For What It’s Worth: How a Protest Anthem from the 1960s Impacted Activists over the Past Half-Century

In the Summer of 1966, older Los Angeles residents grew angry over the crowds of teens and young adults in the downtown area. Despite the fact that few services were offered to these young people who faced the possibility of being drafted in the Vietnam War, the older population decided that the first response to the overcrowding issue should be police intervention. In what is now regarded as a complete overreaction, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) violently challenged, attacked, arrested, and dispersed thousands of young people who otherwise were not acting in a harmful manner. Where these young people would wind up, where they would go to deal with their issues, and their need for socialization was irrelevant. They were treated as if they had invaded the community and that their lives mattered little. In reaction to these violent clashes, singer/songwriter Stephen Stills penned what would be one of the most influential protest anthems of the Modern Era: “For What It’s Worth†. The purpose of this study is to show how this 1966 song was not only an instant hit, but also impacted activists over the past half-century, as it was covered by famous artists in diverse social reform movements, in protests, and even in a political party convention. This study will explore how this one protest song represents the overall impact of music on activist culture, and strives to inspire and inform readers about the power of music in activism.