When I learned that Joan Baez was coming to Idaho Falls, I knew it was an event I couldn’t afford to miss, even if I literally couldn’t afford it. My mother and I bought tickets as soon as possible and we invited my dad and my brother to come along too. I also thought it would be cool if I could get a vinyl copy of one her albums to have her sign if I was lucky enough to meet her. At first I had my doubts, but coincidentally, as the events earlier that day played out, my family and I showed up an hour before the show. As we were circling the streets trying to find our way to the Colonial Theater, we approached a crowded street corner. We couldn’t believe it. It was Joan Baez having a friendly conversation with some local Vietnam War veterans who were protesting her show. As we approached the crowd, I interrupted her conversation and she was gracious enough to sign my vinyl copy of Diamonds and Rust. I bashfully thanked her and told her how much I loved her music. She was even gracious enough to sign one of the protester’s signs, but she insisted that she sign only the back. As the crowd dispersed and as Joan Baez walked away, we were all in shock to what just happened.
A week later, the Post Register, printed an article of the event. As I read it, I discovered that I had only caught the tail end of the conversation. What I had thought was a friendly conversation had actually started out as an argument. The article mentioned that she was in tears afterwards, but I never would have known because she had composed herself so well. During the show, Joan Baez even dedicated a song to the protesters, calling them her friends. I can’t help but think what a beautiful, classy and gracious woman.
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