Pete Seeger

Widely accepted as a great American radical hero, Pete Seeger was not only a gifted and prolific troubadour dedicated to preserving the heritage of folk music but a fearless warrior for change who inspired generations of protest singers with his vast array of politically and socially-conscious songs. As the driving force behind both The Almanac Singers and The Weavers, Seeger initially became a permanent fixture of post-war radio but then found himself on the blacklist during the end of the McCarthy era due to his strong left-wing beliefs. On his solo return in the early 1960s, he continued to rally against the establishment by campaigning tirelessly in support of civil rights, international disarmament and the environment. And although this fighting spirit undoubtedly cost him greater commercial appeal, few musicians have garnered as much respect.