What's so funny about peace, love and understanding?

Jackson Browne, Alice Cooper, Nils Lofgren and more team up to fight the hate

With the crass, “I’ve got mine” mentality in the music industry today it’s easy to think everyone’s just in it for their own glory, be it Kanye West’s megalomania or Miley Cyrus’ latest pole-dance.



And then there are those who still give back – Bruce Springsteen’s constant support of community food banks, Dave Matthews instantly deciding to do a benefit show as Hurricane Katrina was happening and more.


In the wake of the horrendous political shootings in Tucson, Jackson Browne, Alice Cooper, Nils Lofgren, David Crosby & Graham Nash, Keb’ Mo’ and more have stepped up for a March 10 benefit to tone down the violence and rhetoric.

The press release on Browne’s website notes that “the event is a fundraiser for the non-profit Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, benefiting the newly established Fund for Civility, Respect, and Understanding.” It’ll be held at the Tucson Convention Center (also known as the Tucson Arena) and the city is donating the use of the building for free, much like Denver allowed Matthews to use Red Rocks for free for his Katrina benefit.

Also on the bill are Sam Moore, Ozomatli, Calexico and other guests. It’s particularly fitting that two of the headliners, Cooper and Lofgren, call Arizona their home, and Browne co-wrote a particularly famous song about a road trip with a stop in Winslow, Arizona.


The Jan. 8 shooting of Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and others at a community forum has rocked the state, which has been the subject of national controversy over immigration and violence in politics. Ironically, some of the most politically non-violent acts in music, including Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, come from Arizona as well. Guest speakers will include Mark Kelly, Giffords husband.

Reached by phone today, Cooper - who has kept his career separate from politics - said the benefit was not a political statement but a chance to reach out and help. He was happy to help organize it with Browne and his other musical friends.

"It's home state for us. I don't look at it as political at all. It's humanitarian," Cooper said. "It goes beyond political. It goes to just common sense."

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Arizona time on Saturday, Feb. 19, through Ticketmaster and the convention center’s box office, ranging from $25 to $250.