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Peter Seeger (May 3, 1919 – January 27, 2014) was an American folk singer and social activist. A fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, Seeger also had a string of hit records during the early 1950s as a member of The Weavers, notably their recording of Lead Belly 's " Goodnight, Irene ," which topped the charts for 13 weeks in 1950.
4 days ago · Pete Seeger (born May 3, 1919, New York City, New York, U.S.—died January 27, 2014, New York City) was a singer who sustained the American folk music tradition and who was one of the principal inspirations for younger performers in the folk revival of the 1960s.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- “The Hammer Song (If I Had A Hammer)” Although he had many, this is probably Seeger’s main signature song. A labor movement anthem-cum-all purpose activist hymn, he co-wrote it with Lee Hays, his partner in the Almanac Singers and the Weavers, in support of members of the United States Communist party who had recently been convicted under the 1940 Smith Act.
- “Goodnight Irene” This suicidal love song, a folk standard, was first recorded by Leadbelly, who made it his theme song. But Seeger and the Weavers turned it into a haunted populist lullaby, and a number one pop song, in 1950.
- “We Shall Overcome” In folk music tradition, Seeger revised this African-American traditional song, helping to repurpose and popularize it as maybe the key anthem of the American Civil Rights Movement.
- “Where Have All The Flowers Gone?” Based on a Ukranian folk song ("Koloda Duda"), Seeger wrote this anti-war-themed ballad with help from fellow folkie Joe Hickerson; it would be further popularized in versions by the Kingston Trio and Peter, Paul & Mary.
Jan 28, 2014 · 1183. /14. By Jon Pareles. Jan. 28, 2014. Pete Seeger, the singer, folk-song collector and songwriter who spearheaded an American folk revival and spent a long career championing folk music as...
- 2 min
- Jon Pareles
Jan 28, 2014 · Pete Seeger was an environmentalist, an activist and the most prominent folk musician of his generation. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images. A tireless campaigner for his own vision of a utopia...
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Jan 28, 2014 · A tribute to the seminal figure in American music who kept folk music alive and influenced generations of musicians from Bob Dylan to Bruce Springsteen. Learn about his life, career, songs, and legacy as a political activist and musician.
His music won many awards including a Grammy and inspired countless musicians and people to sing out for justice. Learn More. “If music only could change the world, I’d only be a musician.”. Pete Seeger. Check out the Radio Series. American Folk Music History. BTS with Pete Seeger. Learn More. PeteSeeger.org.
