Joan Baez says she doesn't know why she was not permitted to perform for recovering soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Center.
In a May 1 interview with the Washington Post, the 66-year-old folk singer-activist said rock artist John Mellencamp had asked her to perform April 27 at the Washington D.C. facility.
While Walter Reed officials did not comment to the Post, spokesman Steve Sanderson told RollingStone.com that her request for participation came only two days before the concert, and would have required making last-minute arrangements.
Baez' manager, Mark Spector, told the Post that John Mellencamp's management had invited her to perform in March, and handled all arrangements.
Speaking earlier to RollingStone.com, John Mellencamp said Walter Reed personnel gave no reason why Joan Baez was stricken from the bill. "We asked why and they said 'She can't fit here, period.'"