Joan Baez

Joan Baez was a legendary folksinger and social activist long before she came to Vanderbilt our senior year for a concert in Memorial Gym. She also came to town not long after she enjoyed the greatest singles release of her career. "THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN" was certified gold for record sales and reached as high as #3 on the charts back in the late summer of 1971. Courtesy of YouTube, here she is performing that song from about the same period we saw her at Vandy.....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnS9M03F-fA

Joan Baez was also a part of an incredible group of singers and other entertainers who came together to perform as a part of the historic March on Washington 50 years ago today (August 28, 1963). Here's a compilation of some of the music they sang that day. Those appearing include  Peter, Paul & Mary, Bob Dylan, Mahalia Jackson, Marian Anderson and many others. This video begins with Joan Baez singing the anthem of the American Civil Rights movement "WE SHALL OVERCOME"........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10I6HtdJnWE

It was many years later when Joan Baez was invited back to Washington to sing "WE SHALL OVERCOME" again. This time it was for President Barack Obama and others during a special concert at the White House. It was truly a special and historic moment...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yId_ABmtw-w

At age 72, and after 55 years of performing, Joan Baez remains active both in her music and in social causes.