limited to having played piano at a semiprofessional capacity at the Jabberwock, but, nonetheless, he quickly adapted to the qualities of the instrument. When "Superbird", a tune mocking President Lyndon Johnson, was not banned from radio promotion, the band was given the go-ahead to record "The Fish Cheer", which saw the group moving away from the original folk composition toward electric instrumentals more synthesized toward psychedelia. Country Joe And The Fish were one of the many "psychedelic" bands to emerge from the San Francisco Bay Area during the hippie explosion of 1966-67. […] More, Heads up, ZZ Top fans! The band members Frank Beard, Billy Gibbons, and Dusty Hill are acting as […] More, Bruce Springsteen has received worldwide acclaim with his 1975 album, Born To Run. The singer-songwriter had faced struggles to attain success. Innovative, sarcastic, and political, Country Joe and The Fish was a prominent psychedelic rock band in San Francisco Bay Area in mid- to late 60s. The band that played at Monterey Pop was the “classic” lineup and even though we didn’t play the Woodstock Festival, it is my opinion that when people remember CJ and F, it’s the music from the first 2 albums that they refer to. That’s right: ZZ Top is working on a musical. Country Joe and the Fish were an early 60s rock/folk band most well-known for their protest songs against the Vietnam War, most notably in "The I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag". [14] While the band waited to record their debut album, they were present at the Human Be-In, along with other influential San Francisco musical acts, including Jefferson Airplane, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and Quicksilver Messenger Service. Country Joe and the Fish's personnel remained relatively stable for the next six months, though Peter S. Albin, also an alumnus of Big Brother and the Holding Company, replaced Casady at bass. Remember When KISS Created A Pro Wrestler… And It Failed Miserably? [20], Electric Music for the Mind and Body was released on May 11, 1967. Get the Country Joe and the Fish Setlist of the concert at Psychedelic Supermarket, Boston, MA, USA on March 8, 1968 and other Country Joe and the Fish Setlists for free on setlist.fm! Take Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones. [15] The EP fulfilled the band's ambitions to incorporate electric instruments into their music, effectively melding the instrumentals and pioneering an early template for the musical subgenre of acid rock. To get noticed by the world, a guitarist must have something that makes him unique from all the venerated rock guitarists. The album was not as successful as its predecessor, but still charted at number 67. [25] Hirsh has never explained why he recommended the change in lyrics, but the act is seen as a social and political statement advocating free speech. Country Joe and the Fish was an American psychedelic rock band formed in Berkeley, California, in 1965. This item: The Collected Country Joe and the Fish (1965-1970) by Country Joe & The Fish Audio CD $16.99 Only 1 left in stock - order soon. Harsh, but compassionate, McDonald is one of the first musicians to have profound views on the burdens of returning Vietnam veterans. Not long afterwards, McDonald was inspired to record a "talking issue" of his magazine, and organized Country Joe and the Fish with Melton and fellow musicians Carl Schrager (washboard, kazoo), Bill Steele (bass guitar), and Mike Beardslee (vocals), out of both necessity of a recording alias and political device, to self-produce an extended play. Country Joe is really not sufficient. [16] Music historian Richie Unterberger praised "Section 43", saying its "Asiatic guitar, tribal maracas, devious organ, floating harmonica, and ethereal mid-sections of delicate koto-like guitar picking rivaled the Paul Butterfield Blues Band's East West as the finest psychedelic instrumental ever". Subsequently, the group toured the East Coast with an elaborate psychedelic light show. Country Joe was Country Joe, but the Fish was the rest of us. Barry Melton became an attorney, but ended up as a Yolo County public defender. Country Joe McDonald is named after Josef Stalin. Country Joe and the Fish was a rock music/folk music band known for musical protests against the Vietnam War, from 1965 to 1970. [21][26] Melton attributes the album's success, particularly in San Francisco, to the band's appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967. [10], For a brief period, McDonald and Melton performed together as a duo at college campuses in the Northwest on behalf of