David Crosby and Joe Walsh Headlining Benefit Concert

It’s Been Fifty Years Since The Massacre

David Crosby and Joe Walsh are set to headline a benefit concert to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Kent State shootings in 1970. Taking place on May 2 at Kent State University’s Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, the proceeds will go to the May 4 Legacy Scholarships (Peace and Conflict Studies course) named after the four students killed during the massacre – Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer, and William Schroeder..

On May 4, 1970 at a Vietnam War mass protest, 28 National Guard soldiers fired at unarmed college students – killing four of them and injuring nine others. Joe Walsh was attending Kent State at the time. He told San Diego Tribune, “After that, I didn’t look at college the same. Being at the shootings really affected me profoundly. I decided that maybe I don’t need a degree that bad.”

In a statement, project manager Rod Flauhaus said: “We wanted to make sure the artists we brought in for the concert had a strong understanding of the history of May 4, 1970, and a commitment to helping raise funds for the scholarships. Artists like Joe Walsh and David Crosby provided the soundtrack for both those that went to fight in the Vietnam War and for those who were against it. Their music was the common thread that helped to raise national awareness, inspire activism, and helped us to heal as a nation.”

Tickets will go on sale on March 6, Friday at 10AM.