Thirty five years ago, on May 4, 1970, an anti-war student demonstration at Kent State University, Ohio left four students dead, one paralyzed, and eight others wounded.
The demonstration ended when the National Guard fired into the crowd of students. The shootings ended the lives of four students: Jeffrey Miller, Allison Krause, William Schroeder, and Sandra Scheuer.
Shortly thereafter, Neil Young wrote what would become an anthem of a generation — the song "Ohio" in memory of the "Four dead in Ohio".
Recorded within days of the tragic killings with Crosby, Stills & Nash, the song has demonstrated staying power and is universally recognized in conjunction with anniversaries.
Never before had a song gone so quickly from an event, to the radio, to becoming a soundtrack for the Vietnam War generation.
When asked about releasing the song "Ohio", Graham Nash responded:
- "Four young men and women had their lives taken from them while lawfully protesting this outrageous government action. We are going back to keep awareness alive in the minds of all students, not only in America, but worldwide…to be vigilant and ready to stand and be counted… and to make sure that the powers of the politicians do not take precedent over the right of lawful protest."
Jimmy McDonough writes in the Neil Young Biography "Shakey" about the lyrics and music of "Ohio": "In ten lines, Young captured the fear, frustration and anger felt by the youth across the country and set it to a lumbering D-modal death march that hammered home the dread."
The events in Ohio seemed to mark the end of the Woodstock nation. From Song Facts:
- "Crosby once said that Young calling Nixon's name out in the lyrics was 'the bravest thing I ever heard.' Crosby noted that at the time, it seemed like those who stood up to Nixon, like those at Kent State, were shot. Neil Young did not seemed scared at all."
For more on the song, the historic aftermath of its release, and a photo chronology, see Lyrics Analysis of Neil Young's song "Ohio".
Also, see Blogcritics' Eric Olsen's Kent State, May 4 1970: Why We Will Not See a Draft.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
thanks Thrasher, it's come around again, a very sad day in our history, and I'm in the Kent neighborhood (maybe 15 miles) so it hangs even heavier around here.
2 - thrasher
Eric - 35 years ago? Hard to believe.
There will be some memorial concerts tomorrow. Will let you know details.
Thrasher
3 - Russ
Where's the outrage for the injustices, violence, aggression against humanity and mother earth perpetrated daily by the current administration ? What happened to the outrage? Why are there not thousands of people taking to the streets on a regular basis to bring down this corrupt corporate dictatorship ? It's one thing to commemorate four heros who died 35 years ago, what about the thousands of innocents who died in Iraq since 2003 ?
4 - Dave Nalle
Russ - perhaps because most Americans have some common sense and don't live in a delusional fantasy world of paranoia and unreasoning hatred?
Dave
5 - Dan Coogan
Wow, hard to believe it's been 35 years. I grew up in Kent from 1967 - 1988 and was about 7 years old when the shootings happen. I don't remember much of that day, but I do remember the National Guard being in the elementry school I attended, as it was the closest one in the vacinity of the university. I graduated from Kent State in 1988 and remember being at the 10 year anniversary in 1980.
6 - Thrasher
It's interesting to note which radio stations are playing "Ohio" and those that are not. Reports are coming in that there is wide spread airplay across "Ohio" - naturally. Elsewhere, a big yawn.
So where's the outrage? Oh, most folks are outraged by -- get this -- gas prices!
Maybe folks will take to the streets again?
7 - Eric Olsen
the price of gas hits us where it counts
8 - Dave Nalle
The gas price is certainly more present in most peoples minds than tragic deaths 35 years ago. 35 years is a long, long time in the memory life of the public.
Dave
9 - Holly
from here:
Country Is DEAD - Went To Lunch With Coworkers - NOBODY Knew KENT STATE!!!
Our country is mentally dead.
4 of us go out for lunch. 3 of us are in our 30's, one is in his late 40's
small talk....
Me: Well this is the anniversary of Kent State
Friend #1: "Anniversary of WHAT"?
Me: Kent State
Friend #2: "Kent State"?
Me: You know, the SHOOTINGS at Kent State?
Friend #1: "What are you talking about"?
Me: Anti-war protests, Nixon calling out the National Guard, etc...
Friend #2: "Never heard of it"
Me: You are KIDDING RIGHT?
Friend #1: "I haven't heard about it either. Its not in the history books."
Me: OF COURSE IT IS! You are the same age as me and you NEVER KNEW ABOUT KENT STATE??????
Friend #1: "I know NOTHING about it! My wife is a school teacher (English) i'll call her cell phone and ask HER if she has heard of it"
he calls wife (granted, she is a YOUNG 26 but still....)
Friend #1: "***** says she has never heard of Kent State either"
Friend #4 THIS guy SHOULD be old enough to remember "I don't recall anything you are talking about but i'll 'look it up' when we get back to the office"
Me: You have to be KIDDING ME!
i'm done. i am ABSOLUTELY FUCKING DONE!
10 - mb
i was a student at UC (Cinti) in 1970; the date of may 4 is forever engraved on my mind and i am thankful for a place to express my sadness over this tragedy ... check out the "4 Dead in Ohio" site for some insightful thoughts on neil young's song ... all i have to hear is the opening chords and i am there all over again ...
11 - Thrasher
Holly - it is pretty unbelievable that today's college students have never heard of the Kent State shootings or its history.
And it is a statement of our times that most students are far more interested in court cases involving filesharing than cases involving the right of free assembly.
ps - any good mp3's lately?
12 - Dave
I am 60 years old. I remember the Kent state tragedy like it was yesterday. It still enrages me. We know now, and we knew then that the Vietnam war was wrong. Politicians are insane at times. The protesters were the only sane people in the country at that time, they knew when to question authority. When will we learn? Things have not changed much in all these years. We are a nation of complacent hedonists. GOD HELP US!!!