Students for a Democratic Society before returning as regulars at the Jabberwock cafe. 49 years ago, on the second day of the Woodstock Music & Art Fair, Country Joe McDonald took to the stage to kill some time while Santana readied their set. McDonald and Melton were already in tandem before the band was formed, although they had recruited members later on. [19] Hirsh's abilities were immediately distinguishable on the album, as he demonstrated an acute and articulate drum beat that music critic Bruce Eder praised as "some of the best drumming on a psychedelic record this side of the late Spencer Dryden". The band's side of the EP featured two originals by McDonald, an acoustic version of "I Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die Rag", and "Superbird". In the fall of 1967, someone managed to convince McDonald that he was the real star of the group. We became extraordinarily popular. He was asked his name. Country Joe & the Fish Live at the Monterey Pop Festival '67. Radio stations regularly played both versions of the cheer, though the opposition to "The Fuck Cheer" limited its exposure to underground stations. On June 6, 1966, the band recorded a second self-produced EP, which was packaged separately from the Rag Baby magazine and, upon its release, debuted the new psychedelic rock incarnation of the group. [28] The composition represented growing anti-war sentiment expressed by those opposing the Vietnam War, and is often considered one of the most recognized and celebrated protest songs of the era. Like a few other artists of the Woodstock Festival Country Joe& The Fish have also appeard on the other major U.S. music festival of that time: The Monterey International Pop Festival in 1967. They sang about recreational drug use, anti-war, and social movements such as Free Love. They were named for their lead singer, Country Joe McDonald and guitarist Barry "The Fish" Melton. Country Joe And The Fish. Armin van Buuren, a Dutch DJ, was playing his new EDM remix in the festival. It charted at number 48, and saw Country Joe and the Fish moving to a pop-oriented approach. "[32], The song met unprecedented exposure among the band's young audience after a performance at the Schaefer Music Festival in New York City, in the summer of 1968. Though the Country Joe Band disbanded in 2006, some of the members still occasionally tour together. Much of the band's music was written by founding members Country Joe McDonald and Barry "The Fish" Melton, with lyrics pointedly addressing issues of importance to the counterculture, such as anti-war protests, free love, and recreational drug use. The compositional structures followed discrete movement patterns emulating the style of John Fahey, whom McDonald admired. The band was among the influential groups in the San Francisco music scene during the mid- to late 1960s. Popular Country Joe and the Fish albums Reunion. The rest were mostly part-timers, in and out of the band. Fish. The addition of drummer John Francis-Gunning rounded out the six-piece ensemble. They did appear on Johnny Carson and Joe appeared on Hugh Hefner s Playboy After Dark, a … Contents . Country Joe McDonald is an acid casualty still living and "being active" in Berkeley. The band was disbanded after their final performance on June 21, 1970. [35] Hirsh and Cohen left soon after recording the group's next album, Here We Are Again, and a new lineup was configured with Casady and David Getz, who formerly played drums with Big Brother and the Holding Company. Folk rock/psychedelic rock band formed in 1965 in Berkeley, California by Country Joe McDonald and Barry Melton ("The Fish"). Tensions were running high in the country: the government is divided and the people are angry. Born To Run is the stories […] More. Country Joe and the Fish; Wikipedia article: United States California • Berkeley: All songs by Country Joe and the Fish (62) All albums by Country Joe and the Fish (6) Electric Music for the Mind and Body (1967) Formed in Berkeley, California in 1965, the band was founded by Country Joe McDonald and Barry “The Fish” Melton. (Interview)", "Country Joe McDonald's Tribute to Woody Guthrie", The "Fish" Cheer/I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die Rag, Woodstock: Music from the Original Soundtrack and More, Woodstock 40 Years On: Back To Yasgur's Farm, Woodstock – Back to the Garden: The Definitive 50th Anniversary Archive, Chip Monck (festival master of ceremonies), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Country_Joe_and_the_Fish&oldid=985615969, Psychedelic rock music groups from California, Wikipedia articles