But the sad irony is that none of the 4 killed were even taking part in the protest. They were simply walking to class when they were struck by bullets from the Ohio National Guard.
Others have commented on the history behind this marvellous protest song over an event that NEVER should have happened, so what I will say instead is, Amber you are a treasure! Without knowing any of what happened nearly fifty four years ago, you still "got it"! You're the best!!
Sometimes history forgets that while tragic that 4 students were killed by the Ohio National Guard, many more students were shot at other collages, but thank God, no one else died. Never forget the ones shot but recovered…🙏🏻✌️
@@stevelabonte7923 true, an absolute tragedy, but those were S.C. State Police Officers, supposedly “trained to quell protests.” At Kent State, it was the Ohio National Guard, some the same age as the protesters. But I 100% agree when one life is taken, it’s not worth listening to protesters
There is a very famous Pulitzer Prize winning picture of a girl , arms outstretched and pleading over one of the dead boys asking why??? She was only 14 so what was a fourteen year old doing at a University???
The students who were shot and killed are Allison Krause (19), Jeffrey Glenn Miller (20), Sandra Lee Scheuer (20), and William Knox Schroeder (19) RIP.
Massacre? Four protesters yelling and screaming at part-time soldiers in the atmosphere of the time. I'm more surprised it only happened this once. Tragedy yes, regrettable?, sure but Massacre? I think you are overstating it. Calling this a Massacre is like calling Jan 6 an insurgency.
Age 67 here. Lived through these time as many of us did. It was a sad day in America and people had enough of the Vietnam war that ended up being a bogus conflict we had no business in. America was lied to by the politicians. Imagine that ? RIP for the 4 Students. It was so senseless as the guard that shot were just young kids too.
I just learned more about this atrocity.. Specifically 'the hardhat riots' (is that what it was called?) that happened subsequently to the Kent State massacre... There's a good yt video by Robert Reich that discusses this named: My Ult. Hist. Crash Course
I heard quite a few stories about this. One person who was shot and became paralyzed for the rest of his life. He was my history teacher my sophomore year up until I graduated. His name is Mr. Dean Kahler. He told our class exactly what happened before the National Guard opened fire on the students. It was pretty interesting to hear first hand all of the stories from someone who was actually their. Not only their but someone who was shot and survived to talk about it.
4 killed and 9 wounded when the Ohio State National Guard opened fire on protesters at a sit-in at Kent State University. None of the guardsmen were ever punished. May the 4th always makes me sad. Sorry to all of you Star Wars fans.
The founders of DEVO were art students at Kent State when it happened. The tragedy was the motivating force for the entire "De-Evolution" concept of the band. It's interesting to hear their perspective on what happened there that day. >>> ua-cam.com/video/YfeLBV3J6NI/v-deo.html
Written, recorded, released and on the radio within 10 days of the event. This said what we all felt, and it was necessary, more important than just a song : )
Yes, this showed that their brutality had no limits, if people didn't fall line, they would kill them. What were a few college students when they had already sent thousand to die in an unnecessary trumped- up war.
Never forget! I was in the Air Force when this happened. That picture of Mary Ann Vecchio kneeling over the dead body of Jeffrey Miller. Such a tragedy!
@@daveyhouston that WAS my birthday. My 10th bday and my family was driving thru Ohio to Michigan when this all happened. I was so effected by it, even as a 10 year old, that I read everything I could about it in high school and college. Eery year my bday has come around, I think of Kent State.
Yes! We BOOMERS, the greatest generation. Let us CONTINUE to RISE UP Today!!!!! in the 'same spirit' with which we were born. Especially Now . . . more than ever!!!!
They actually recorded this and got it on the air, even though they had another song still on the charts. Released right after American National Guard shot into a crowd of protesting students at Kent State in 1970. (Killing four)
The Kent State Massacre took place on May 4, 1970, during a protest march on the grounds of Kent State University, at the height of the Vietnam War. Neil Young wrote the song in the days after the incident after reading about the killings and seeing photographs of the victims in Life Magazine. The band got together, rehearsed it a few times, and recorded it two weeks after the shootings. It was on the radio and in stores the following month, June 1970. The simple style and raw passionate emotions reinforced the horror of the shootings in many people's minds, and it landed like an atom bomb that summer. Arguably the greatest protest song ever written.
It was taken by a photography major at the University and he ended up winning the Pulitzer. Even today it's shocking to see poor Jeffrey laid out where he was killed while this poor teen is horror struck.
Note, One of the dead and a few of the wounded students were only crossing the campus leaving a class and going to their next one. Not even involved in the protest. The Guard shot at a distance of over 200 feet away from the near end of the protest..
Will never forget that. Shocked the nation. I was 16. Unarmed college students protesting the Vietnam war....the National Guard opened fire on them. Horrible.
54 years later and this still gives me the chills. To me the sound of the guitar in the solo so captures the pain and anguish of the loss of the 4 souls lost to such a senseless tragedy.
Kent State Massacre in Ohio. 4 unarmed students protesting the announced expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia by the National Guard. 67 rounds in 13 seconds. My uncle was on campus as a student at the time. National tragedy and national outrage followed.
54% of Americans surveyed blamed the students and of course Nixon was elected in a landslide victory after this incident. What does that say about public opinion at the time?
Minimal answer: At an anti-war protest the National Guard troops shoot and killed four student protesters. The rage this produced inspired Neil to go home and immediately write this song, they went and recorded it that night and were pushing it on radios the next day
The only correction is I believe that the students that were killed were NOT part of the protest! They just happened to be walking across the campus at the wrong time😢😢
@@bernardsalvatore1929 Half right, both times. Two were protesting, two were crossing the parking lot and looking to see what the commotion was. None of the students were ever within 75 feet of the Guard. And the only student who might possibly have been armed was a police informant.
