Pete SeegerMay 3rd, 1919- January 27, 2014

Charles Seeger (father): taught music at University of California

Constance Seeger (mother): taught violin at Julliard School

Accepted a scholarship to Harvard University in 1936, two years later he failed an exam, causing him to lose his scholarship and drop out

Background

1940: Folk Quartet- Almanac Singers

-Songs pertaining to Union and War

- Examples: Songs for John Doe

Dear Mr. President

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDTupEmWLuw

1942-1945: Drafted into US Army; picked music back up when returned

1948: Formed The Weavers

Early Musical Career

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYfUlGORKkw

View on War:

Against Vietnam War:

- Against Lyndon Johnson’s war policy of following the Truman Doctrine

-”Bring Em Home”: Written to strongly state that we should pull our men out of War because they need to be home with their friends and families

The Musical Protester

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXnJVkEX8O4

“Waist Deep in the Big Muddy” : Written to strongly state how the Vietnam War was continuously pushing the United States deeper into the war, despite being so unpopular

The Musical Protester

Pete believed that change came from community

Song helps portray messages better through tone

Voices raised together in song can inspire and teach

Change“We are all stronger together than apart”

R.I.P. Pete

http://www.biography.com/people/pete-seeger-9542618?page=3

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/28/pete-seeger-man-brought-politics-to-music

http://peteseeger.net/wp/?page_id=10

http://vietnaminterviews.weebly.com/bring-them-home-by-pete-seeger.html

http://www.democracynow.org/2006/7/3/we_shall_overcome_an_hour_with

References