While Phish and The Disco Biscuits are both acclaimed for their mind-blowing live performances and impressive instrumental control, both groups recognize that their responsibilities as musicians go beyond delivering powerful music. Accordingly, both groups use their influence as opinion leaders to promote charity and good will to their fans through associated non-profit organizations.
Recognizing their position of influence, Phish has initiated a series of chartable organizations that support humanitarian and environmental wellness. For example, “The Water Wheel Foundation” was established by Phish in 1997 to oversee the band’s charitable efforts, and to allocate raised funds to worthy causes (Phish, Waterwheel). One tier of The Waterwheel Foundation is the “Touring Division” that has donated over $575,00 dollars to more than 300 local charities from the towns in which Phish has toured (Phish, Touring). Additionally, Phish has donated all royalties from the sales of Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream to the “Lake Champlain Initiative,” summing hundreds of thousands of dollars that go toward cleaning and conservation efforts that help guarantee a clean source of water (Phish, Champlain).
Similarly, The Disco Biscuits recognized their opportunity to give back when bassist Marc Brownstein co-founded “Headcount” in 2004, a non-profit organization that registers voters at concerts and aims to make “civic participation part of the live music experience” (Headcount, About). Brownstein has been extremely active in alerting young fans that their voice matters, and whether during performances, at live press conferences, or via online promotion, the bass player has educated Biscuits fans that by aggregating their support, they can really make a difference. With an impressive reputation at many music festivals and concert venues, The Disco Biscuits have been able to put Headcount in the spotlight, and expose their audiences to the issues the organization represents.
When evaluating such charitable efforts though, one must recognize that Phish and The Disco Biscuits only represent a small portion of the non-profit support that the greater rock and roll community has contributed to society.
One such example is the “Rex Foundation,” a non-profit initiative spearheaded by the Grateful Dead in 1983 meant to “benefit the broader community and the broader good” (Rex Foundation, Mission). Still active today, The Rex Foundation allows its members to go beyond individual requests and provide widespread support for “creative endeavors in the arts, sciences, and education.” Making good on their promise, The Rex Foundation has already donated over $8.2 million dollars to over 1000 deserving recipients (Rex Foundation, Mission).
Guitarist David Gilmour of the psychedelic rock group Pink Floyd also used his star power for the betterment of society when he refused payment for his performance at Live 8 in 2005. As the concert was meant to pressure members of the G8 (a meeting of the eight richest countries in the world) to aid impoverished African countries, Gilmour stated that he would not profit from his performance, as he argued that the money “should be used to save lives” (Associated Press).
Adopting goals that benefit society and raise awareness for both global and local issues is an extremely important element of the rock experience as it relates an image to fans that goes beyond intoxication and guitar solos. These bands recognize their status as opinion leaders for their loyal audience, consequently allowing them to emphasize that music is really about good nature and aiding those in need, not about selfishness or anarchy. As a result, such groups actively contribute to the formation of a conscious, aware, and motivated fan base that can enjoy the musical experience with a higher purpose in mind.
References:
Associated Press. (2005, July 06). Gilmour to donate live 8 profits to charity. MSNBC Entertainment.
http://www.headcount.org/about.asp
http://www.phish.com/waterwheel/index.php
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