Young wrote it overnight and the band got together 4 days later to record it. Before 3 weeks had passed it was in major rotation on almost every radio station in the country.
Another good Vietnam era protest song was Buffalo Springfield For What It's Worth. Definitely worth the listen. Great review as usual. Check out Kent St history 1970.
Yes, the album cover was done by Joni Mitchell who had been in relationships with both Graham Nash and David Crosby. CSN did a terrific cover of her song, “Woodstock.” And she is a very talented painter in addition to her musical gifts.
Hard to pick a favorite child, but "Woodstock" is probably my favorite song by CSN. They did the impossible and made a Joni song their own. And Jon'is version of course. I also like the Matthew's Southern Comfort version.
Allison Krause, age 19 Jeffrey Glenn Miller, age 20 Sandra Lee Scheuer, age 20 William Knox Schroeder, age 19 They were 9-10 years older than me when they died. I look at their age now and it strikes me that they were just barely out of childhood.
Lots of anti-war protests back in the early 70s. This was a protest at Kent State regarding expanding the Vietnam War into Cambodia. Ohio National Guard soldiers opened fire on the protesters killing 4 students.
This is a very, very cultural significant song. It’s called “OHIO”, but some people know it as “4 DEAD IN OHIO” because of the 4 completely INNOCENT Kent State students who were killed by the National Guard. They were simply walking in between classes when they were fatally shot. The band made a remarkably great song out of a real American tragedy. “Tin soldiers and Nixon’s coming.”
That's not entirely accurate. Nobody should have been shot, but they a few of them had been throwing rocks others taunting them, and one young soldier sadly lost his composure and set off a chain reaction of soldiers unsure if they were being shot at. They were not evil and murderous.
@@redpine8665 I think that was a pretty accurate description of what happened. However, many people believed that the mere presence of the National Guard created a combustible atmosphere. A lot of people thought calling out the National Guard was a huge and unnecessary overreaction to a situation which pitted a bunch of young people against another group of young people. In other words, the authorities did nothing more than pour gasoline on a bunch of sizzling embers. The Kent State Massacre caused even more protests and violence on college campuses around the country.
I’m from Ohio and I was a Sophomore in high school when this happened. I live 50 miles southeast of Kent. My best friend’s sister was a student there and her parents were frantic to get to her and bring her home. No cell phones and communications were down on the campus. It was intense and real. There is still a memorial on the campus where the students were killed but today’s students don’t really know what it was all a out. The Vietnam war was going full boar and Richard Nixon was President. They were just college kids…it was shocking and sad.
Story goes Young and Crosby were hanging out and they heard about Kent State and Neil wrote the song and Crosby called Steven Stills and told him to book a studio right now and they recorded it that or the next day and got the song released within a few days after Neil wrote it.
And yes, Joni Mitchell did the cover art for the album. She and Graham Nash were in a relationship for a couple of years and was with David Crosby before that.
The older I get the deeper the pain. These students and I were about the same age at the time of this horrible incident. At age 73, I have lived a long life.. these young folks were denied.. Tears still flow whenever I hear this song. And see those images..
neil young wrote this song in about 45 minutes after hearing about the 4 kent state students being shot down. they 4 went into a studio and recorded it that afternoon. neil young wrote the song, sang the lead vocals and provided all the lead guitar riffs
I remember this like it was just yesterday. The events that happened at Kent State were just awful, and that photo of that day was gut wrenching to view.
@@raystone3172I don't understand that. Both of these parents are teachers and university graduates in the US. My 14-yr old grandsons in Canada have learned about this mass murder during their 70s history class. My children learned of it at school, none of them in the US.
Neil Young's nearly instant response to the incident at Kent State where National Guard troops opened fire on Vietnam War protesters, killing four students who weren't even involved. I was too young to understand the significance of the song but my older brothers, who were of draft age but thankfully were never selected, sure as heck schooled me. One of the iconic war protest songs of any generation.
I lived in the adjoining town (Stow). I was 5 at the time and I recall my mom who worked as a cashier at the local grocery came home early. As usual, outsiders came in and riled things up with the National guard troops, who are themselves a bunch of 18-22 year old guys doing what their told. Blame the governor for sending them in to cause things to heat up. My high school physics professor (Kent Roosevelt High school) told the story that he was on campus, but it was finals week and he was in a building 1/4 mile away taking a final exam and did not know anything until he got out of the examination and the campus was in turmoil.
Wow this is such a tough song. Back in the 60's and 70's all the war protests at colleges against the Vietnam War. This is a true story, National Guard soldiers killed 4 students at Kent State University, in Kent Ohio. 😢😢😢. Sad situation, but a fantastic song. 💔💔💔💔
NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE - " Cinnamon Girl ( Live 1991 ) in real HD " this is one of the very best songs by Neil Young and his Band performed LIVE extended version absolutely ROCKING and ROLLING 🎸 It's Awesome
Graham Nash deserves some credit for this. He had a rising hit with "Teach Your Children", but when he heard "Ohio" he knew it had to be put out right away, and raised no objection to its release. Of course it was a monster hit, completely overshadowing "Teach Your Children". Its message mattered much more at that time. But in the end both songs became classics.
This song is particularly significant even in today's society. Politicians making their own agenda and not listening to the overwhelming majority that disagrees with them.As was the case back in 1970,there will be a lot of protesting in the next few years when innocent people will be fighting in wars across the world just to appease the political monsters. All of us can only hope when we the people protest what is about to occur that we don't end up losing our lives like the kids did at Kent State over fifty years ago.I only hope history does not repeat itself!
I may have been born more than a decade after the Kent State Massacre, but I still find this to be such a powerful response. The raw, unfiltered anger is so moving, and deservedly so. You may not have been aware of the historical connection, but I can almost guarantee you've seen the iconic picture of the young woman (Mary Ann Vecchio) kneeling over the dead body of one of the victims (Jeffrey Miller). You will never listen to this song the same way again.
