"Country Joe" McDonald, who became aWoodstock festival legendand fronted the band Country Joe and the Fish, has died at age 84.
The singer, born Joseph Allen McDonald, died Saturday, March 7, in Berkeley, California, from complications fromParkinson's disease, according to astatement from the band posted to their official Facebook page.
The band was "saddened" to share the news of McDonald's death and adds that he was "surrounded by his family." No further details were provided.
His death was also announced by his wife, Kathy McDonald, according to a news release shared with USA TODAY on Sunday, March 8. No public memorial is planned at this time, per the release.
"McDonald was widely recognized as one of the defining voices of the 1960s counterculture movement," read anofficial obituaryshared by the band. "His music blended folk, rock and political commentary, capturing the spirit of a generation deeply affected by social upheaval, civil rights struggles and the Vietnam War."
McDonald performed at rock promoter Bill Graham's venue Fillmore East in New York City when it closed on June 27, 1971." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
McDonald photographed at the start of a European tour in November 1973." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The singer turned out for Woodstock's 40th anniversary show on Aug. 15. 2009, in Bethel, New York." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Celebrating the 40th aniversary at Max Yasgur's farm in Bethel, New York." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
McDonald gets the crowd to chant and clap at the original Woodstock festival site on Aug. 15, 1999." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The musician, who was lead singer of the 1960s band Country Joe and the Fish, poses with his vanity license plate at home in Berkeley, California, on Dec. 9, 2014. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Revisit Country Joe McDonald's career, starting with Woodstock
McDonald performed at rock promoter Bill Graham's venue Fillmore East in New York City when it closed on June 27, 1971.
McDonald served as the lead singer and co-founder of the 1960s psychedelic folk-rock group Country Joe and the Fish, and he wrote the group's most enduring songs, including the protest song against U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, titled"I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die Rag."
"Well, come on all of you big strong men / Uncle Sam needs your help again / Got himself in a terrible jam / Way down yonder in Vietnam," he sings in the satirical anti-war anthem. "Put down your books and pick up a gun / We're going to have a whole lot of fun."
That track became a battle cry and was immortalized, along with an infamous f-word cheer during his 1969 Woodstock performance.
Speaking toRolling Stone in 2019on the 50th anniversary of his career-defining performance at the festival, McDonald reflected on the cheer and how it also "gave me a lot of problems."
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"Of course, you couldn't play it on the radio, you know? So my most famous song couldn't be played on the radio. Some people lost their jobs for playing it on the radio, but it's great. It's a great moment," he told the outlet. "I'm happy and proud that I could represent the Vietnam War and Vietnam veterans in that moment. It was very powerful."
Of the performance, McDonald told Rolling Stone that he "never thought about the historic significance of it" but now does. "But I do believe that the Woodstock Festival, film and album changed everything in America. And the changes are still happening today, right? It's still a challenge between the mores and the tastes of the World War II generation and the Woodstock generation, that battle is still going on," he said.
McDonald was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in El Monte, California. After serving three years in the U.S. Navy as a teenager, he returned to California, where he immersed himself in the burgeoning Bay Area folk and protest music scene.
Neil Sedaka, the legendary singer-songwriter behind tracks like "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "Oh! Carol," has died at 86, his representative Victoria Varela confirmed on Feb. 27."Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka," the family said in a statement to USA TODAY.
The Brooklyn, New York, native grew up to become a beloved pop and rock musician with over 700 songwriting credits, including long-lasting, recognizable hits, such as "Laughter in the Rain" and "Calendar Girl."
"Revenge of the Nerds" and "Lizzie McGuire" actor Robert Carradine died Monday, Feb. 23, by suicide after living for two decades with bipolar disorder, his brother Keith Carradine confirmed to Deadline. He was 71. "In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon [of] light to everyone around him," the family said in a statement. Carradine starred as Bob Younger in "The Long Riders" alongside his actor brothers Keith and David, as Private Zab in "The Big Red One," and dorky underdog Lewis Skolnick in his breakout role, 1984's "Revenge of the Nerds," as well as its three sequels. Two decades later, he would go on to play Sam McGuire, dad to Hilary Duff in Disney Channel's "Lizzie McGuire."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
"Grey's Anatomy" and "Euphoria" star Eric Dane died 10 months after he revealed his ALS diagnosis. He was 53.Dane's representative, Melissa Bank, confirmed the news in a statement to USA TODAY on Thursday, Feb. 19. "He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world," the statement read. "Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight."
Dane was best known for playing the charismatic and flirtatious Dr. Mark Sloan – aka "McSteamy" – on "Grey's Anatomy" from 2006 to 2012. He continued working in Hollywood after he went public with his diagnosis, playing a firefighter with ALS on NBC's "Brilliant Minds," and reprised his role of Cal Jacobs on HBO's "Euphoria" in the upcoming third season, due April 12, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Tom Noonan, the character actor known for roles in "Heat," "Manhunter" and "The Monster Squad," has died at 74, according to a social media post from Fred Dekker, Noonan's "Monster Squad" director.Noonan became accustomed to playing antagonists on camera after his breakout role in "Manhunter," which was based on Thomas Harris' "Red Dragon," the first of his Hannibal Lecter novels. Noonan also played the main villain, Cain, in 1990's "Robocop 2" and the Ripper in 1993's "Last Action Hero."
