Country Joe & the Fish

Country Joe & the Fish Artistfacts

  • 1965-1970
    Country Joe McDonaldVocals, guitar1965-1970
    Barry MeltonGuitar1965-1970
    David CohenGuitar, keyboards1965-1970
    Bruce BartholBass1965-1970
    Chicken HirschDrums1965-1970
  • Country Joe McDonald is named after Josef Stalin.
  • McDonald and Melton met as members of the Instant Action Jug Band. The original incarnation of the Fish was a jug band.
  • They were all arrested in Worcester, Massachusetts for inciting a crowd to lewd behavior by leading them in the infamous "FISH" cheer (Gimme an F - Gimme a U - etc.).
  • The band remained together long enough to appear in the 1971 film Zachariah.
  • McDonald has become involved in causes ranging from Vietnam veterans to saving the whales.
  • McDonald has a daughter named Seven. No joke, Seinfeld fans.
  • The Fish briefly reunited in 1977 for a tour and an album, Reunion.
  • In 1992, Melton ran for a city judgeship in Mendocino, California. He lost.
  • Country Joe McDonald performed solo and with The Fish at the 1969 Woodstock Festival. McDonald says he was "scared to death" and had to be pushed onstage for his solo performance. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France

Comments: 5

  • Keely from FlMcDonald is considered a world class expert on the life and career of Florence Nightingale and has donated his extensive archives on her to the University of California in San Francisco.
  • Chilcox from Atchison, KsDUN, DUN, DUN, DUN, DUN, DUN, DUN... MARIJUANA!
  • Willard from Pittsfield, Ili really dig em even though i never got to go to woodstock
  • Nickc from Ft. Wayne, InAppeared in a Pepsi commercial during one of the modern rock Woodstock revivals. Another artist, I don't remember who, said, "You remember when we played here, Joe?" Country Joe said simply, "No, man."
  • Josh from Hauula, HiOne of the most inspirational bands at Woodstock
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