Gerald Casale, Bob Lewis and Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo were also in attendence at Kent State at the time, twelve years later they were recording with Neil Young. Chrissy left Ohio because of the Massacre and went to England where she dated Steve Jones and hoped to replace the bassist in his band when bassist Glen Matlock left, instead they let a guy named Sid Vicious take over bass playing duties, Chrissy went on to form her own band, but Neil sang a song where he name dropped the singer of Steve Jones' band Johnny Rotten. Both Neil Young and Chrissy Hynde (as well as CSN and CSNY). The Pretenders had a different song titled "Ohio" about Chrissy returning to Ohio in the 80s.
Gerald Casale, Bob Lewis and Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo were also in attendence at Kent State at the time, twelve years later they were recording with Neil Young. Chrissy left Ohio because of the Massacre and went to England where she dated Steve Jones and hoped to replace the bassist in his band when bassist Glen Matlock left, instead they let a guy named Sid Vicious take over bass playing duties, Chrissy went on to form her own band, but Neil sang a song where he name dropped the singer of Steve Jones' band Johnny Rotten. Both Neil Young and Chrissy Hynde (as well as CSN and CSNY). The Pretenders had a different song titled "Ohio" about Chrissy returning to Ohio in the 80s.
An article in The Guardian in 2010 describes the song as the "greatest protest record" and "the pinnacle of a very 1960s genre". David Crosby reportedly cried after CSNY finished recording the song.
The historical perspective is that on May 4, 1970 the Ohio National Guard shot and ended the lives of four people protesting the Vietnam War. The incident occurred at Kent State University in Kent, OH. Charges eere brought against several Guard members, but none were ever convicted. The families of the victims eventually received a financial settlement.
Backstory: During the demonstrations in the 60s and 70s, the Governor of Ohio, called out the National Guard - who opened fire on the students - killing 4 of them.
I was 17 in 1970 it was a scary time for the next year I thought I was going to Vietnam that was a great song besides this Our Generation had the greatest music
Joni Mitchell was in a relationship with Graham Nash, not surprised her art is on their album cover. Nash wrote a great Crosby Still Nash song called Our House, based on he & Joni living together and being really happy in their little home. Great, great song.
Like everyone else has mentioned, this song is historical both musically and socially. It marks the turning point when the opponents of war began outnumbering the proponents. Allison Krause was one of the students murdered that day. Her sister Laurel Krause is still active on social media, and is co-founder and director of the Kent State Truth Tribunal. ♥
I can remember the night Walter Cronkite reported this. This was the last straw for a lot of Americans. It was a sad and mad day. College kids being shot by other Americans that didn't like their "kind".
There is a video based on the song. Shows still pictures of Kent State Students, Ohio National Guard, and murdered students “lying on the ground”. Gives tribute with pictures and names of the four murdered students near the end of the video.
The story goes that Neil wrote this when he saw this story on the news and the song was released within a few weeks! I agree with what Amber said about Young bringing grit to the band.
This song was a tremendously powerful statement for those of us who were alive when the Kent State shooting occurred. Those of Jay's & Amber's generation may appreciate the song, but they will never feel it the way we did, because whether we were at Kent State or not, we experienced the horror of that moment in our history. "What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground? How can you run when you know?" It is tough to have lived in that moment and have to answer that question.
These people on u tube , who I love, need to read a history book ! How can you not know about Kent State? It is BURNED into the memory of America! Good lord !!!!
I was kid and saw Cronkite talking about this. Too young to understand what was happening, but the shocked look on my elders faces moved me. Those were some days!
A song of protest & anger. 4 college kids shot dead by the National Guard on the Kent State campus in Ohio. Neil Young wrote this incredible song. They recorded it and got it out on radio 10 days after the event.
JAMES TAYLOR & J.D. SOUTHER - " HER TOWN TOO " circa 1981 Fantastic and Amazing song , one of the very best of the very best ever you'll love the sound and voices are phenomenal, a true 80s GEM!!
It was written about Taylor's ex-wife, Carly Simon. The divorce had been amicable,and,Taylor was saddened about how Carly was being treated, by the press and former ' friends'.
I seem to recall that Neil Young wrote it within an hour after reading the news about the students killed by the National Guard at Kent State University. May the students Rest in Peace.
I graduated high school in 1971 & the massacre at Kent State was in May, 1970. The Ohio national guard opened fire on the students protesting the Vietnam war. 4 were killed & 9 more hospitalized. It was a shocking tragedy, felt across the country. It caused a nationwide strike & many colleges & universities closed. The video for this song has clips you guys need to see, so you would feel this more.
I remember hearing this song for the first time camping out in my pup tent in the backyard( 'Burbs) in MA. It still gives me chills. Funny thing is I now live in Ohio.
Beautiful song about a terrible tragedy. The president at the time, Nixon, ordered the National Guard to "keep the peace" at Kent State University in Ohio. The tragic results were 4 students dead, on the campus, of a university. I was 10 years old when it happened and, to rhis date, it still touches me. I grew up.in the Haight Ashbury district of San Francisco in the 60's and '70's. It was so shocking that my school went into lockdown, before that was a term. The hippies were rioting in the Panhandle in Golden Gate Park. My school was 2 blocks away from the Panhandle. This brings back a lot of memories. 😢❤
I was STUNNED when I heard. Went home after school & began pacing in my backyard; my dog thought I was crazy. I was full of 'Righteous Rage' & it fired up my "Protest Spirit" (which all BOOMERS have) even more. Let us continue to 'Rise even Today' in our world against all evil!!!!