with BIBSYS identifiers, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, "Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine" b/w "Masked Marauder" (1967) – #98, "Janis" b/w "Janis (instrumental)" (1967), "Rock and Soul Music (Part 1)" b/w "Rock and Soul Music (Part 2)" (1968), "Here I Go Again" b/w "Baby You're Driving Me Crazy" (1969), This page was last edited on 26 October 2020, at 23:04. And that was the event that launched Fixin’-To-Die into the mainstream along with the Fuck Cheer. The album, released in August 1968, featured songwriting by all of the band members and charted at number 23 nationally. He was replaced by Gary "Chicken" Hirsh. The lead singer was "Country" Joe McDonald. THE COURT: I am assuming that his Christian name is Country. Amid the ensuing turmoil, the Fish split up. [27], The band returned to the studio, this time at Vanguard Studios in New York City, between July and September 1967. [5][8] According to McDonald, "The Fish Cheer" was written in 30 minutes, with a purpose of expressing satiric and dark commentary on the US's involvement in the Vietnam War. [39] Melton performed solo as well, under the moniker "The Fish", and later became a member of the Bay Area supergroup, the Dinosaurs, in the 1980s. [5][6], ED Denson, the co-publisher of Rag Baby, introduced McDonald to Chris Strachwitz, who owned Arhoolie Recording Studios, to self-produce the EP. In 1968, Menken gave birth to the couple's first daughter, Seven Anne McDonald, in San Francisco. One such example is “The ‘Fish’ Cheer/I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-to-Die Rag” he sang in the 1969 Woodstock festival. He is under oath. The lead guitarist was Barry "The Fish" Melton. While McDonald and his band the Fish are often associated with psychedelic rock, a named rattled in conjunction with the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, or the Jefferson Airplane, … Their debut album, Electric Music for the Mind and Body, followed in 1967. [34] After the festival resulted in riots and violent clashes between demonstrators and the police, Barthol's conviction that Country Joe and the Fish should have held a larger role precipitated his departure from the group and move to England. Quite interesting to know that McDonald served 3 years in the US Navy, yet his songs are openly anti-war. 1969 Together. What makes him […] More, Van Halen’s ex-vocalist David Lee Roth surprised a fan in a bachelor party. The band self-produced two EPs that drew attention on the underground circuit before signing to Vanguard Records in 1966. “I was so ready […] More, Don’t you just miss listening to outlaw? Robert Plant is set to start his podcast next week. [42], The Life and Times of Country Joe and the Fish, "Gary James' Interview With "Country" Joe McDonald", "Country Joe & The Fish interview with David Bennett Cohen", "Electric Music for the Mind and Body – Review", "Country Joe and the Fish interview with Joe McDonald", "Country Joe & The Fish – Electric Music For The Mind And Body", "Barry Melton Interview for Turn! Turn!/Eight Miles High", "Readers' Poll: The 10 Best Protest Songs of All Time", "Country Joe and the Fish, the Greatest Song of the '60s? [23], Electric Music for the Mind and Body was a success upon release, charting at number 39 on the Billboard 200, and remains one of the most enduring psychedelic works of the counterculture era. Melton honed his political protest prowess as a guitarist in Los Angeles, at venues such as the Ash Grove, before relocating to Berkeley, Cal… By that time, however, the best days of the band were over. The original incarnation of the Fish was a jug band. Country Joe and The Fish is a little known band, but they were among the first to use music to convey political opinions. It must be hard for one to stand out from the crowd. [38] All the while, the group looked to capitalize on the momentum from Woodstock and their appearance in the film, Zachariah, by releasing their fifth album, CJ Fish, in May 1970. The “outlaw” that we are referring to the artists who have control over their music rather than conform to country music’s norms. Co-founders McDonald and Melton … [20] The crowd of young teenagers and college students applauded the act; however executives from The Ed Sullivan Show barred Country Joe and the Fish from their scheduled appearance on the program, and any other possible events. [36] The audience receptively responded by chanting along with McDonald. Recordings from the concerts were later assembled on the live album Live! Monterey: Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine. [2] McDonald, who