Robert Plant, Dave Grohl & Hundreds of Artists Ask Congress to Save Independent Concert Venues

Robert Plant, Dave Grohl and hundreds of other artists spanning many genres are asking Congress to provide federal aid to independent concert venues across the United States that are in danger of shutting down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Over 600 artists signed an open letter on the official website for the National Independent Venue Association asking Congress to #SaveOurStages.

The letter reiterates the fact that, "90% of independent venues report that if the shutdown lasts six months and there’s no federal assistance, they will never reopen again."

"We urge you to remember we are the nation that gave the world jazz, country, rock & roll, bluegrass, hip hop, metal, blues, and R&B," reads the letter.  "Entertainment is America's largest economic export, with songs written and produced by American artists sung in every place on the globe. All of these genres of music, and the artists behind them, were able to thrive because they had neighborhood independent venues to play in and hone their craft, build an audience, and grow into the entertainers that bring joy to millions.

Among the list of artists to sign the letter in addition to Plant and Grohl are Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Gary Clark Jr., Neil Young, Coldplay, Billy Joel, Cher, David Byrne, Alice Cooper, Cyndi Lauper, Bonnie Raitt, Ozzy Osbourne, Carole King, Trent Reznor, John Mellencamp, Patti Smith, Joni Mitchell and countless others.

To read the letter in its entirety and to see the full list of artists that have signed it, go to NIVASSOC.org.