The wonderful activist, folk revivalist, and (of course) 1996 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee (see his HoF profile here: http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/pete-seeger) Pete Seeger, was 90 years old yesterday (b. May 3, 1919). Unfortunately I had to miss his birthday party in Madison Square Garden because, ironically, I'm writing a term paper on the music of the Vietnam War, which of course has quite a bit of Seeger in it. Thus I must wish Seeger a happy birthday from my on-campus suite just 22 hours before this paper is due (and, not to belittle the importance of this post, that's where the procrastination comes in).
In honor of this great musician, who inspired the likes of Bob Dylan, as well as the rest of the Vietnam War protest music, I'm enlightening you, my imaginary (& apparently Seeger-unawares) audience, of his ohsogoodness, that makes my life ohsonice, and was created to make everyone's lives ohsonice&peaceful&loving&beautiful.
"Where Have All the Flowers Gone," written by Seeger & Joe Hickerson
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Here's Seeger's birtday invite, including the amazing birthday lineup which makes me want to weep bitterly, thank you very much Peace & Justice major final term paper (from: http://www.seeger90.com/)
"You are cordially invited
The Clearwater Concert:
Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders
A benefit concert in celebration of
Pete Seeger's 90th Birthday
Sunday, May 3rd, 2009, 5:00 p.m.
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com.
Tickets range in price from $19.19 (the year Pete was born) to $250,
with the majority of seats at $90 to honor Pete's 90th birthday.
Every ticket purchased includes a one-year membership to Clearwater (new members only).
Featuring....
Pete Seeger
Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine)
Bruce Springsteen
Tyler Ramsey (Band of Horses)
Dave Matthews
Warren Haynes
John Mellencamp
Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet
Ani DiFranco
Bernice Johnson Reagon
Arlo Guthrie
Dar Williams
Béla Fleck
Eric Weissberg
Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses)
Guy Davis
Ben Harper
Jay Ungar & Molly Mason
Billy Bragg
John Hall
Bill Nershi (String Cheese Incident)
Kate & Anna McGarrigle
Bruce Cockburn
Larry Long
Del McCoury
Martha Wainwright
Emmylou Harris
Mike & Ruthy Merenda
Joan Baez
NYC Labor Chorus
Keller Williams
Ruby Dee
Kris Kristofferson
Scarlett Lee Moore
Michael Franti
Tao Rodriguez-Seeger
Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers)
Teddy Thompson
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Tom Chapin
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Tom Paxton
Richie Havens
Tommy Sands with Moya & Fionan
Roger McGuinn
Tony Trischka
Steve Earle
Toshi Reagon
Taj Mahal
And the Native American Indian Cultural Alliance...
Bill Miller
Margo Thunderbird
Casper Lomadawa
Oren Lyons
David Amram
R. Carlos Nakai
Eddie Benton
Tiokasin Ghosthorse
Joseph Firecrow
Vernon Masayesva
Joanne Shenandoah
Victorio Roland Mousaa
All proceeds to benefit the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater (www.clearwater.org),
a non-profit organization created to defend and restore the Hudson River."
Ouchies, that hurt BIGS.
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And here's a link to the post-party article in some publication I hadn't heard of. I post this link mainly because of a most excellent Seeger quote midway down the page:
"Springsteen said that he never saw Seeger more happy than at Obama's inauguration, noting that Seeger saw Obama's ascendancy as proof that he, Seeger, had 'outlived the bastards.'"
YES.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/05/03/pete_seegers_90_birthday_concert_and_president_oba/
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So happy 90th, Pete. You have no idea how sad I am to have missed it. I'll see you next year, at your 91st!
