Pete Seeger biography

The negative press surrounding Seeger and his politics deepened in 1961, when he was convicted for contempt of Congress—a judgement that was based on earlier questioning by the House Committee on Un-American Activities, regarding Seeger's political activities, and his subsequent refusal to answer. Seeger's musical career seemed to look even less promising, following the conviction, which was overturned in an appeal in 1962.

Seeger continued to perform and record as a solo artist, however,

producing such hit songs as "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" (1961) and "Turn, Turn, Turn" (1962)—which was later released as a single by folk-rock group The Byrds on the album Turn! Turn! Turn! (1965). 

Against all odds, Seeger ignored the publicity that had earlier been spurred by his politics, participating in the civil rights and anti-war movements of the 1960s, and his reputation gradually improved. In 1966, Seeger recorded an antiwar anthem, "Bring 'Em Home"—a song that was later recorded by Bruce Springsteen—which includes lyrics opposing the Vietnam War: "For defense you need common sense/Bring them home, bring them home/They don't have the right armaments/Bring them home, bring them home."

Seeger soon became a revered American folk musician and college-campus icon. Following a long list of albums in the 1960s, including God Bless The Grass and Dangerous Songs!?—both released in 1966—he published a literary, historical piece about folk music, civil rights and performers from the 20th century called The Incompleat Folksinger (1972). Throughout the rest of the 1970s, and into the 1980s, Seeger frequently performed with fellow folk singer-songwriter Arlo Guthrie, the son of folk legend Woody Guthrie. During that same period, he worked with other activists to remove pollution from the Hudson River and create the environmental organization Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, which, among many projects, hosts festivals that help to fund the river's pollution maintenance.

Recent Years and Legacy

Today, Seeger is regarded as a 20th century iconic figure, and a pivotal part of the 1960s American folk music revival. According to the Encyclopedia of Folk, Country, and Western Music, Seeger was a "father figure whose contributions as an artist and writer were highly valued by people of all ages in and out of the music field."

Seeger became the recipient of several high honors in the 1990s. In 1993, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. A year later, he was awarded a National Medal of Arts, and in 1996, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Following the release of his album, Pete (1996), he won a Grammy Award (for best traditional folk album). That same year, Seeger published his autobiography, Where Have All the Flowers Gone.

Nearly a decade later, Seeger received his second Grammy Award (for best traditional album), for his 2008 album, At 89. That same year, he performed at President Barack Obama's inaugural celebration. At the age of 91, Seeger released the abum Tomorrow's Children (2010), which he recorded with a group of students and dedicated to environmental awareness.