Pete Seeger

Pete Seeger: The Banjo-Wielding Voice of a Movement

Pete Seeger wasn’t just a folk musician — he was a force of nature. A banjo in his hands and a song in his heart, Seeger spent more than seven decades using music as a tool for justice, peace, and progress. His legacy isn’t just etched in the American folk canon — it’s written into the DNA of modern protest, environmental activism, and community-powered art.

Born in 1919 and raised in a family steeped in music and scholarship, Seeger found his calling early. But it wasn’t fame he chased — it was connection. He believed in music not as spectacle, but as shared experience. Whether singing to crowds of thousands or leading a group of schoolchildren in a chorus, Seeger had one goal: to bring people together through song.

His work with The Weavers in the late 1940s helped usher folk music into the mainstream, but his outspoken political beliefs — especially during the McCarthy era — saw him blacklisted from major stages and television. Instead of backing down, he leaned in, bringing his music to union halls, community centers, civil rights rallies, anti-war protests, and anywhere voices needed lifting.

From writing and popularizing songs like "If I Had a Hammer," "Turn! Turn! Turn!", and "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?", to championing environmental causes with the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Seeger didn’t just sing about change — he lived it.

🎤 A Life of Firsts, A Legacy That Lasts

Pete Seeger wasn’t interested in celebrity. He was interested in impact. He mentored countless younger artists, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Bruce Springsteen, and Ani DiFranco, many of whom credit him with helping shape not just their music, but their moral compass.

He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and was honored with the National Medal of Arts — but to Seeger, the greatest achievement was hearing a crowd sing along. That was power. That was unity. That was the point.

🪕 More Than a Musician

Pete Seeger saw the banjo as a bridge — not just between genres, but between people. He fought for workers' rights, civil rights, peace, and the environment. He stood up when it mattered most, even when it cost him. And through it all, he kept singing.

Even in his later years, Seeger remained a beacon. Whether appearing at Barack Obama’s inauguration or performing at climate rallies, he showed the world that age doesn’t quiet a true voice — it deepens it.

Pete Seeger didn’t just perform music. He led musical revolutions.

At JamFest, we honor his legacy by sharing the recordings that defined generations — like his unforgettable set at the Newport Folk Festival, now featured on All Things Considered Live.