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5 Photos

Joan Baez, smiling — WHO YOU CALLING PHONY!? Joan Baez’s political tone drew the ire of right wing commentators and even ”Lil’ Abner” cartoonist Al Capp who labeled her “Joanie Phoanie”. Capp would later face court action over his comments. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection) (Baez, Joan 1964 Recto)

Tim Buckley playing the guitar — PROTEST ACROSS GENRES – Tim Buckley’s style was described as experimental combining influences from folk to classical and even jazz, but often with a message to question authority. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)
(Buckley, Tim 1969 Recto)

A man in the background is looking at Alan Canfora — THE CONTINUING VOICE OF ACTIVISM – One of the victims of National Guard fire at Kent State, Alan Canfora held that “war resistance is patriotism”. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)
(Canfora, Alan 1978 Recto)

Cartoonist Al Capp sketching on a sketch pad. Cartoon strip wallpaper is on the wall behind him. — MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD–Cartoonist Al Capp wasn’t afraid to air his political views in his popular “Li’’ Abner” strip along with personal appearances. He even confronted John Lennon at one of his “bed in” protests about his opposition to the Viet Nam war. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)
(Capp, Al 1970 Recto)

Judy Collins looking down at her guitar while she plays it — ART AS OPINION – Judy Collins was able to combine her views on social issues with commercial success. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)
(Collins, Judy 1963 Recto)

blurry image of clashing protesters — THE UGLY SIDE OF DISSENT – Both sides clash at an anti-war demonstration at Case Western Reserve University. (Courtesy of Cleveland Memory Project)

Woody Guthrie playing the guitar and smiling--vintage — DUST BOWL BALLADEER – An Oklahoma native, Woody Guthrie’s message and music served as an inspiration to generations of future artists. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)
(Guthrie, Woody 1971 Recto)

Singer Barry McGuire smiling and wearing a furry coat — EVE OF DESTRUCTION – Singer Barry McGuire’s grim look at the future was recorded in one take and was getting airplay four days later. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)
(McGuire, Barry 1965 Recto)

A cartoonist, Walt Kelly, sketching on his sketch pad — WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY, AND HE IS US – Cartoonist Walt Kelly’s comic strip “Pogo” used political satire to appeal to adult readers along with his younger audience. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)

Political activist Phil Ochs — I AIN’T MARCHING ANYMORE – Political activist Phil Ochs preferred to be called a ‘topical singer’. He was recognized by a wide range of luminaries from Bob Dylan and Paul Krassner to the Chicago Seven. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)
(Ochs, Phil Undated Recto)

Tom Paxton looking at the camera — CONSCIENCE IN THE COFFEEHOUSE – One of the most prolific songwriters of the Greenwich Village folk scene, Tom Paxton sang of civil rights, human rights and political rights. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)
(Paxton, Tom 1966 Recto)

3 musicians, Peter Paul and Mary. Peter and Paul are playing the guitar and Mary is in the middle — FOLK AS SOCIAL COMMENTARY- Peter Paul and Mary had commercial success along with their active support of social and political causes. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)

Head shot of Tom Rush — STORIES IN SONGS – Tom Rush’s ability to weave poignant messages in his songs helped inspire many musical greats to take the same approach. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)
(Rush, Tom Undated Recto)

Pete Seeger sitting on a boat dock — THE ACTIVIST AS ENTERTAINER – A giant in the history of folk and social commentary, Pete Seeger is quoted as saying, “If music only could change the world, I’d only be a musician.” (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)
(Seeger, Pete 1970 Recto)

Nina Simon standing and playing the piano — YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK – A fearless voice in the fight for civil rights, Nina Simon risked not only her career but her own safety in the fight for equality. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)
(Simone, Nina 1966 Recto)

3 men know as the James Gang wearing sunglasses sitting on motorcycles — AT THE EPICENTER OF ACTIVISM – The James Gang was the must-see band at Kent State during the heyday of activism in 1970. They reformed several times over the years including an election rally for President Bill Clinton. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)
(James Gang 1971 Recto)

The Ohio National Guard at the bottom of a hill firing tear gas canisters into the crowds, who are walking away from the gas — THE FIRST WAVE – The Ohio National Guard fired tear gas canisters to disperse crowds at the May 1970 protest. It was followed by rifle fire. (Courtesy of Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)

National Guardsmen pointing their guns and appearing to fire. — DEATH ON THE COMMONS – The debate has continued for decades as to who gave the orders for Ohio National Guardsmen to fire on unarmed protestors at Kent State. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)

A May 4th protestor holding a flag jumps in the air — BLOOD IN THE STREETS – A horrified May 4th protestor jumps over the spilled blood of a wounded student. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)

3 college students tending to an injured student who is laying down — RESCUE MISSION – Fellow protestors give first aid to a wounded student at the Kent State May 4th protest. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection

Four musicians, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, singing and playing guitars on a stage — INSTANT PROTEST – David Crosby was moved to tears by Neil Young’s “Ohio” recorded just days after the May 4th shootings. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection) (Crosby Stills Nash and Young 1970 Recto)

A crowd of people facing a man pointing towards something behind them — SEARCHING FOR REASONS – The President’s Commission on Campus Unrest meets in late summer 1970 at Kent State for interviews and to tour the site of the protest. (Courtesy of the Cleveland Public Library Photograph Collection)

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All We are Saying by Breanna Mona and Mike Olszweski is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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