![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
thatcrazycajunFans of folk music and believers in progressive ideals are all experiencing a truly indescribable sadness today. Singer, songwriter and activist Pete Seeger has died at the improbable age of 94 of as-yet-unannounced causes. The Los Angeles Times has an obituary for him here, and Wikipedia's page on him lists his accomplishments far better than I ever could.
He passed away at Presbyterian Hospital in New York, NY after a six-day stay. His grandson reports that as recently as ten days prior to his death, he was out on his upstate property chopping wood as usual. Whatever finally laid him low must have been damn serious; even the loss of his wife of 70 years(!!), Toshi, last year couldn't slow this energetic nonagenarian down. Then again, maybe he just finally wore out; with the kind of life he led, it wouldn't surprise me.
The man was more than just a phenomenally gifted musician; he was a first-hand witness to—and fearless participant in—the organized labor, civil rights, environmental and social-justice movements in the United States over the past century. One of his most prominent and fervent disciples, rocker Bruce Springsteen, said it best: "At some point, Pete Seeger decided he'd be a walking, singing reminder of all of America's history. He'd be a living archive of America's music and conscience, a testament to the power of song and culture to nudge history along, to push American events towards more humane and justified ends."
Uncle Pete not only sang and spoke out for these causes, he physically put himself on the front lines, risked his life and went to jail for them more than once, He came by it honestly, though; his family tree was full of abolitionists, dissenters, Revolutionary War soldiers, teachers and other troublemakers. He worked with celebrated musical historian Alan Lomax to catalogue, record and preserve the native songs of the Appalachian hill country; sang with and learned from folk legends Woody Guthrie and Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter; inspired a generation of musician-activists from Springsteen to Joan Baez to Peter, Paul & Mary; and got himself hauled up before the infamous House Un-American Activities Committee for his association with the American Communist Party, then blacklisted from appearing on TV for years and censored on the Smothers Brothers' CBS show when he finally made it back for daring to criticize America's military presence in Vietnam in his now-famous song, "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy."
But above all else, Pete was a tireless custodian of America's musical heritage, and an evangelist for the power of song to lift hearts and change society for the better. He always encouraged his audiences to sing along with him, sing his songs freely elsewhere, create their own songs and then pass it all on to others. He believed music belonged to everybody, not just those lucky enough to make it professionally; and he lived that belief all the way to his dying day. Two spiral-bound, lovingly-worn copies of Rise Up Singing, with Pete's heartfelt introduction in the forematter, are among the most cherished possessions of our household.
Deepest sympathies to Pete's children and grandchildren, to his many colleagues, friends and fans and those in the various activist movements he stood with for so many years. And to the man himself, a great big hearty "thank you, sir" and a peaceful, well-earned rest. As one friend put it, "Pete Seeger and Nelson Mandela? Heaven is in for it...!"
He passed away at Presbyterian Hospital in New York, NY after a six-day stay. His grandson reports that as recently as ten days prior to his death, he was out on his upstate property chopping wood as usual. Whatever finally laid him low must have been damn serious; even the loss of his wife of 70 years(!!), Toshi, last year couldn't slow this energetic nonagenarian down. Then again, maybe he just finally wore out; with the kind of life he led, it wouldn't surprise me.
The man was more than just a phenomenally gifted musician; he was a first-hand witness to—and fearless participant in—the organized labor, civil rights, environmental and social-justice movements in the United States over the past century. One of his most prominent and fervent disciples, rocker Bruce Springsteen, said it best: "At some point, Pete Seeger decided he'd be a walking, singing reminder of all of America's history. He'd be a living archive of America's music and conscience, a testament to the power of song and culture to nudge history along, to push American events towards more humane and justified ends."
Uncle Pete not only sang and spoke out for these causes, he physically put himself on the front lines, risked his life and went to jail for them more than once, He came by it honestly, though; his family tree was full of abolitionists, dissenters, Revolutionary War soldiers, teachers and other troublemakers. He worked with celebrated musical historian Alan Lomax to catalogue, record and preserve the native songs of the Appalachian hill country; sang with and learned from folk legends Woody Guthrie and Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter; inspired a generation of musician-activists from Springsteen to Joan Baez to Peter, Paul & Mary; and got himself hauled up before the infamous House Un-American Activities Committee for his association with the American Communist Party, then blacklisted from appearing on TV for years and censored on the Smothers Brothers' CBS show when he finally made it back for daring to criticize America's military presence in Vietnam in his now-famous song, "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy."
But above all else, Pete was a tireless custodian of America's musical heritage, and an evangelist for the power of song to lift hearts and change society for the better. He always encouraged his audiences to sing along with him, sing his songs freely elsewhere, create their own songs and then pass it all on to others. He believed music belonged to everybody, not just those lucky enough to make it professionally; and he lived that belief all the way to his dying day. Two spiral-bound, lovingly-worn copies of Rise Up Singing, with Pete's heartfelt introduction in the forematter, are among the most cherished possessions of our household.
Deepest sympathies to Pete's children and grandchildren, to his many colleagues, friends and fans and those in the various activist movements he stood with for so many years. And to the man himself, a great big hearty "thank you, sir" and a peaceful, well-earned rest. As one friend put it, "Pete Seeger and Nelson Mandela? Heaven is in for it...!"
no subject
Date: 2014-02-01 04:14 am (UTC)