RIP Pete Seeger

Glassfan

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Pete Seeger, American folk singer and activist, dies at 94

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NEW YORK, N.Y. - Pete Seeger, the banjo-picking troubadour who sang for migrant workers, college students and star-struck presidents in a career that introduced generations of Americans to their folk music heritage, died Monday at the age of 94.

Seeger's grandson Kitama Cahill-Jackson said his grandfather died at New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he'd been for six days. "He was chopping wood 10 days ago," he said.

Seeger — with his a lanky frame, banjo and full white beard — was an iconic figure in folk music. He performed with the great minstrel Woody Guthrie in his younger days and marched with Occupy Wall Street protesters in his 90s, leaning on two canes. He wrote or co-wrote "If I Had a Hammer," ''Turn, Turn, Turn," ''Where Have All the Flowers Gone" and "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine." He lent his voice against Hitler and nuclear power. A cheerful warrior, he typically delivered his broadsides with an affable air and his banjo strapped on.


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Turn Turn Turn
 
Thanks, Glassfan, for this tribute. Pete was not only a musical icon, he was an activist until the end. He never stopped bringing the people's music to the people.

We ran into him many times in the Berkshires and he always donated and thanked us for fighting the good fight. His half-sister Peggy did a benefit/ farewell concert for us in Boston, before she moved back to England.

His "Casey Jones" is my favorite.


Link to video.
 
I saw him in Anaheim in the 70s. He shared stage with José Feliciano and introduced the late Cesar Chavez. I'm not totally clear (I was wrecked at the time), but I seem to remember he interspersed traditional Union songs with Hispanic folk tunes and little stories about organizing the field workers. Charming.
 
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