In 1967 the Vietnam War was in full swing. And so was the draft. Countless young men were called to serve their country, and did so, either willingly or not so willingly, because they felt they had to. Others, felt the was was unjust and they refused to fight in something they didn't believe in, especially when it wasn't their choice to go.
One of these men, who refused to fight after being drafted was none other than Carl Wilson. You might have heard of the band he was in, it was called The Beach Boys.
Wilson was called to duty on this day in 1967, but turned the offer down. His decision set off a huge legal battle that lasted more than five years. In the end, Wilson was cleared of all charges.
Evading the draft was something many young men did at this time, Wilson was far from alone in his actions, but because of his fame and notoriety, his was a little more publicized than others.
Is the draft right or wrong? It's hard to say. While I don't think it's right to force someone to fight in a war they don't believe in, on the other hand who is going to defend our country if no one signs up willingly.
It's also important to note that I think a line can easily be drawn from the draft to just about all the protest music of the 60's and 70's. Songs I and countless others have loved for years. Today, we're fighting another war that is just as controversial, if not more so, but protest music is nonexistent. Many people don't believe in the war we're fighting today, but because there is no danger in being drafted to serve, there's no reason to protest, through music or any thing else.
Other notable events for January 3:
-Bob Dylan and The Band begin a massive 39 date tour on Jan. 3, 1974, over 6 million people vie for just 660,000 tickets. Dylan is unmoved by the response
-The Psychedelic Shop is opened on Haight Street in San Francisco Jan. 3 1966. The shop sells artifacts of the freak and drug culture that will soon explode in this area
-George Martin born Jan. 3, 1926
-Stephen Still born Jan. 3, 1945
-John Paul Jones born Jan. 3, 1946
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