A (still) living legend of folk music—and progressive activism—gets his due

[thatcrazycajun]

Twice this week, public broadcasting is paying respect to one of the last of the old gods of folk music, the one and only Pete Seeger. First, former NPR and now XM Radio/PRI host Bob Edwards interviews the author of "Where Have All The Flowers Gone?", "If I Had A Hammer," "Turn, Turn, Turn" and so much more on his current program, Bob Edwards Weekend (the segment is available gratis for downloading here). I heard it on Sunday, and Pete is in fine form, singing and reminiscing and opining despite his nine decades of age and the wear and tear of performing, protesting and harassment by those in government and elsewhere who felt he and his damned subversive Commie banjo ought to be shut the hell up.

Then, starting tomorrow night PBS gets in on the act by featuring Seeger in the latest episode of its excellent American Masters series (you've already read me raving about its segments on Charles Schulz and Carol Burnett in this space). Check your local listings for time and station, and tune in if you can; if you know Pete's work, you should enjoy both of these shows. And if by some incredible chance you're reading this and don't know his work, fergossakes go to your local record store or your nearest favorite online download source right frakkin' NOW and get you some. And while you're at it, read Wikipedia's entry on him and start finding out more about this landmark figure on the American cultural and political landscape.

This man has influenced singers and songwriters from the Smothers Brothers to Bruce freakin' Springsteen, and myself as well. And when he's gone at long, long last—which could, for all we know, be any day now, though God grant it isn't—there won't be another like him. I'm glad to see him getting recognition he's long since earned while he's still with us to appreciate it.

Comments

[patoadam]

I once had the privilege to perform "Acts of Creation" with Pete in the room. Unfortunately, he didn't seem to be paying attention.

[dan-ad-nauseam.livejournal.com]

Now _that's_ too bad. Mr. Seeger is open to filk (he has performed several verses of Real Old-Time Religion, once at Newport), and AoC should have gotten his attention.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

I certainly think that it's time for a musician to win. Music is the key to peace; I think it's time to recognize that. And if anybody can be said to have dedicated himself to those twin causes, it's Pete.

[banjoplayinnerd.livejournal.com]

What you said, my friend. Pete has done more than almost anyone I can think of to spread the ideas of peace, justice and international brotherhood throughout the world. And most of the others I can think of have already won the Nobel Peace Prize.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[banjoplayinnerd.livejournal.com]

The reasons are many and varied as to why I took up the five-string banjo rather than the guitar or the double-belled euphonium or some other instrument. The influences range from the Kingston Trio to Don McLean to Steve Martin and far beyond, but without the efforts of two men, the five-string would probably be little more than a musical historical memory. I refer of course to Earl Scruggs, without whom there would be no such thing as bluegrass music, and Pete Seeger, who almost single-handedly dragged the banjo out of the obscurity it had fallen into in the hollers of lower Appalachia and influenced all of the folk banjo players from 1938 on.

And that of course is to say nothing of the songs he either wrote or popularized during his heyday, songs that were drilled into my skull from as far back as I can remember. "Guantanamera," "If I Had A Hammer," "We Shall Overcome," "Talking Union Blues," "Where Have All The Flowers Gone?" and on and on and on and on and on. Sometime you should pick up his musical autobiography, entitled Where Have All The Flowers Gone? It's got great stories and great music and is a great eyewitness account to many of the struggles that Pete fought from the 40s on, some of which we're still fighting today.

I don't agree with all of his opinions and ideas. For instance he has a very low opinion of the space program. But he has influenced me in ways I still don't fully understand, and I'm all the better for it.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[thatcrazycajun.livejournal.com]

I apologize for the trouble; the free DL is actually a page or two beyond the link I posted.

This is where I found it yesterday: Podcast.com page (http://podcast.com/show/32910/)

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[filkferengi]

Would you like me to put the PBS show onto dvd for you?