Country Joe McDonald, who, as lead singer of the psychedelic folk-rock band, Country Joe and the Fish, made history at Woodstock with the iconic protest song, “I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ To Die Rag”, has died at the age of 84.

Joseph Allen McDonald was born New Year’s Day in 1942. He learned guitar from his dad and political activism from his mom. After a stint in the Navy and a few semesters of college, he headed to Berkley with plans to be a folk musician. His involvement with the Free Speech Movement and anti-war demonstrations led to a meeting with Barry Melton, and eventually to Country Joe and the Fish.

At Woodstock, he took the stage and, before launching into his signature song, started the Fish cheer (“Give me an F”) but anger over the Vietnam war eventually morphed it into another four-letter word. Country Joe said the song’s lyrics, including, “Be the first one on your block to have your boy come home in a box” was a fresh point of view, blaming the politicians instead of the soldiers.

After the band’s break-up, he continued to write and perform as a solo artist, expressing his political views through his songs.