The song met unprecedented exposure among the band's young audience after a performance at the Schaefer Music Festival in New York City, in the summer of 1968. Hirsh suggested that instead of the opening chorus spelling "fish", it would spell "fuck", giving birth to the infamous "Fuck Cheer". The crowd of young teenagers and college students applauded the act; however executives from "The Ed Sullivan Show" barred Country Joe and the Fish from their scheduled appearance on the program, and any other possible events. Hirsh has never explained why he recommended the change in lyrics, but the act is seen as a social and political statement advocating free speech. The recorded version of "The Fish Cheer" received airplay, even on mainstream radio stations, which contributed to the success of the band's third album, "Together", its most commercially successful. The album, released in August 1968, featured songwriting by all of the band members and charted at number 23 nationally.