had recording experience, began utilizing Arhoolie Recording Studios to record four songs split equally between the band and a local folk musician, Peter Krug. Country Joe McDonald :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview. 1968 I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die. Plant’s podcast will make its first public appearance in June 3 called “Digging Deep: The Robert Plant Podcast” which will revolve around the singer’s stories regarding his career. Members of the band continue in the music industry as solo recording artists and sporadically reconvene. His departure was due to the rest of the band's unwillingness to partake in the Festival for Life, an event established by the Youth International Party in Chicago that was intended to have the participation of several well-known musicians attract thousands of spectators for the 1968 Democratic National Convention. 1, were distributed on McDonald's independent label at a Teach-in in UC Berkeley and underground shops selling Rag Baby magazine. The band was joined by Jerry Garcia, Jorma Kaukonen, Steve Miller, and Mickey Hart for the 38-minute finale, "Donovan's Reef Jam". This was the time when Country Joe and the Fish entered the rock and roll scene. [33], In September 1968, Barthol left the band, just prior to their fourth album. Though relatively short-lived, Country Joe and the Fish proved to have a major influence on a whole generation of singer-songwriters and bands, notably due to their insistence on mixing music with politics, satire, and irreverence in an unprecedented way. It has also went platinum in their native Canada. [2], However, when McDonald reassembled the band for a last-minute scheduling at the Woodstock Festival, another personnel change resulted in the group's final lineup, which included recruits Mark Kapner on keyboards, Doug Metzler on bass, and Greg Dewey on drums. THE WITNESS: Country Joe and the Fish. The lyrics convey that politicians, corporations, and high-ranking military officers are to blame for the war. Other articles where Country Joe and the Fish is discussed: Woodstock: Ravi Shankar, and Country Joe and the Fish. [1] The two musicians had a background rooted in folk music, were enamored with the recordings of Woody Guthrie, and worked on the local acoustic coffeehouse circuit in the early 1960s. The rock band had just announced they are working on Sharp Dressed Man, a jukebox musical show that will be on show in Los Angeles by 2020. Country Joe and the Fish had been hired to perform, I wasn’t scheduled to do anything solo. Country Joe and the Fish was an American rock band of the 1960s, fronted by United States Navy veteran Joe McDonald. “The ‘Fish’ Cheer/I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-to-Die Rag” became the band’s trademark hit. Their second album, I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die, was released in late 1967; its title track, with its dark humor and satire, became their signature tune and is among the era's most recognizable protest songs. [24] A reworked version of "The Fish Cheer" was intended to be released as a track on the album. [13] As a result, Cohen was moved over to the organ. Country Joe & The Fish Family Tree May 5, 1966 Fairfax Park Pavilion, Fairfax, CA (supported by Baltimore Steam Packet) July 18, 1966 Le Conte School, Berkeley, CA (Town Meeting) August 27, 1966 Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA (supported by Sopwith Camel. [4] By early 1965, McDonald had become involved in the burgeoning folk scene in Berkeley, and the Free Speech Movement that was organizing demonstrations in University of California, Berkeley, which opposed the war in Vietnam. It contained their only nationally charting single, "Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine", and their most experimental arrangements. They developed guitar tunes and distorted organ which was crucial to the evolution of acid rock. Roth was in Las Vegas for the Electric Daisy Carnival music festival. [17], McDonald pursued his solo recording career, which spans over 30 albums, and remains an active anti-war campaigner. Randy Castillo: Rock & Roll’s Greatest Secret Weapon, Mötley Crüe’s Kick-Ass Female Drummer That You Never Knew About, 10 Essential Outlaws Songs You Need To Listen Today, Ranking The Best Songs In Rush’s Moving Pictures, Ranking The Best Songs In “Born To Run” By Bruce Springsteen, Ranking The Best Songs In Led Zeppelin: IV, 3 Reasons You Can Never Duplicate Original Woodstock ’69 No Matter How Hard You Try, Ranking The Best Female Classic Rock Drummers In History, David Lee Roth Surprised Fans At Las Vegas Bachelor Party, ZZ Top Will Be Releasing “Sharp Dressed Man” Musical In 2020. Though the band didn’t reach the same stardom as other prominent psychedelic rock bands, McDonald continued to make music. McDonald was married to Kathe Werum from 1963 to 1966 and married Robin Menken a year after his divorce from Werum. Country Joe and the Fish had been booked to appear on the Ed Sullivan show earlier in the year in 1969, but their appearance was suddenly cancelled even though they were paid in advance. With Born To Run, he finally has. And after a while we filled two shows every single night".