It cannot be taken for granted that this country was on the verge of another revolution at this time. In fact if you listen to the lyrics Young is calling for it here. This song basically says "ENOUGH!" Wild times but we made it through.
I lived so much of this song. I was a freshman at Penn State when this happened at Kent State. A very hard and confusing time for my young mind…a sad time for all of us. 😢
The song "Ohio" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY) was written by Neil Young in response to the tragic events that occurred at Kent State University on May 4, 1970. On that day, during a Vietnam War protest, members of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed student demonstrators, killing four and injuring nine others. The song "Ohio" captures the shock, anger, and sadness felt by many in response to the Kent State shootings. It serves as a powerful protest against the violence and injustice of the event, as well as the broader social and political climate of the time. The lyrics of "Ohio" directly reference the tragic incident, with lines such as "Tin soldiers and Nixon coming" and "Four dead in Ohio" reflecting the senseless loss of life and the political leadership's role in the tragedy. Overall, "Ohio" is a poignant reminder of the tumultuous period of the late 1960s and early 1970s, when the Vietnam War and civil unrest deeply divided the United States, and it remains a powerful anthem for social justice and political activism.
Man Amber you caught it. It is a historical event. 4 college students gunned down at Kent State University protesting the Vietnam War. It shouldn't have happened. I was @ 4 and remember my older brothers playing this song. In 1995, my husband & I took our daughter from Ct to Ohio to go to Sea World which is closed now. We drove passed Kent State and all i could do was hear this song.
This is Neil Young’s song about 4 Kent state students who were shot dead by national guard troops for protesting the Vietnam war, incredibly powerful
But the sad irony is that none of the 4 killed were even taking part in the protest. They were simply walking to class when they were struck by bullets from the Ohio National Guard.
My sister was in college in Illinois at the time. Unforgettable song about Vietnam war protestors shot dead by riot police.
We all remember that picture of the girl with her outstretched arms
@@wiltchamberlainisthegoat13 wow I didn’t know that
@@pilesovinylit was the National Guard, not police
Others have commented on the history behind this marvellous protest song over an event that NEVER should have happened, so what I will say instead is, Amber you are a treasure! Without knowing any of what happened nearly fifty four years ago, you still "got it"! You're the best!!
I agree.
Sometimes history forgets that while tragic that 4 students were killed by the Ohio National Guard, many more students were shot at other collages, but thank God, no one else died. Never forget the ones shot but recovered…🙏🏻✌️
@@ScottT-g9v Two years earlier at SC State 3 students were killed & 28 wounded by state police.
@@stevelabonte7923 true, an absolute tragedy, but those were S.C. State Police Officers, supposedly “trained to quell protests.” At Kent State, it was the Ohio National Guard, some the same age as the protesters. But I 100% agree when one life is taken, it’s not worth listening to protesters
There is a very famous Pulitzer Prize winning picture of a girl , arms outstretched and pleading over one of the dead boys asking why??? She was only 14 so what was a fourteen year old doing at a University???
The students who were shot and killed are Allison Krause (19), Jeffrey Glenn Miller (20), Sandra Lee Scheuer (20), and William Knox Schroeder (19) RIP.
Thank you for writing the students names. They are not forgotten. 💔
Two of them weren’t even students. They were just visiting friends.
Miller was shot in the mouth That is why there is a long pool of blood PURE SAD
Thankk you martin! To this day I can't listen to this song with dry eyes.
Allison was friends with my sister and my sister saw the killings.
Just hearing this song, even 54 years later, ENRAGES me.
Takes me right back as well.
The moment I became political as a young teen. RIP Allison, Jeffery, Bill, Sandy.
and still saddens me that 4 innocent students going to class were shot
Damn!! Me too!
makes me cry 64 yr male
Kent State Massacre is one of those incidents that we boomers all remember. Do some research on what happened at Kent State.
Tin soldiers and Nixon coming, the murders at Kent State...
This is a part of history that everyone needs to know about
i know i do!
I have a friend who was a student there that day and described it to me. It really impacted him.
Massacre? Four protesters yelling and screaming at part-time soldiers in the atmosphere of the time. I'm more surprised it only happened this once. Tragedy yes, regrettable?, sure but Massacre? I think you are overstating it. Calling this a Massacre is like calling Jan 6 an insurgency.
Age 67 here. Lived through these time as many of us did. It was a sad day in America and people had enough of the Vietnam war that ended up being a bogus conflict we had no business in. America was lied to by the politicians. Imagine that ? RIP for the 4 Students. It was so senseless as the guard that shot were just young kids too.
Yes. Kinda like now. The situation with Ukraine.
I just learned more about this atrocity..
Specifically 'the hardhat riots' (is that what it was called?) that happened subsequently to the Kent State massacre...
There's a good yt video by Robert Reich that discusses this named: My Ult. Hist. Crash Course
I believe that internationally we are all lied to by our politicians. Some lie more than others, power to the people 🏴🫶🤟🏻🕊🎸
One of the greatest protest songs of all time, if not _the_ greatest!
So is "For What Its Worth" by Buffalo Springfield
One of the greatest reasons to protest of all time.
Alice's Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie is pretty high on the list 🤔✌️
United Snakes also
Monster by Steppenwolf. Peace out.
I heard quite a few stories about this. One person who was shot and became paralyzed for the rest of his life. He was my history teacher my sophomore year up until I graduated. His name is Mr. Dean Kahler. He told our class exactly what happened before the National Guard opened fire on the students. It was pretty interesting to hear first hand all of the stories from someone who was actually their. Not only their but someone who was shot and survived to talk about it.
4 killed and 9 wounded when the Ohio State National Guard opened fire on protesters at a sit-in at Kent State University. None of the guardsmen were ever punished. May the 4th always makes me sad. Sorry to all of you Star Wars fans.
Any surprise it happened under Republican leadership?
