“The first Earth Day was a protest of 20 million people, mostly hippies. The 51st Earth Day, which occurred on April 22, was celebrated by a billion (with a B) protesters across 192 nations on all seven continents,” said Key West photographer Ralph De Palma after attending the Earth Day Jam, a concert by That Hippie Band at Key West’s Coffee Butler Amphitheater.
“That Hippie Band was on fire,” De Palma added. “”Every song they played was a huge ‘60s hit. They covered 20 different gold-record artists in a single show. Will Hoppie did a Woodstock version of Joe Cocker’s ‘With A Little Help From My Friends. Emily Springsteen did a full-throated version of Janis Joplin’s ‘Mercedes Benz’ and Gary Hempsey, with the harmonies of everyone, did justice to ‘Teach Your Children Well’ by Crosby, Stills, & Nash.”
The show also included song lyrics from Key West writer Shel Silverstein’s “Where the Sidewalk Ends.”
And perhaps the best news of all — they’ll be back next year for the 52nd Earth Day Jam.
“Come on, people now, smile on your brother….”
