Thom Yorke, lead vocalist and principal songwriter of the rock band Radiohead on the Rainbow Warrior during her voyage to London.
While browsing the Greenpeace photo archive today marveling at the organization’s rich history, I came across a few photos that I think you will dig.
For those of you unaware of our history, it all started when the US government decided to start testing nuclear weapons on an island called Amchitka off the coast of Alaska.The Quakers, pacifists, ecologists, journalists and hippies who were against dangerous nuclear testing came together and decided to do something about it. But what?
Then Greenpeace founder, Bob Hunter had this brilliant idea…
“Why not sail a boat up there and confront the bomb?”
And the rest is history.
From then on the Greenpeace movement continued to send shockwaves through the entire world for decades. So much so, that popular musicians at the time who were down with the cause decided to chip in and do their part to save the environment.
Bob Hunter addresses the crowd at the Greenpeace send-off event, Jericho Beach. 05/01/1976
Country Joe MacDonald plays the crowd at the Greenpeace send-off, Jericho Beach, Vancouver BC. 05/01/1976
Legendary rock guitarist Jerry Garcia, Grateful Dead, plays a benefit concert for Greenpeace on Pier 31 in San Francisco in front of the Greenpeace ship James Bay. 08/19/1977
Irish rock band U2 protesting at Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant in Cumbria with Greenpeace against the new THORP plant due to open in 1992. U2 arrived at Sellafield on the SOLO after playing at a 'Stop Sellafield' concert in Manchester. 06/20/1992
Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox as the Eurythmics performing on board the Greenpeace flagship "Rainbow Warrior" on the River Thames in London. 07/05/1999
I am a music freak and thru my favorite musicians I came to support Greenpeace Germany. I miss Jackson Browne and James Taylor on the list.
If I am right, Joni Mitchell and James Taylor attended with Phils Ochs the first Greenpeace concert event ever in Canada and Jackson Browne offered special benefit tickets for Greenpeace on his tour.
Thanks to all the musicians who are engaged. They really have a voice.
I am very thankful for that.
Sorry, referring to my last comment. James Taylor is on your list. Just overlooked him.