‘Country’ Joe McDonald, ‘60s rock star, proud protest counterculture icon, dies at 84

"Country" Joe McDonald, the 1960s rock star known for his anti-Vietnam War anthem "I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag," died Sunday in Berkeley, California, at the age of 84. His death, due to complications from Parkinson's disease, was announced by his wife. McDonald's song became a protest anthem and a highlight of the Woodstock music festival. He was a prominent figure in the Bay Area music scene, alongside bands like the Grateful Dead and the Jefferson Airplane. McDonald wrote or co-wrote hundreds of songs and released dozens of albums throughout his career.

Country Joe McDonald, the musician best known for his anti-Vietnam War protest song "I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag," died on Sunday in Berkeley, California, at the age of 84 due to complications from Parkinson's disease. McDonald rose to fame in the 1960s as a counter-culture icon, with his song becoming a highlight of the Woodstock festival in 1969. Born in Washington D.C. in 1942, he began his music career in the San Francisco Bay Area, forming the band Country Joe and the Fish. His anti-war anthem, written in 1965, gained notoriety for its satirical lyrics and provocative "F-U-C-K" cheer, leading to legal troubles and professional setbacks despite its popularity. McDonald's music and activism were deeply intertwined, reflecting his anger and frustration with the Vietnam War.