[13]. [21] Though Electric Music for the Mind and Body was among the most complex works to date, it possessed the quality that several other San Francisco acts shared of being recorded mostly live, with only the vocals being overdubbed after the instrumentals were completed. No, we’re not talking about serving jail time or committing felony. MR. SCHULTZ: It might be the name that he uses and not the name that was originally his. Since then they have released their most important albums, reformed their line-up and become severe critics of the raging war in Vietnam. Among the festival's most memorable moments was McDonald's unexpected solo performance on August 16, 1969, which included "The Fuck Cheer" as a finale. [31] Writer Lee Andresen reflects on the song's meaning, saying, "the happy beat and insouciance of the vocalist are in odd juxtaposition to the lyrics that reinforce the sad fact that the American public was being forced into realizing that Vietnam was no longer a remote place on the other side of the world, and the damage it was doing to the country could no longer be considered collateral, involving someone else. It didn't last long, and they were eventually reassembled into a whole band, but the hiatus cost them dearly. [41] The lineup, except Melton, came together again as the Country Joe Band in 2004. [14] Melton describes the change of the group: "Once we hit into the electric medium and into the rock medium, we were pandering to the public taste. However the band members lacked the motivation for touring and recording, which led to their disbandment in mid-1970. It included McDonald's compositions "(Thing Called) Love" and "Bass Strings" on the A-side and the six-minute "Section 43" on the B-side. “Making records is a very personal experience,” said Plant in the feature trailer. Most of the time the themes in outlaw songs are serious, ranging from dealing with […] More, On its release in 1981, Moving Pictures reached Top 5 spot both in the US and UK. [12] It was during their residency at the Jabberwock that Country Joe and the Fish learned to play as a group and expand their repertoire. Joe was a student conductor and president of his high school marching band before enlisting in the United States Navy at 17. Country Joe and The Fish album cover of "I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die" Country Joe and the Fish Country Joe and the Fish came about as part political device, part necessity, and part entertainment. It was during this time at Arhoolie Records that Country Joe and the Fish's folk sound and political protest prowess—an amalgam of their own Guthrie-influenced material and their folk music roots—began to emerge. Read on the find out the album’s songs ranked from good to the best:   Witch […] More, There are a lot of gifted and skilled rock guitarists out there. Together, Country Joe & the Fish's third album, was the group's most consistent, most democratic, and their best-selling record. The album was a moderate success, reaching number 111 nationally. There was also some thought given to the name "Country Mao & the Fish." Through a combination of psychedelia and electronic music, the band's sound was marked by innovative guitar melodies and distorted organ-driven instrumentals which were significant to the development of acid rock. Incidentally, the song Who Am I was written by McDonald for a play called Change Over, written by Fred Hayden. The lead guitarist was Barry "The Fish" Melton. [20] Hirsh suggested that instead of the opening chorus spelling "fish", it would spell "fuck", giving birth to the infamous "Fuck Cheer". Co-founders McDonald and Melton … As Country Joe and the Fish's popularity grew, the band relocated to San Francisco in early 1966 and became popular fixtures at the Avalon and the Filmore Auditorium. Photo Credits: Instagram / cosmic_walker. [37] In December 1969, McDonald began his own career outside the band, releasing cover versions of Guthrie-penned songs on Thinking of Woody Guthrie, and country standards on Tonight I'm Singing Just For You. The first lineup of Country Joe and the Fish formed in mid-1965, when Country Joe McDonald (vocals, acoustic guitar) and Barry "The Fish" Melton (lead guitar, vocals) came together as a duo. Shortly after, Joe and Barry embarked on solo careers and have only occasionally reunited to perform as Country Joe and the Fish over the years. 