Wow, that tragic event happened on May 4th??
I actually didn't realize that
The Guardsmen were following Nixon's orders.
The protesters were throwing rocks at the Guardsmen, tensions rose, and rose. And finally, tragedy struck.
Four young lives ended that day.
The founders of DEVO were art students at Kent State when it happened. The tragedy was the motivating force for the entire "De-Evolution" concept of the band. It's interesting to hear their perspective on what happened there that day. >>> ua-cam.com/video/YfeLBV3J6NI/v-deo.html
stephen stills said that adding neil young to csn was like adding nitroglycerine to the mix.
Written, recorded, released and on the radio within 10 days of the event. This said what we all felt, and it was necessary, more important than just a song : )
Yes, this showed that their brutality had no limits, if people didn't fall line, they would kill them. What were a few college students when they had already sent thousand to die in an unnecessary trumped- up war.
And banned from many radio stations at the time for being too critical of Nixon, including some stations in Ohio.
Our child is a student at Kent State. Their main classroom building still has bullet holes from the shooting.
Never forget! I was in the Air Force when this happened. That picture of Mary Ann Vecchio kneeling over the dead body of Jeffrey Miller. Such a tragedy!
That was the same week as my birthday!!! So sad !!
@@daveyhouston that WAS my birthday. My 10th bday and my family was driving thru Ohio to Michigan when this all happened. I was so effected by it, even as a 10 year old, that I read everything I could about it in high school and college. Eery year my bday has come around, I think of Kent State.
Every time I still hear this song and it gives me chills. I am 67 yrs young and this is such a vibe of rebellion! Should have more of this today.
chills for me yoo.
Right on ✊
Yes! We BOOMERS, the greatest generation. Let us CONTINUE to RISE UP Today!!!!! in the 'same spirit' with which we were born. Especially Now . . . more than ever!!!!
I'm from Cleveland and worked downtown during the trials. Very sad.
We do , did you miss the BLM riots or the massive protests for the Palestinians. Maybe they just protest different things ?
They actually recorded this and got it on the air, even though they had another song still on the charts. Released right after American National Guard shot into a crowd of protesting students at Kent State in 1970. (Killing four)
Within three weeks it was in regular air play in the US and Canada.
The Kent State Massacre took place on May 4, 1970, during a protest march on the grounds of Kent State University, at the height of the Vietnam War. Neil Young wrote the song in the days after the incident after reading about the killings and seeing photographs of the victims in Life Magazine. The band got together, rehearsed it a few times, and recorded it two weeks after the shootings. It was on the radio and in stores the following month, June 1970. The simple style and raw passionate emotions reinforced the horror of the shootings in many people's minds, and it landed like an atom bomb that summer. Arguably the greatest protest song ever written.
There's a timeless picture of a young lady on her knees crying and it looks like she's screaming, "Why?"
So powerful!
That poor girl received countless death threats just because she was compassionate. She was just passing through visiting a friend. 😢
Her mamę is Mary Veechio
I remember that picture....very powerful.
I've seen it, so sad.
It was taken by a photography major at the University and he ended up winning the Pulitzer. Even today it's shocking to see poor Jeffrey laid out where he was killed while this poor teen is horror struck.
Note, One of the dead and a few of the wounded students were only crossing the campus leaving a class and going to their next one.
Not even involved in the protest. The Guard shot at a distance of over 200 feet away from the near end of the protest..
Neil Young wrote this song in about 20 minutes after reading the paper about Kent State. Awesome song
Yes, and it was out on the market in just over a week. An amazingly fast response to the tragedy.
Neil Young is him.💪
Will never forget that. Shocked the nation. I was 16. Unarmed college students protesting the Vietnam war....the National Guard opened fire on them. Horrible.
Some were not even protesting. Walking to class . . . nothing more. Slaughtered
54 years later and this still gives me the chills. To me the sound of the guitar in the solo so captures the pain and anguish of the loss of the 4 souls lost to such a senseless tragedy.
Kent State Massacre in Ohio. 4 unarmed students protesting the announced expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia by the National Guard. 67 rounds in 13 seconds. My uncle was on campus as a student at the time. National tragedy and national outrage followed.
Thank you for mentioning UNARMED. 😢 😢❤
54% of Americans surveyed blamed the students and of course Nixon was elected in a landslide victory after this incident. What does that say about public opinion at the time?
@jackieblue1267 Same thing as this time we live in...when will people learn? So sad.
The students killed were not part of the protest. They were passing between classes when they were shot to death.
Minimal answer: At an anti-war protest the National Guard troops shoot and killed four student protesters. The rage this produced inspired Neil to go home and immediately write this song, they went and recorded it that night and were pushing it on radios the next day
The only correction is I believe that the students that were killed were NOT part of the protest! They just happened to be walking across the campus at the wrong time😢😢
@@bernardsalvatore1929 Half right, both times. Two were protesting, two were crossing the parking lot and looking to see what the commotion was.
None of the students were ever within 75 feet of the Guard. And the only student who might possibly have been armed was a police informant.
Young wrote it overnight and the band got together 4 days later to record it. Before 3 weeks had passed it was in major rotation on almost every radio station in the country.
@@Jessica_Roth More to this than meets the eye and different from what we were told.
We need that fire and intensity again now.
Another good Vietnam era protest song was Buffalo Springfield For What It's Worth. Definitely worth the listen. Great review as usual. Check out Kent St history 1970.
Great song.
I think Canada was in the Vietnam war because Neil Young was in this group to.
For what its worth is not about vietnam...about curfew the kids didn't like on the Sunset Strip in L.A.
Yes, the album cover was done by Joni Mitchell who had been in relationships with both Graham Nash and David Crosby. CSN did a terrific cover of her song, “Woodstock.” And she is a very talented painter in addition to her musical gifts.
