PETE SEEGER

Born in New York City in 1919, Pete Seeger was a prominent American folk singer, songwriter, and social activist. He briefly attended Harvard before leaving in 1938 to pursue folk music. In 1949, he co-founded The Weavers, a popular folk music group known for songs like ‘Goodnight, Irene.’ A radio staple in the 1940s and a key figure in the 1960s folk revival, Seeger used his music for social change, performing at civil rights rallies, environmental conservation events, and anti-Vietnam war protests. His most popular songs include “If I Had a Hammer,” “Turn! Turn! Turn!,” and “Where Have All the Flowers Gone.” He also popularized “We Shall Overcome,” an anthem of the civil rights movement. In 1966, Seeger and his wife Toshi founded the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, a non-profit dedicated to protecting the Hudson River, funded through annual music festivals now known as the Great Hudson River Revival. Despite facing challenges during the McCarthy Era, including blacklisting, Seeger remained committed to his music and activism. He received multiple Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Seeger passed away in 2014 at the age of 94.