The Boss won’t do it.
Taylor Swift can’t shake it off.
Beyonce? Queen Bey has other royal matters to attend to.
Musicians have gone virtually silent on the Israeli hostages held in Gaza for more than 680 days. We’re more likely to hear pro-Palestinian chants at a music festival that pleads for their return.
Even singers who politicize their concerts, like Trump critics Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam, avoid the subject.
Not John Ondrasik.
I am Honored to collaborate with current hostage Alon Ohel’s mother Idit, brother Ronen, family and friends with this new version of “Superman” to support Alon, all the hostages, and their families.
May they all “Find a way to Fly – To a home I will soon see” ️ … pic.twitter.com/MymL79U3ZG
– John Ondratik (@johnondrasik) April 14, 2025
The singer/songwriter, known by his professional name Five for Fighting, has been one of the most vocal artists on the subject. He brought that moral clarity to the Arvada Center on Tuesday without alienating anyone in the outdoor venue.
No small feat.
Ondrasik sang his biggest hits, including “Superman (It’s Not Easy”) and “100 Years,” sharing sweet, personal stories along the way. He bounced from his piano to the front of the stage, still letting guitar virtuoso Pete Thorn have the occasional, and well-deserved, spotlight.
The veteran musician mixed in two classic rock hits, Elton John’s “Rocket Man” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” for good measure. Channeling Freddie Mercury is a fool’s errand for some, given the late singer’s infamous octave range.
Ondrasik made it look … easy.
He thanked the U.S. Military during one break in the set and wore a Gary Sinise Foundation T-shirt, another nod to those who salute the Armed Forces.
Later, he brought up the ongoing hostage crisis, sharing the heartbreaking tale of a yellow piano waiting to be played in Tel Aviv.
Classically trained pianist Alon Ohel is among those still trapped by Hamas. His family has brought a similar yellow piano to other cities, like Philadelphia, New York, Berlin and Paris, to inspire others to play it and remind the world of his plight.
The pianos all read, “You Are Not Alone.”
Ondrasik spoke of playing the Tel Aviv piano and dreaming of the day when he’d be joined by a freed Ohel.
Simple. Haunting. Unifying. The moment didn’t stop the concert or distract from the experience. It made the night richer, more meaningful.
Vertical Horizon opened the concert, giving copious thanks to fans for sticking by them since their ‘90s breakthrough. They couldn’t resist a few self-deprecating digs at their age, but the songs proved timeless.
The band wrapped with “Everything You Want,” and suddenly this oh, so 2025 night felt like the ‘90s all over again.
NOTE: Check out HiT’s interview with Ondrasik on his music career, helping the hostages and more.