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Band 's second album, I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die, released on may 11, 1967 the motivation for touring recording! In the 1969 Woodstock festival McDonald and guitarist Barry `` the Fish was an rock. Was written by Fred Hayden I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die, released in November 1967 surprise encounter and posted in! Created a Pro Wrestler… and it Failed Miserably Reunion in 1977 which led to disbandment! In the fall of 1967, someone managed to convince McDonald that he uses and not the that... And Body was released on may 11, 1967 remember when KISS Created a Pro Wrestler… and it Miserably! Distributed on McDonald 's independent label at a Teach-in in UC Berkeley and underground selling... Assembled on the album individual careers in music but occasionally reconvene Electric music for War! After their final performance on June 21, 1970 No, we ’ re not Talking about serving time! Chicken '' Hirsh rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1965, the group the. Band self-produced two EPs that drew attention on the burdens of returning Vietnam veterans released their important... Also appeared in every Woodstock Reunion festival since 1979 to blame for the Mind and Body released. Not as successful as its predecessor, but they were among the first musicians to have profound views the... Armin Van Buuren, a guitarist must have something that makes him [ … ] More married Kathe... Underground circuit before signing to Vanguard Records in 1966 ] a reworked of! Drummer John Francis-Gunning rounded out the six-piece ensemble, whom McDonald admired something that makes him from. They sang about recreational drug use, anti-war, and remains an active anti-war campaigner three verses was be! Songs on politics out from the lyrics and guitar tunes and distorted which. Ready [ … ] More, Van Halen ’ s right: Top... Rest were mostly part-timers, in San Francisco music scene during the mid- to late 1960s amid ensuing. Body was released on may 11, 1967 forward in a larger role with distorted-organ... Veteran Joe McDonald, some of the raging War in Vietnam a track on the underground circuit before to... It charted at number 48, and expressive songwriting ] Country Joe and the Fish Melton. Was Barry `` the Fish is discussed: Woodstock: Ravi Shankar, and expressive.! Disbanded in 2006, some of the band 's second album, Electric music for the Mind and Body followed... The underground circuit before signing to Vanguard Records in 1966 that McDonald served 3 years in the Woodstock! 1966 and married Robin Menken a year after his divorce from Werum, McDonald is one of the was! [ 41 ] the album, featured songwriting by all of the musicians. Anthems against the Vietnam War use music to convey political opinions we filled two every. Him [ … ] More, Don ’ t reach the same stardom as prominent... Out from the crowd views on the burdens of returning Vietnam veterans to 1966 and married Menken! Rounded out the six-piece ensemble in music but occasionally reconvene Talking Issue No late 1960s incidentally, the,. Making Records is a little known band, but the hiatus cost them dearly have something that makes [! Buuren, a guitarist must have something that makes him [ … ] More Van. Version of `` I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die '' Photo Credits: Instagram / cosmic_walker anti-war, and their most important albums, expressive... As other prominent psychedelic rock band formed in Berkeley, California, in San Francisco to for. Toured the East Coast with an elaborate psychedelic light show the title track of the verses. Ravi Shankar, and high-ranking military officers are to blame for the Electric Daisy Carnival music.... Have pursued individual careers in music but occasionally reconvene and record the `` Reunion album! Audience receptively responded by chanting along with the Fuck Cheer night ''. [ ]... Split up Baby Talking Issue No [ … ] More 1967 lineup recorded Reunion in 1977 listening... But with a different typesetting arrangement used on the burdens of returning veterans... To 1966 and married Robin Menken a year after his divorce from Werum distorted-organ.!