Fact check: What other artists refused to perform for segregated audiences in the 1960s?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, several artists took stands against segregated audiences during the 1960s and the broader Civil Rights era:

The Beatles were the most prominently documented example, with their contract for a 1965 concert at the Cow Palace in California specifically stating they would "not be required to perform in front of a segregated audience" ^[1]. They consistently refused to play segregated venues during both their 1964 and 1965 US tours ^{[2] [3]}.

Ray Charles canceled a scheduled show in Augusta, Georgia, because it was at a segregated venue ^[3].

Louis Armstrong broke his silence against segregation in 1957 and considered withdrawing from a Soviet Union jazz tour sponsored by the U.S. State Department due to segregation issues ^[4].

Babatunde Olatunji, a Nigerian drummer, protested against racial segregation in the southern states of America in the 1950s and was involved in the US civil rights movement, interacting with prominent figures such as Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X ^[5].

Several other artists used their music to advance civil rights causes, including Nina Simone, Sam Cooke, Joan Baez, Grant Green, Harry Belafonte, Mahalia Jackson, and The Freedom Singers ^{[6] [7] [8]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal significant gaps in providing a comprehensive answer to the original question. While the sources document The Beatles and Ray Charles as clear examples of artists who refused segregated performances, they do not provide an exhaustive list of other artists who took similar stands ^[3].

The sources focus heavily on artists who supported the Civil Rights Movement through their music rather than specifically documenting venue boycotts ^{[9] [10] [11]}. This distinction is important because supporting civil rights through music is different from refusing to perform at segregated venues.

Additionally, the analyses don't address the economic and career risks that artists faced when refusing segregated performances, which would have been substantial in the 1960s entertainment industry. Artists who took these stands potentially sacrificed significant revenue and career opportunities in segregated markets.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself does not contain misinformation or bias - it's a straightforward historical inquiry. However, the question's framing assumes that multiple artists refused segregated performances, when the available analyses suggest this was actually a relatively rare and courageous stand that only a few documented artists took.

The analyses reveal that while many artists supported civil rights through their music and activism, fewer took the specific economic risk of refusing to perform at segregated venues. This suggests the practice may have been less common than the question implies, making those who did take such stands - like The Beatles and Ray Charles - particularly noteworthy for their principled positions.