As a Vietnam-era sailor, folk singer, anti-war activist, rock music icon, advocate for environmental and veterans causes, and a respected scholar of the history of nursing, Joe McDonald has been a towering figure on the landscape of American culture for the past four decades. Born in Washington, D. C., Joe grew up in El Monte, California, where he soaked up influences from the vital jazz, gospel, r&b, rock and roll music scenes of southern California in the late 1950s. Settling in Berkeley in the 1960s, his band, Country Joe and the Fish was renowned for performing at demonstrations against the war in Vietnam, and for its home-grown recording of Joe's anti-war anthem, "Fixin' To Die Rag," The ground-breaking group was soon introducing the "psychedelic" experience and the infamous "fish cheer" to audiences across the country, and releasing albums that became staples of college, progressive, and underground radio stations.

Since those days, Joe has brought his music to millions through world-wide performances and the release more than 30 albums while at the same time becoming a powerful advocate for the issues close to his heart. On his most recent album, Spartan Carry On (Shanachie), Joe remains firmly in the folk idiom with a selection of songs which range from the Unitarian hymn book and acoustic re-workings of his acid-rock classics to portraits drawn from his study of the life of Florence Nightingale and his expositions on dark science fiction topics. Don't miss this opportunity to see and hear Berkeley's world renowned troubadour as he joins us for a very special anniversary season concert.