Pete Seeger, America's song leader, dead at 94

Pete Seeger died Monday at age 94.

Pete was the soul of American folk music.
In the 1930's, he rode the rails with Woodie Guthrie, singing to labour groups throughout the west.
When he met up with Lee Hays, they helped form the Alamanc Singers, a singing collective, who had a commune in 1930's New York. Their fund-raising Hoots brought out some of America's finest black musicians, including Hudie Ledbetter (Lead Belly).

The Almanacs were a communist labor organizing group, who sang anti-WW II songs, like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM3amyOCwH0"]The Strange Death of John Doe, until Germany invaded Russia, when they started singing pro war songs like, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6vBcc8gbso"]Round & Round Hitler's Grave.

After the war, Pete, Lee, Ronnie Gilbert and Fred Hellerman formed the Weavers, a surprising commercial success. Their dual hits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ5v651bQ1o"]Tzena Tzena Tzena and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj3s8qq3kU4"]Good Night Irene in 1950 made the Weavers the hot group. Until they were blacklisted.

Called before the House Un-American Activities Committee, Pete refused to testify. He did not take the fifth amendment, like many did. He based his refusal to testify on the first amendment. What he thought, who he associated with was private. Seven year later, when his conviction for contempt of Congress was overthrown, the appeal court agreed with him.

Despite this vindication, his refusal to sign a loyalty oath kept him off of radio and television for more that 15 years. (A position that both the Dixie Chicks and Hank Williams Jr. would appreciate)

Pete had always been an opponent of race prejudice. The communist unions that he supported were the only ones that weren't Jim Crow. He married a Japanese American during World War II. In the Weavers clip above, song writing credit was given to an African American, Lead Belly. This was unheard of in the day and, to many people, more troubling than their communist affiliations.

Pete is credited with introducing the spiritual cum labour song cum civil rights anthem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhnPVP23rzo"]We Shall Overcome to Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement.

He was one of the musical leaders of the anti-Vietnam war movement, writing songs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y2SIIeqy34"]Where Have All The Flowers Gone and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXnJVkEX8O4"]Waist Deep In The Big Muddy.

After the war, Pete became involved in the ecological movement, starting the Clearwater Coalition, a coalition of local groups that have cleaned up the Hudson. It took him over 30 years, but he kept the promise that he made to his 12 year old daughter that she would one day be able to swim in the Hudson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da8kcFEaoAI"]Sailin' Up, Sailin' Down

He continued to vigil for peace and sing for hope until his death.

My what a wall of text!

When I talk to the students I work with, few have heard of Pete Seeger. So I wrote this summary of the long political life of 20th century America's premier lefty.
From the 1930's until 2014, Pete Seeger was the musical voice of the left. He was politically to the left of every President during his lifetime, including FDR. He was at the front of the major political victories of my generation.

And his tool for political action was song. Songs sung together, by the people.

The non-violence he learned from Martin Luther King inspired him to write on the head of his banjo

"This machine surrounds hate and forces it to surrender".​

vvv Yeah! Listen to this song. Relevant yesterday, today and tommorow. vvv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VucczIg98Gw

 

RIP Pete Seeger He will be missed.

 

Thank You For Making This Amazing Tribute To Him.

Where Have All The Flowers Gone Would Be One Of His Most

Moving Pieces, 94 Was A Good Innings, RIP Pete And I'm Sure There

Will Be Many Flowers On Your Grave For Years To Come...



Cheers Glen.

 

I wrote that long post as a summary of the political Pete Seeger.
But his politics weren't what touched me and made him one of my heros.

Pete Seeger was the source of my love of American folk music.
Pete showed people personal power and joy that comes from singing the songs together.
And those people showed other people and .... somewhere down that chain, my parents taught me the love of American folk music.

As a young university student, Pete worked with Alan Lomax, collecting songs from rural people for the Library of Congress. And he took those songs and put them in front of the public.

He was always leading his audiences in song. Whether it was a union meeting, a civil rights march or a formal concert in Carnegie Hall, Pete always wanted the audience to sing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5JLCAIJLJ8"]Pete Seeger - Guantanamera - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHbTWJ9tjnw"]Pete Seeger & Johnny Cash - Worried Man Blues - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcbqCssiBUc"]Pete Seeger/Arlo Guthrie - You gotta walk that lonesome valley - YouTube

The man knew thousands of songs and wanted us to join in the fun of singing them.

He was the source for Great Folk Music Scare of the '60s and many of my favorite songs.

I'm going to remember him by gathering some friends and singing together (in harmony )

 

I'll miss him. He played banjo for us at a big overnight protest against Pres. Ford's economic policies on Patriot's Day 1975 at the Old North Bridge in Lexington, the 200th anniversary of the battle that started the Revolutionary War. President Ford was there, too, but I got a lot closer to Pete Seeger.

 

The world will miss you, some listened...good night.

 

Bless his soul. He had a good life.

 

R.I.P. Pete

 

Awwwwwe......what a legend. Long live the legend! Many loved you, Pete.....

 

He had a real concern for the working stiffs of this country. Grapes of Wrath and Matewan would perhaps exemplify his (and others) stands against those for whom common workers were treated as if their lives meant nothing and were often beaten and/ or killed in the service of their fellow workers everywhere. Now it's twerking or other matters of great importance that occupies the spotlight, I guess. He was a moral man.

 

RIP A great American hero

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezyd40kJFq0"]Pete Seeger - "Forever Young" - YouTube
One of my guys- !!- -rip Pete!!

 

I listened to a lot of Pete Seeger. From being in unions and strikes to the anti-Vietnam war movement, he was always there. I kept a lot of his record albums and still listen to them. But I recently googled him and was surprised that he was still alive and still active. He will be missed.

 

Read The First Post, He Passed Away In January This Year....

The World Lost A Wonderful And Dedicated Man....



Cheers Glen..

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czk2hj4VISg

 

That pic was my responce to Mike E's comment about what inspired Woody's banjo headstock message, but i should have been more clear.

Great story!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDBtrzka2X4

 

Just Watched This Clip Again 9 Months On.....Thank You BBAD.... :daisy:



Cheers Glen.