Politics and music: Clinton and Obama

Music is one of the most expressive and powerful of art forms, particularly for taking a stand on social and political change. With the political season in full swing, we will be seeing more and more musicians backing their candidate of choice with fund-raiser concerts. It’s even bringing back legendary band reunions.

In Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton’s corner is the legendary Sir Elton John, who is performing a one-night-only concert on April 9 at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, billed as “Elton and Hillary: One Night Only”. The benefit is John’s first public solo concert in New York City without his band since performing solo at Madison Square Garden in October 2000. Orchestra seats start at $250, Mezzanine, $125.

Surviving members of the legendary Grateful Dead reunited on Feb. 4 for the first time since they performed together in 2004 to host a get out the vote concert in support of Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama at The Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, CA. The “Deadheads for Obama” event featured Mickey Hart, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir joined by Jackie Greene, John Molo, and Steve Molitz. The $25 tickets sold out instantly.

“Every few generations a guy like this comes along,” said drummer Mickey Hart at a Feb. 4 news conference, a day before California’s primary. “It seems like desperate times and we’re desperate people.”

The Grateful Dead broke up in 1995 after the death of band founderr/guitarist Jerry Garcia.