Pete Seeger, one of the great folk musicians of his generation, has died in Manhattan, we are sad to report. He lived a good long life (94), and championed many causes, including fair wages for the non-CEO, civil rights, and an environment our children can count on.
Seeger was a member of the Weavers, whose hits included "Goodnight, Irene" and "If I Had a Hammer".
Besides being a great musician and folk singer, Seeger wrote two of the timeless songs of history. His "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" is one of The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era*, and his adaptation of a passage from the Book of Ecclesiastes, "Turn! Turn! Turn!", became one of The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era* for the Byrds.
"We Shall Overcome", which Seeger adapted from old spirituals, became a civil rights anthem.
Seeger was a mentor to countless aspiring folk musicians; among them, Bob Dylan and Don McLean. Joan Baez said of Seeger, "We owe our careers to him."
Seeger was one of the founders of the famous Newport Folk Festival, created at a time when folk music was at the forefront of the Rock Era.
In 1972, Pete was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and in 1993, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys. In 1996, Seeger was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He also won Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Folk Album in 1997 (Pete) and 2009 (at 89), and Children's Music in 2011 for "Tomorrow's Children".
U.S. President Barack Obama had this to say about Seeger in a statement:
"Once called 'America's tuning fork,' Pete Seeger believed deeply in the power of song. But more importantly, he believed in the power of community -- to stand up for what's right, speak out against what's wrong, and move this country closer to the America he knew we could be. Over the years, Pete used his voice -- and his hammer -- to strike blows for worker's rights and civil rights; world peace and environmental conservation. And he always invited us to sing along. For reminding us where we come from and showing us where we need to go, we will always be grateful to Pete Seeger. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayer to Pete's family and all those who loved him."
Another former U.S. president, Bill Clinton, said "Pete Seeger's great heart was matched only by his commitment to social justice. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Chuck Schumer, Senator from Seeger's state of New York, said "From California to the NY islands, Pete Seeger hammered out justice & freedom on his five string banjo.
The other New York Senator, Kirstin Gillibrand, said "One of New York's greats--and one of America's musical icons, Pete Seeger, has died. He will truly be missed, but his music will live on."
Bruce Springsteen, who greatly admired Seeger, played "We Shall Overcome" during his concert in South Africa in honor of Pete. "I lost a great friend, a real hero last night," he said onstage.
Springsteen also released this statement:
We deeply mourn the passing of Pete Seeger," Springsteen said in a statement today, per the Washington Post. "We believe that nobody is truly gone until all those who are touched or influenced by that person are gone from the Earth...So Pete will live on in the hearts and minds of so many for years to come. His vision of peace and justice and equality for all will live on and continue to influence. His music has been used all over the world for social justice. From the Civil Rights movement to the anti-war movements Pete and his songs have been there on the front lines. Like a ripple that keeps going out from a pond Pete's music will keep going out all over the world spreading the message of non-violence and peace and justice and equality for all. Wherever people are fighting to be free or fighting for equality Pete's songs and Pete's vision will be there with them."
Billy Bragg wrote on Twitter: "Pete Seeger towered over the folk scene like a mighty redwood for 75 years."
Rest in Peace, Pete--you will be greatly missed!
Besides being a great musician and folk singer, Seeger wrote two of the timeless songs of history. His "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" is one of The Most Important Songs of the Rock Era*, and his adaptation of a passage from the Book of Ecclesiastes, "Turn! Turn! Turn!", became one of The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era* for the Byrds.
"We Shall Overcome", which Seeger adapted from old spirituals, became a civil rights anthem.
Seeger was a mentor to countless aspiring folk musicians; among them, Bob Dylan and Don McLean. Joan Baez said of Seeger, "We owe our careers to him."
Seeger was one of the founders of the famous Newport Folk Festival, created at a time when folk music was at the forefront of the Rock Era.
In 1972, Pete was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and in 1993, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys. In 1996, Seeger was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He also won Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Folk Album in 1997 (Pete) and 2009 (at 89), and Children's Music in 2011 for "Tomorrow's Children".
U.S. President Barack Obama had this to say about Seeger in a statement:
"Once called 'America's tuning fork,' Pete Seeger believed deeply in the power of song. But more importantly, he believed in the power of community -- to stand up for what's right, speak out against what's wrong, and move this country closer to the America he knew we could be. Over the years, Pete used his voice -- and his hammer -- to strike blows for worker's rights and civil rights; world peace and environmental conservation. And he always invited us to sing along. For reminding us where we come from and showing us where we need to go, we will always be grateful to Pete Seeger. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayer to Pete's family and all those who loved him."
Another former U.S. president, Bill Clinton, said "Pete Seeger's great heart was matched only by his commitment to social justice. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Chuck Schumer, Senator from Seeger's state of New York, said "From California to the NY islands, Pete Seeger hammered out justice & freedom on his five string banjo.
The other New York Senator, Kirstin Gillibrand, said "One of New York's greats--and one of America's musical icons, Pete Seeger, has died. He will truly be missed, but his music will live on."
Bruce Springsteen, who greatly admired Seeger, played "We Shall Overcome" during his concert in South Africa in honor of Pete. "I lost a great friend, a real hero last night," he said onstage.
Springsteen also released this statement:
We deeply mourn the passing of Pete Seeger," Springsteen said in a statement today, per the Washington Post. "We believe that nobody is truly gone until all those who are touched or influenced by that person are gone from the Earth...So Pete will live on in the hearts and minds of so many for years to come. His vision of peace and justice and equality for all will live on and continue to influence. His music has been used all over the world for social justice. From the Civil Rights movement to the anti-war movements Pete and his songs have been there on the front lines. Like a ripple that keeps going out from a pond Pete's music will keep going out all over the world spreading the message of non-violence and peace and justice and equality for all. Wherever people are fighting to be free or fighting for equality Pete's songs and Pete's vision will be there with them."
Billy Bragg wrote on Twitter: "Pete Seeger towered over the folk scene like a mighty redwood for 75 years."
Twitter, Bragg and Morello wrote of his Seeger's political influence: "Peter Seeger towered over the folk scene like a mighty redwood for 75 years," wrote Bragg. "He travelled with Woody Guthrie in the 1940s, stood up to Joe McCarthy in the 50s, marched with Dr Martin Luther King in the 60s. His songs will be sung wherever people struggle for their rights. We shall overcome."
Read more at http://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/75138#izKzuwiTvxuyhqp2.99
Read more at http://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/75138#izKzuwiTvxuyhqp2.99
"Peter Seeger towered over the folk scene like a mighty redwood for 75 years," wrote Bragg. "He travelled with Woody Guthrie in the 1940s, stood up to Joe McCarthy in the 50s, marched with Dr Martin Luther King in the 60s. His songs will be sung wherever people struggle for their rights. We shall overcome."
Read more at http://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/75138#izKzuwiTvxuyhqp2.99
Seeger said in 1994: "The key to the future of the world is finding the optimistic stories and letting them be known."Read more at http://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/75138#izKzuwiTvxuyhqp2.99
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.