A highlight of his career was when he popularized the song, ‘We Shall Overcome’, which went on to become a spiritual anthem all over the world and more importantly, during the American Civil Rights Movement, which created a positive impact on his career as an activist and a singer. With the advent of protest music, Seeger’s career was on an upsurge. Pursuing a solo career in the world of music, he sang and wrote songs pertaining to the civil rights, pressing environmental issues and international disarmament. However, Seeger quit the group after the other members agreed to perform for a cigarette commercial.

Rising above all of Seeger’s political ideals and his passion for authentic folk music was his clear voice and chiming banjo, both of which sang out with a clarity that rang true. His tireless efforts regarding global concerns such as environmentalism, population growth, and racial equality earned him the respect and friendship of such political heroes as Martin Luther King, Jr., Woody Guthrie, and Cesar Chavez, and the generations of children who first learned to sing and clap to Seeger’s Folkways recordings must number in the millions. “If I Had a Hammer” was a hit for Peter, Paul, and Mary (1962) and Trini Lopez (1963) while the Byrds had a number one hit with “Turn! Turn! Turn!” in 1965. “Flowers” was a hit recording for the Kingston Trio (1962) Marlene Dietrich, who recorded it in English, German and French (1962) and Johnny Rivers (1965). He was not only a singer but also a songwriter, labor activist, naturalist, and peace advocate.Ī prolific songwriter, his best-known songs include “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” (with Joe Hickerson), “If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song)” (with Lee Hays of the Weavers), and “Turn! Turn! Turn!”, which have been recorded by many artists both in and outside the folk revival movement and are sung throughout the world. Occupation: Musician, Songwriter, Television HostĬhildren: Daniel Seeger, Mika Seeger, Peter Ōta Seeger, Tinya SeegerĪmerican singer who sustained the folk music tradition and who was one of the principal inspirations for younger performers in the folk revival of the 1960s, Pete Seeger was born on May 3, 1919, at the French Hospital, Midtown Manhattan, U.S. Place of Death: Manhattan, New York, U.S. Place of Birth: Patterson, New York, United States Pete Seeger – American folk singer and social activist.

Peter ōta seeger