Goodbye, Pete

[neadods]

Pete Seeger and his compatriots laid the foundation for much of my politics, my feminism, and my taste in music.

May I fight as long and as well as you have, Pete. Rest in Peace

Comments

[penguineggs.livejournal.com]

Indeed. I'm massively grateful to have heard Peggy Seeger play live recently, and deeply sorry I'll never hear her half-brother. His "Which side are you on?" and "Bells of Rhymney" were the songs of my childhood, to say nothing of "Little Boxes".

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I've gotten to hear Pete sing "I Wanna be an Engineer" and that was Peggy's song. Perhaps I'll have the chance to hear her do it.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Slightly off topic, Arlo Guthrie once told a very funny story about running home from school crying because he didn't know the words to "This Land is Your Land." At which point, he says, his father dried his tears and promptly taught him all the verses they DON'T sing in school.

[starmalachite.livejournal.com]

"So Long, It's Been Good to Know You," indeed. Many thanks, sir, & rest well.

(Stupid sticking E key...)

[redpanda13.livejournal.com]

"Rest in Peace" doesn't seem the right sentiment for Pete, somehow-- I don't think he has any intention of resting while people are still starting wars and cheating their workers and polluting our rivers. He'll still be singing in our ears and giving us a push in the right direction, comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable.

Here are some highlights of his testimony to HUAC in 1955:

http://www.mediaite.com/online/heres-the-amazing-transcript-of-pete-seeger-pissing-off-the-house-un-american-activities-committee/

There are a bunch of good articles, tributes, clips, earlier interviews etc. here:
http://www.theguardian.com/music/pete-seeger