The 1970 Concert That Soundtracked the Birth of Greenpeace 

In 1970, the United States faced extreme political polarization from issues such as the Vietnam War, civil rights, economic instability and environmental protection. To spread awareness of these challenges, public figures, especially music artists, took it upon themselves to share their ideals with audiences in unique ways. 

A strong example of this vocalism comes from the Amchitka benefit concert held in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Oct. 16, 1970. The show was the first fundraiser held by the Don’t Make a Wave Committee, now recognized as Greenpeace, and supported a boat expedition set to protest nuclear testing in Amchitka, Alaska. Featuring performances from rock/folk artists Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Phil Ochs and Chilliwack, the sold-out concert raised over $17,000 for the campaign.

A year after the event, on Sept. 17, 1971, 12 crew members embarked on a fishing trawler nicknamed “Greenpeace” to reach the Alaskan island. While the protest failed to stop the largest underwater explosion in U.S. history at that time, Amchitka never experienced another blast. Thanks to media coverage, the protesters’ voyage became a catalyst for increased public disapproval of nuclear weapons. Since then, Greenpeace has become a global leader in preventing ecological abuse and spreading environmental awareness through its organization of protests worldwide.

One of Amchitka’s most notable factors lies in the originality of its forthcoming. As one of the first modern benefit concerts and examples of social responsibility demonstrated by the music industry, The event strengthened the relationship between mainstream entertainment and grassroots organizations. Today, this bond continues to inspire impactful collaborations. For instance: 

• Billie Eilish’s partnership with REVERB to implement sustainable practices on her tour
• Beyoncé’s collaboration with Artists Project Earth to fund disaster relief efforts 
• Alicia Keys co-founded Keep a Child Alive, a non-profit that provides treatment for children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.

The Amchitka benefit concert exemplifies music’s potential as a powerful tool for social change. By uniting art with activism, it set a precedent for future benefit concerts and artist-led campaigns addressing global issues. From its role in launching Greenpeace to inspiring modern-day collaborations between artists and grassroots organizations, Amchitka’s legacy underscores the enduring potential of music to amplify voices and drive meaningful change. As artists continue to embrace corporate social responsibility today, we can only hope that they carry forward this tradition of using their platforms to foster awareness and action on critical issues facing humanity and Earth.