Amchitka is the rock concert that launched Greenpeace. It's also the concert that launched a ship: the Phyllis McCormack, which sailed out into the first Greenpeace action protesting US nuclear testing in the Aleutian Islands.
Bruce Cox, Executive Director of Greenpeace Canada posted this blog entry on GP Canada's blog:
Tapes Unearthed
Read Bruce's original entry
After 39 years “in hiding”, today Greenpeace released “Amchitka: the 1970 concert that launched Greenpeace”, a 2-CD recording of the pivotal benefit concert that started a movement.
The 1970 concert that launched Greenpeace
On Oct 16th 1970, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Phil Ochs played a benefit concert in Vancouver, BC that funded the first voyage of Greenpeace. Nearly four decades later, the artists and family have generously donated their music to help the environment again – all proceeds of the CD will go to Greenpeace.
This rare recording is a piece of Greenpeace history, a piece of Canadian history and unexpectedly, a rare musical gem.
The album captures a young Joni Mitchell surfing the acclaim of “Ladies of the Canyon” and about to release her landmark “Blue” album. James Taylor’s “Sweet Baby James” album has just gone platinum – that night. And Phil Ochs provides a political edge fitting to the evening. Never before released tunes...Joni Mitchell performing soon-to-be classics (not yet committed to vinyl)…and an amazing Joni and James duet capture the magic of the evening.
You’ll be able to purchase a downloadable digital copy of the album within the next day or so, or order a hard copy of the CD, which is a beautiful package that includes a 48 page booklet with never before seen photos from the concert and an excellent first hand account essay of the making of the concert.
Check out songs from Amchitka now