CSN&Y. The killer lead guitar is all Young.
Joni Mitchell has been a long-time friend to fellow Canadian Neil Young.@@mirandak3273
Joni Mitchell's artwork appeared on the cover of "So Far", the first CSN/CSNY greatest hits album released in 1974.
She was also the inspiration for the song Our House.
Hard to pick a favorite child, but "Woodstock" is probably my favorite song by CSN. They did the impossible and made a Joni song their own. And Jon'is version of course. I also like the Matthew's Southern Comfort version.
One of the most important songs from 60s America. How could a commentary like this also be such great piece of music too? Amazing.
One of the most important songs of a historical nature ever written.
I LOVE that you "youngsters" are delving into this very powerful era of music~ thank you!!! And yes, Joni did the album cover art!!!
Allison Krause, age 19
Jeffrey Glenn Miller, age 20
Sandra Lee Scheuer, age 20
William Knox Schroeder, age 19
They were 9-10 years older than me when they died. I look at their age now and it strikes me that they were just barely out of childhood.
What these young individuals could have gone on to teach and nurture others about our world.
rip ALL
May 4th 1970.........A definite turning point in the American people deciding that they had had enough of the Viet Nam war.
Rest In Peace Allison Krause 19,Jeffrey Glen Miller 20,Sandra Lee Scheuer 20,William Knox Schroeder 19
Chrissie Hynde was there and one pf her friends was one of the victims
This song was written, recorded and on the radio within a week of the shootings at Kent State.
Lots of anti-war protests back in the early 70s. This was a protest at Kent State regarding expanding the Vietnam War into Cambodia. Ohio National Guard soldiers opened fire on the protesters killing 4 students.
such an important song during such turbulent times.
This is a very, very cultural significant song. It’s called “OHIO”, but some people know it as “4 DEAD IN OHIO” because of the 4 completely INNOCENT Kent State students who were killed by the National Guard. They were simply walking in between classes when they were fatally shot. The band made a remarkably great song out of a real American tragedy. “Tin soldiers and Nixon’s coming.”
Tin Soldiers
I always thought it was "TIN soldiers and Nixon's coming " I could be wrong.
@@denpea-mm8zr You are right it is Tin Soldiers.
That's not entirely accurate. Nobody should have been shot, but they a few of them had been throwing rocks others taunting them, and one young soldier sadly lost his composure and set off a chain reaction of soldiers unsure if they were being shot at. They were not evil and murderous.
@@redpine8665 I think that was a pretty accurate description of what happened. However, many people believed that the mere presence of the National Guard created a combustible atmosphere. A lot of people thought calling out the National Guard was a huge and unnecessary overreaction to a situation which pitted a bunch of young people against another group of young people. In other words, the authorities did nothing more than pour gasoline on a bunch of sizzling embers. The Kent State Massacre caused even more protests and violence on college campuses around the country.
I’m from Ohio and I was a Sophomore in high school when this happened. I live 50 miles southeast of Kent. My best friend’s sister was a student there and her parents were frantic to get to her and bring her home. No cell phones and communications were down on the campus. It was intense and real. There is still a memorial on the campus where the students were killed but today’s students don’t really know what it was all a out. The Vietnam war was going full boar and Richard Nixon was President. They were just college kids…it was shocking and sad.
My older brother saw them in concert later in 1970 or 71 and at the very end of the song live, Neil Young cried out "WHY" repeatedly.
Story goes Young and Crosby were hanging out and they heard about Kent State and Neil wrote the song and Crosby called Steven Stills and told him to book a studio right now and they recorded it that or the next day and got the song released within a few days after Neil wrote it.
And yes, Joni Mitchell did the cover art for the album. She and Graham Nash were in a relationship for a couple of years and was with David Crosby before that.
The older I get the deeper the pain. These students and I were about the same age at the time of this horrible incident. At age 73, I have lived a long life.. these young folks were denied.. Tears still flow whenever I hear this song. And see those images..
Me to😢
As parents, you want to listen to "Our House". Yes that's Joni's painting.
neil young wrote this song in about 45 minutes after hearing about the 4 kent state students being shot down. they 4 went into a studio and recorded it that afternoon. neil young wrote the song, sang the lead vocals and provided all the lead guitar riffs
One of my best friends was a student at Kent State at that time. This song always hits me.
"hold fast" (1 Thess 5 :21)
Remember this event well, sadly. May 4th 1970, Kent State, Ohio. Shook us, as teens, to the bone. Protests continued, just a sad time. 😢
I remember this like it was just yesterday. The events that happened at Kent State were just awful, and that photo of that day was gut wrenching to view.
That day changed my view of government and what can happen here.
Oh yes!
This is the first time I ever saw anyone smiling and so happy while listening to this song.
It waz a groovy stack of wax!
@@raystone3172I don't understand that. Both of these parents are teachers and university graduates in the US. My 14-yr old grandsons in Canada have learned about this mass murder during their 70s history class. My children learned of it at school, none of them in the US.
Neil Young's nearly instant response to the incident at Kent State where National Guard troops opened fire on Vietnam War protesters, killing four students who weren't even involved. I was too young to understand the significance of the song but my older brothers, who were of draft age but thankfully were never selected, sure as heck schooled me. One of the iconic war protest songs of any generation.
I lived in the adjoining town (Stow). I was 5 at the time and I recall my mom who worked as a cashier at the local grocery came home early. As usual, outsiders came in and riled things up with the National guard troops, who are themselves a bunch of 18-22 year old guys doing what their told. Blame the governor for sending them in to cause things to heat up. My high school physics professor (Kent Roosevelt High school) told the story that he was on campus, but it was finals week and he was in a building 1/4 mile away taking a final exam and did not know anything until he got out of the examination and the campus was in turmoil.
