Black Flag

On December 10, 2019, Henry Rollins, the iconic frontman of Black Flag, performed the band's anthem "Rise Above" at The Novo in Los Angeles alongside Cyndi Lauper during the Home for the Holidays concert. At this point in Rollins' career, he had long been established not just as the voice of Black Flag, a seminal punk band formed in 1976, but also as a multifaceted performer, writer, and spoken-word artist. Before this performance, Black Flag had released a series of influential albums that marked their evolution throughout the late 70s and early 80s, particularly noteworthy being "Damaged" (1981), which solidified their status in punk. Interestingly, “Rise Above” was originally featured on “Damaged” and became emblematic of the band's message of resilience. The choice to perform this song reflects the enduring impact of Black Flag's music and its continued relevance in contemporary culture, with Rollins serving as a passionate ambassador for its legacy.

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