Folksinger, activist, and wonderful old dude, Pete Seeger passed away Monday at age 94.
There’s a lot to say about Seeger–his legacy combines poetry and politics, and his music has influenced countless artists and activists over the years. With his work for labor, civil rights, and anti-war movements, he always seemed to be there to support progress and humanity, Tom Joad-ing his way through the last century.
Dorian Lynskey puts it well in his piece for The Guardian:
“Pete Seeger was a good man. There aren’t many musicians you can say that about without seeming simplistic. Music is often progressed by flawed, volatile, glamorous egotists, and thank God for them. But Seeger carved out his place in history with a quieter, rarer set of qualities: nobility, generosity, humility and, when things got rough, breathtaking courage. Perhaps uniquely, he became one of the most important singers in America without ever being a star, because he believed in the song rather than the singer.”
Here’s a video of Seeger singing his sister Peggy’s feminist anthem, “I’m Gonna Be An Engineer.” Rest in Peace, Pete.
Thanks to The Guardian.
Images via The New York Times.