Wow this is such a tough song. Back in the 60's and 70's all the war protests at colleges against the Vietnam War. This is a true story, National Guard soldiers killed 4 students at Kent State University, in Kent Ohio. 😢😢😢. Sad situation, but a fantastic song. 💔💔💔💔
Fun fact - CSN was formed in Joni’s living room in Laurel Canyon, where Nash met Crosby and Stills for the first time and they started harmonising.
NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE - " Cinnamon Girl ( Live 1991 ) in real HD " this is one of the very best songs by Neil Young and his Band performed LIVE extended version absolutely ROCKING and ROLLING 🎸 It's Awesome
Graham Nash deserves some credit for this. He had a rising hit with "Teach Your Children", but when he heard "Ohio" he knew it had to be put out right away, and raised no objection to its release. Of course it was a monster hit, completely overshadowing "Teach Your Children". Its message mattered much more at that time. But in the end both songs became classics.
Some of the dead and injured students weren't even part of the protest.The were just walking between classes
This song is particularly significant even in today's society. Politicians making their own agenda and not listening to the overwhelming majority that disagrees with them.As was the case back in 1970,there will be a lot of protesting in the next few years when innocent people will be fighting in wars across the world just to appease the political monsters. All of us can only hope when we the people protest what is about to occur that we don't end up losing our lives like the kids did at Kent State over fifty years ago.I only hope history does not repeat itself!
It would be really amazing if you did a quick 30 -40 sec vid when you find out what Neil wrote this incredibly powerful song about.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I may have been born more than a decade after the Kent State Massacre, but I still find this to be such a powerful response. The raw, unfiltered anger is so moving, and deservedly so. You may not have been aware of the historical connection, but I can almost guarantee you've seen the iconic picture of the young woman (Mary Ann Vecchio) kneeling over the dead body of one of the victims (Jeffrey Miller). You will never listen to this song the same way again.
The Kent State murders was where the sixties ended and the seventies began.
Little known fact ....Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders was attending Kent State at the time of the massacre, and knew one of the victims.
Gerald Casale, Bob Lewis and Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo were also in attendence at Kent State at the time, twelve years later they were recording with Neil Young. Chrissy left Ohio because of the Massacre and went to England where she dated Steve Jones and hoped to replace the bassist in his band when bassist Glen Matlock left, instead they let a guy named Sid Vicious take over bass playing duties, Chrissy went on to form her own band, but Neil sang a song where he name dropped the singer of Steve Jones' band Johnny Rotten. Both Neil Young and Chrissy Hynde (as well as CSN and CSNY). The Pretenders had a different song titled "Ohio" about Chrissy returning to Ohio in the 80s.
My daughter & got to see CS&N when she was 6. What's the only thing she remembered out of that whole concert? "Four dead in O-hi-O,.."
Chrissy Hynde, lead singer of The Pretenders was reportedly there as a student and witnessed the protests and shootings as well.
Gerald Casale, Bob Lewis and Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo were also in attendence at Kent State at the time, twelve years later they were recording with Neil Young. Chrissy left Ohio because of the Massacre and went to England where she dated Steve Jones and hoped to replace the bassist in his band when bassist Glen Matlock left, instead they let a guy named Sid Vicious take over bass playing duties, Chrissy went on to form her own band, but Neil sang a song where he name dropped the singer of Steve Jones' band Johnny Rotten. Both Neil Young and Chrissy Hynde (as well as CSN and CSNY). The Pretenders had a different song titled "Ohio" about Chrissy returning to Ohio in the 80s.
Perhaps Joe Walsh was a student at Kent State during this time as well?
@@chestrockwell8328yes he has said that he knew two of the four that were murdered
Jay & Amber, you'll love CSNY's "Our House", "Find The Cost Of Freedom" and "Deja Vu"!!!
Nash wrote Our House while living with Joni Mitchell!❤❤
Did you forget ? "Give Peace a Chance"
Kent State alum, the campus (and all regional campuses) honor the memory of the students every May 4th.
An article in The Guardian in 2010 describes the song as the "greatest protest record" and "the pinnacle of a very 1960s genre".
David Crosby reportedly cried after CSNY finished recording the song.
The historical perspective is that on May 4, 1970 the Ohio National Guard shot and ended the lives of four people protesting the Vietnam War.
The incident occurred at Kent State University in Kent, OH.
Charges eere brought against several Guard members, but none were ever convicted.
The families of the victims eventually received a financial settlement.
Backstory: During the demonstrations in the 60s and 70s, the Governor of Ohio, called out the National Guard - who opened fire on the students - killing 4 of them.
The very day after Tricky Dick went on national television and called the protestors across the nation "bums".
Burn in Hell,Dick,burn in Hell.
I was 17 in 1970 it was a scary time for the next year I thought I was going to Vietnam that was a great song besides this Our Generation had the greatest music
If I remember correctly, David Crosby said there were tears in the studio when they finished recording.
It was my first year in college. I will never forget that day. Even in our conservative campus, protests began soon after.
Brilliant deduction you hit the song Perfect without knowing what the song was about Bravo😊❤
Joni Mitchell was in a relationship with Graham Nash, not surprised her art is on their album cover. Nash wrote a great Crosby Still Nash song called Our House, based on he & Joni living together and being really happy in their little home. Great, great song.
Like everyone else has mentioned, this song is historical both musically and socially. It marks the turning point when the opponents of war began outnumbering the proponents. Allison Krause was one of the students murdered that day. Her sister Laurel Krause is still active on social media, and is co-founder and director of the Kent State Truth Tribunal. ♥
I am so impressed that Amber felt the gravity of this tune. She listened and understood the message. Sad times I remember in my teens. ✌🏽
I can remember the night Walter Cronkite reported this. This was the last straw for a lot of Americans. It was a sad and mad day. College kids being shot by other Americans that didn't like their "kind".
