Benefit Concert in Santa Monica

(L-R) Fred Ross, Helen Chávez, and César Chávez are listening to a benefit concert. Photo by Emmon Clarke.

Joan Baez was approached by LeRoy Chatfield to perform at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium with the proceeds, $75,000, going to the United Farm Worker Organizing Committee (UFWOC). “Both performances were sold out within hours when tickets were available,” recalled Chatfield. Baez’s performances, on Friday, December 16, 1966, were preceded, according to the Los Angeles Times, by Maffitt and Davies and by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Emmon Clarke’s photos of the event also include images of Tim Buckley.

César Chávez holding the farmworker flag at a benefit concert, Santa Monica, 1966

César Chávez is standing on stage at a benefit concert holding a UFW flag dedicated to music impresario Doug Weston (left), owner of the famous The Troubadour nightclub in West Hollywood. The flag says: “to Doug Weston ¡HUELGA! 16 Dec 1966.” Weston’s nightclub was important in launching the careers of famous performers like Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Carol King, and others.

Joan Baez singing at a benefit concert, Santa Monica, 1966

Joan Baez performing in a benefit concert for the UFWOC. She was approached by LeRoy Chatfield to perform at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium with the proceeds, $75,000, going to the United Farm Worker Organizing Committee. “Both performances were sold out within hours when tickets were available,” recalled Chatfield. Baez’s performances, on Friday, Dec. 16, 1966, were preceded, according to the Los Angeles Times, by Maffitt and Davies and by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Emmon Clarke’s photos of the event also include images of Tim Buckley.

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