A composer, singer-songwriter, a musical philosopher who devoted his life to Humanity and to changing the World through Music.
And he did just that.
He had true integrity.
And he never ever compromised his integrity,
in any way,
or on any level.
And because he truly loved this great great country we live in more than anything else.
I was lucky enough to see him in Concert in the Spring of 1963 at Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA.
He played his music wherever he could, especially after he was blacklisted.
I remember being so inspired by that concert, back in 1963---we all were. Our 6 person cast of "Spoon River" playing on the campus of UCLA at the same time as his concert----before we went to Broadway.....We took "We Shall Overcome" as our anthem, and as a cast, held hands and sang it before every performance till we closed many months later in New York in 1964.
And he was right.
He never ever strayed from that belief and performed wherever and whenever he could, always spreading the Gospel.
And we, the audience, were always included in the singing---urged to join in and sing along with him and all those who appeared on stage with him.......
He inspired all of the great Folk Artists of the 20th Century.
In fact, he inspired almost all the musicians and balladeers who lived during his 94 years of life.
"If I Had A Hammer", "Turn, Turn, Turn", "Where Have All The Flowers Gone", "We Shall Overcome"---to name a few....all became the Anthems of an entire Generation.....
And they lived a simple life---a life that depended on the land---the very land he sang about---"This Land Is Your Land", written by his great friend and com padre, Woody Guthrie.....
They lived their beliefs and passed them on to their children.
Music can heal the world.
Music can change the world......
A Gentle Man,
And a Man of Great Strength
And a Man Of Great Conviction......
His Banjo says it all.
His songs touched the hearts of so very many people all over the
world
.
More To Come.......
- had this to say:
There is something pretty amazing about those who become famous and still manage to stay true to themselves.
- Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 11:00:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
what a wonderful tribute
the photos are amazing
thanks
hugs from me and the girls- Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 5:03:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
What a beautiful tribute to a remarkable talent and human being. I've always appreciated Pete Seeger and known that his time would one day come to an end, so yesterday's rising was a sad one when I heard the news. But when you think of one whose legacy will live on, he come to the top of the list.
- Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 5:41:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
What a rich tribute, Naomi. The video at the end really gave me pause to feel it all. His songs were timeless, seemed old when they were new and he got the meaning of life right.
I've been researching the flaws/blacklisting/slow to get it nature of the Grammys and had to check to make sure he was recognized. He did win a couple of Grammys for his songs but not till 1994!- Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 7:02:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I enjoyed Pete Seeger's music very much and I admired his politics too. He will be missed. I never saw him sing live, but met his sister Peggy Seeger and her partner Ewen McColl a couple of times before I came to Canada. They performed at the folk music club where I spent many happy hours!
- Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 7:09:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Many of us start out idealistic but fade as the benefits and stresses of age and success erode us. Those who early on bucked the establishment, became the establishment. He did not and that he stayed true is such a tribute to an amazing man. I loved his songs and beliefs.
Wonderful tribute Naomi.- Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 7:25:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
A wonderful man! Thank you for this beautiful tribute, Naomi.
And I LOVE the song "Turn Turn Turn" - thank you for posting that video, too.- Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 9:55:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
What a wonderful tribute to Pete Seeger! You post amazing pictures and a beautiful video. His songs were lovely and timeless. Thanks for sharing, Naomi.
- Friday, January 31, 2014 at 3:13:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Spent many summer holidays in Cold Spring/Garrison/Beacon on the Hudson and we would stroll down to the tiny dock where Mr. Seeger would tie up his Sloop....tiny little concerts but so moving. Just watched the PBS tribute to him last evening. It should be mandatory viewing for all. Thanks, Naomi, for another fabulous piece Sherwood
- Friday, January 31, 2014 at 8:14:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Great tribute to someone who never compromised his principles and wrote some wonderful music that had real meaning.
- Friday, January 31, 2014 at 11:40:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I have to admit I really know nothing about him apart from the songs, and even then I know the songs by other people not him. My brother is a massive Joan Baez fan, and he loved her version of "We Shall Overcome" which I think became quite an anthem for her too.
It's so nice to read about an artist that stayed true to their beliefs through out their career.
Another sad loss.- Friday, January 31, 2014 at 11:50:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
What a beautiful post on Pete Seeger. I did not know of Pete Seeger until I came to the USA (as most people would not know French folk singers either.) My husband is a great fan of his and introduced me to American folk music. It is true that Pete kept his ideals. It is hard to find “old white people” who have not changed since their younger years – I know as I see few of them around us here in Georgia. I think Pete Seeger was the type of artist and man everyone would love as he had such an attaching personality and so much talent. He will be missed by many
- Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 8:43:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Pete Seeger's death made the news over here too, but I'd never heard his name before. However, looking back, I have heard his songs.
- Sunday, February 2, 2014 at 7:18:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
What an amazing man. Thanks for sharing his life and accomplishments in this tribute to one of the greats. Hope all's well with you, my friend. Hugs from Miami! xo
- Sunday, February 2, 2014 at 10:15:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
What a very special man. His sincerity shines through his words and especially his voice.
A rare man I think.- Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at 4:14:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Never knew that about his wife, makes me love him more...how wonderful he was in my life.
- Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 6:48:00 PM PST
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