That was the clincher for me. People who actually believed the protesters got what was coming to them. Disgusting.✌️
They were kids shooting other kids.
@@gmxkey no. It wasn't just kids in the National Guard.
Do your research, it wasn't planned.
@@Nite37 who said it was planned?
There is a video based on the song. Shows still pictures of Kent State Students, Ohio National Guard, and murdered students “lying on the ground”. Gives tribute with pictures and names of the four murdered students near the end of the video.
The story goes that Neil wrote this when he saw this story on the news and the song was released within a few weeks! I agree with what Amber said about Young bringing grit to the band.
This song was a tremendously powerful statement for those of us who were alive when the Kent State shooting occurred. Those of Jay's & Amber's generation may appreciate the song, but they will never feel it the way we did, because whether we were at Kent State or not, we experienced the horror of that moment in our history. "What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground? How can you run when you know?" It is tough to have lived in that moment and have to answer that question.
These people on u tube , who I love, need to read a history book ! How can you not know about Kent State? It is BURNED into the memory of America! Good lord !!!!
one of the vietnam war era's greatest protest songs I can still hear neil young's unique guitar tones ringing in my ears⚛😀
David Crosby's cries of "WHY ?!?" on the songs outro always gives me chills to this day .
I was kid and saw Cronkite talking about this. Too young to understand what was happening, but the shocked look on my elders faces moved me. Those were some days!
We've been thru alot of stuff
Surprised that none of the comments has suggested Marrakesh Express" from Crosby, Stills & Nash's first album released in 1969.
Oh! Exciting to see this. A piece of history. Thanks for bringing it. Here we go! :)
A song of protest & anger. 4 college kids shot dead by the National Guard on the Kent State campus in Ohio. Neil Young wrote this incredible song. They recorded it and got it out on radio 10 days after the event.
JAMES TAYLOR & J.D. SOUTHER - " HER TOWN TOO " circa 1981 Fantastic and Amazing song , one of the very best of the very best ever you'll love the sound and voices are phenomenal, a true 80s GEM!!
It was written about Taylor's ex-wife, Carly Simon. The divorce had been amicable,and,Taylor was saddened about how Carly was being treated, by the press and former ' friends'.
He gave CSN a sharper "edge" and is still why we comment on decades old songs, the questions they raise have yet to be answered.
I seem to recall that Neil Young wrote it within an hour after reading the news about the students killed by the National Guard at Kent State University. May the students Rest in Peace.
One of the advantages of having Neil in the group is that we get to enjoy the interplay between two great guitarists, Stephen Stills and Neil Young.
I graduated high school in 1971 & the massacre at Kent State was in May, 1970. The Ohio national guard opened fire on the students protesting the Vietnam war. 4 were killed & 9 more hospitalized. It was a shocking tragedy, felt across the country. It caused a nationwide strike & many colleges & universities closed. The video for this song has clips you guys need to see, so you would feel this more.
This song has the record - for being written - recorded - and played on the radio - all in about a weeks time.
I remember hearing this song for the first time camping out in my pup tent in the backyard( 'Burbs) in MA. It still gives me chills. Funny thing is I now live in Ohio.
Beautiful song about a terrible tragedy. The president at the time, Nixon, ordered the National Guard to "keep the peace" at Kent State University in Ohio. The tragic results were 4 students dead, on the campus, of a university. I was 10 years old when it happened and, to rhis date, it still touches me.
I grew up.in the Haight Ashbury district of San Francisco in the 60's and '70's. It was so shocking that my school went into lockdown, before that was a term. The hippies were rioting in the Panhandle in Golden Gate Park. My school was 2 blocks away from the Panhandle. This brings back a lot of memories. 😢❤
Very powerful song for sure. I remember when this happened.
I was STUNNED when I heard. Went home after school & began pacing in my backyard; my dog thought I was crazy. I was full of 'Righteous Rage' & it fired up my "Protest Spirit" (which all BOOMERS have) even more. Let us continue to 'Rise even Today' in our world against all evil!!!!
It cannot be taken for granted that this country was on the verge of another revolution at this time. In fact if you listen to the lyrics Young is calling for it here. This song basically says "ENOUGH!" Wild times but we made it through.
So many years later and this brought me to tears. I was quite young when this occurred but had a big impact on me.
I lived so much of this song. I was a freshman at Penn State when this happened at Kent State. A very hard and confusing time for my young mind…a sad time for all of us. 😢
The song "Ohio" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY) was written by Neil Young in response to the tragic events that occurred at Kent State University on May 4, 1970. On that day, during a Vietnam War protest, members of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed student demonstrators, killing four and injuring nine others.
The song "Ohio" captures the shock, anger, and sadness felt by many in response to the Kent State shootings. It serves as a powerful protest against the violence and injustice of the event, as well as the broader social and political climate of the time.
The lyrics of "Ohio" directly reference the tragic incident, with lines such as "Tin soldiers and Nixon coming" and "Four dead in Ohio" reflecting the senseless loss of life and the political leadership's role in the tragedy.
Overall, "Ohio" is a poignant reminder of the tumultuous period of the late 1960s and early 1970s, when the Vietnam War and civil unrest deeply divided the United States, and it remains a powerful anthem for social justice and political activism.
growing up in Ohio this has special meaning for us. Ohio guardsmen killed 4 students at a protest. Tragic
Man Amber you caught it. It is a historical event. 4 college students gunned down at Kent State University protesting the Vietnam War. It shouldn't have happened. I was @ 4 and remember my older brothers playing this song. In 1995, my husband & I took our daughter from Ct to Ohio to go to Sea World which is closed now. We drove passed Kent State and all i could do was hear this song.
Such an important song.
This is one of the most powerful protest songs ever written. Thanks, Neil Young.