Golden Oldie Bands Raise Money for Vets

VetRock 2000, an all-day concert by bands whose glory days were in the 1960s and ‘70s, kicked off a 31-city tour in Clearwater, Fla., to raise money for Vietnam veteran outreach groups. Blood, Sweat & Tears, John Kay and Steppenwolf, The Animals II, The Guess Who, and the Lovin’ Spoonful were among the performers. Two hours into the 10-hour concert, 4,000 people--many with graying hair--had turned out for the event. Veterans, now in the 50s, came with their families. “I’ve never been to a concert with so many old people since the symphony,” said Marjie Shadid, a nightclub jazz performer from Oklahoma City who was visiting relatives in Tampa.