Off-screen, Noonan was also a playwright and director who adapted his stage production, "What Happened Was…," into a 1994 indie film costarring Karen Sillas, which received acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival that year." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Frederick Wiseman, the prolific documentary filmmaker behind the controversial 1967 film "Titicut Follies" and 2017's "Ex Libris," has died. He was 96.The director "passed away peacefully at his home" in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the morning of Feb. 16, a representative for his film distribution company Zipporah Films confirmed to USA TODAY.
Wiseman was well into his 30s when he started his filmmaking career, which kicked off with his directorial debut "Titicut Follies" and continued into his 90s. Wiseman's most recent project was 2023's "Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Robert Duvall, the Academy Award-winning actor known for his roles in Hollywood classics such as "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now," has died at 95.
Duvall died "peacefully" at home on Feb. 15 in Middleburg, Virginia, a representative for the actor confirmed. He was with his wife, Luciana Duvall.
During a seven-decade stage, TV and screen acting career, Duvall disappeared into a stunning range of strong-willed characters, leading to seven Oscar nominations and a best actor win for his role as a down-and-out country singer in 1983's "Tender Mercies."
Drummer Timothy Very, who performed with the Atlanta indie rock band Manchester Orchestra since 2011, has died, his bandmates shared on social media Feb. 14."The entire Manchester Orchestra family has been devastated by the sudden passing of our brother, Timothy Very. The most beloved human being any of us were lucky enough to know in this life. We've all been dreading sharing this news as we are all still in absolute disbelief," the band's post read.
"The only thing that Tim loved more than creating music was being with his family. You'd be pressed to find a more joyful dad. We love you Tim, thank you for loving us. You are a force of positivity that will be a constant presence in the rest of our days." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
James Van Der Beek, the actor known best for embodying those formative, angsty teenage years in "Dawson's Creek" and "Varsity Blues," died on Feb. 11 at age 48 following a battle with colorectal cancer."He met his final days with courage, faith and grace," read a post on the actor's official Instagram page. "There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Catherine O'Hara, the legendary actress known for "Home Alone," "Best in Show" and "Schitt's Creek," died on Jan. 30 at the age of 71, O'Hara's manager confirmed to People magazine. A cause of death was not given.A veteran in the entertainment industry, O'Hara has been one of the most lauded and respected actors of her generation, winner of two career Emmy awards, a Golden Globe and two Actor Awards (formerly Screen Actors Guild Awards). She was nominated for two Emmys at the 2025 ceremony. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Chuck Negron, founding member of "One" and "Til the World Ends" rockers Three Dog Night, has died. He was 83.The singer died Feb. 2 at his home in Los Angeles' Studio City neighborhood from heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complications, publicist Zach Farnum confirmed to USA TODAY.
Singers Danny Hutton and Cory Wells invited the New York City native to found Three Dog Night in 1967, going on to lead a successful run through the early '70s. Their 21 Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit singles include "Til the World Ends" and "Joy to the World." But the band is perhaps best known for their covers, popularizing Leo Sayer's "The Show Must Go On," Eric Burdon's "Mama Told Me," "Easy to Be Hard" from the musical "Hair" and Harry Nilsson's "One."
Negron embarked on a solo career, releasing the albums "Am I Still in Your Heart?," "Long Road Back" and the Christmas record "Joy to the World."
Rafael Pineda, known to countless viewers as the familiar face of Univision 1, has died. He was 88.Univision 41 announced the news with a story on its website, confirming Pineda died Jan. 25, in Florida.
Pineda anchored WXTV, or Univision 1, in New York for more than 40 years from 1972 to 2013, when he retired. When he left the network, he was the longest-serving news anchor in the New York market and a pioneering Spanish-language voice." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Kim Vō, the celebrity hair colorist behind the blond tresses of stars such as Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Pamela Anderson and Goldie Hawn, has died.Vō died following a seven-year battle with colorectal cancer that saw him "exceeding all medical expectations," his husband, Adeel Vo-Khan, wrote in a Jan. 24 social media post.
Aside from working with celebrity clients, Vō also appeared on shows like Bravo's "Shear Genius" and the 2022 Paramount+ show "Blowing LA," which featured his flagship salon in West Hollywood, California.
Rob Hirst, the Australian rock drummer best known for cofounding the band Midnight Oil, has died at age 70 following a battle with pancreatic cancer, Hirst's bandmates revealed on social media on Jan. 20. Hirst had been diagnosed in 2023. The musician released 13 studio albums with Midnight Oil from 1978-2022, including 1987's platinum-selling "Diesel and Dust." He was also a member of the bands Ghostwriters and Backsliders." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Valentino Garavani, Italian fashion designer to the stars, died at 93.A post shared Jan. 19 on Instagram by his foundation and his own @realmrvalentino account reads, "Our founder, Valentino Garavani, passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones." His cause of death was not given.
The founder of the eponymous brand Valentino retired from designing in 2008 after a storied career in fashion that included dressing notable figures, such as Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, Joan Collins, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Penelope Cruz and Sharon Stone. He also introduced a signature shade of crimson, with a hit of orange, known as "Valentino Red."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Roger Allers, the Oscar-nominated animated filmmaker who co-directed Disney's 1994 blockbuster hit "The Lion King," died on Jan. 17, the company's CEO announced. He was 76. Allers died following "a short illness," a Walt Disney Animation Studios spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter and Animation Magazine. USA TODAY reached out to the studio and his family for additional information.
Disney CEO Bob Iger spoke about Allers' death in a Jan. 18 social media post, calling the director a "creative visionary whose many contributions to Disney will live on for generations to come."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Scott Adams, the cartoonist who created the long-running "Dilbert" comic strip, has died at 68 after a battle with prostate cancer. Adams shared his cancer diagnosis in May 2025. In 2023, numerous newspapers dropped his comic strip after he made racist comments saying that white people should "get the hell away from Black people."Adams' ex-wife, Shelly Miles, announced his death during a Jan. 13 livestream. She also read a message from Adams, which he authored at the start of the year. "I had an amazing life," Adams wrote in his New Year's Day letter. "I gave it everything I had. If I got any benefits from my work, I'm asking that you pay it forward as best as you can. That's the legacy I want: be useful. And please know, I loved you all to the very end."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Bob Weir, a founding member of the Grateful Dead, died on Jan. 10 at age 78. Weir's death was announced in a post on Instagram, which said the cause was "underlying lung issues." "For over sixty years, Bobby took to the road. A guitarist, vocalist, storyteller, and founding member of the Grateful Dead. Bobby will forever be a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music," the post said. "His work did more than fill rooms with music; it was warm sunlight that filled the soul, building a community, a language, and a feeling of family that generations of fans carry with them."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Actor T.K. Carter died on Jan. 9 at age 69, representatives confirmed to USA TODAY. Born Thomas Kent Carter, the actor was known for his roles in films like "The Thing" and TV shows like "Punky Brewster." "T.K. Carter was a consummate professional and a genuine soul whose talent transcended genres," his publicist, Tony Freeman, said. "He brought laughter, truth, and humanity to every role he touched. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists and fans alike."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Grammy-nominated country songwriter Jim McBride, known for cowriting over a dozen Alan Jackson records, including "Chattahoochee," has died. He was 78.Jackson confirmed McBride's death in an Instagram tribute on Jan. 8.
"Jim and I wrote some of my favorite songs together and I don't know if my career would have ended up quite the same without his help," Jackson wrote, "inspiration, and encouragement in my early years. Thank you Jim, rest in peace." The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer is also credited with helping write Conway Twitty's "A Bridge That Just Won't Burn," among other songs.
Hungarian director Béla Tarr, best known for dark dramas such as "Damnation," "Satantango" and "The Turin Horse," died on Jan. 6 following a "long and serious illness," the European Film Academy announced in a tribute to the late filmmaker.2011's "The Turin Horse," Tarr's final feature film, won best foreign language film at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, as well as the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Passages 2026 – Neil Sedaka, Eric Dane, more stars we lost
Neil Sedaka, the legendary singer-songwriter behind tracks like "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "Oh! Carol," has died at 86, his representative Victoria Varela confirmed on Feb. 27.
"Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka," the family said in a statement to USA TODAY.The Brooklyn, New York, native grew up to become a beloved pop and rock musician with over 700 songwriting credits, including long-lasting, recognizable hits, such as "Laughter in the Rain" and "Calendar Girl."
In the mid-1960s, he co-founded Country Joe and the Fish with guitarist Barry Melton in Berkeley, and the band quickly became one of the most well-known acts in the San Francisco psychedelic rock movement. Their debut album, released in 1967, was the genre-defining "Electric Music for the Mind and Body."
"Throughout his career, McDonald used music as a platform for political and social commentary,"McDonald's official obituary reads. "Beyond the Vietnam War, his work also addressed environmental issues, civil rights and humanitarian causes. Even after Country Joe and the Fish disbanded in 1971, he continued to record and perform as a solo artist, producing albums and touring internationally for decades."
McDonald is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathy; children Seven McDonald, Devin McDonald, Tara Taylor McDonald, Emily McDonald Primus and Ryan McDonald; and his grandchildren, Celia, Reuben, Kepler, and Marcus.
In his final interview with Rolling Stone in 2019, McDonald said the next chapter of his life was out of the spotlight. "I'm retired now," he said. "I did a series of performances [recently], and now I'm done. I'm finished. I'm completely retired.
"I've been dabbling with being retired for a couple years and now I'm just watching the grandkids, staying home and getting to know my neighbors."
The family requested donations be made in his memory toSwords to Ploughsharesor the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Country Joe McDonald dead – Woodstock legend dies at 84