Pete Seeger was born May 3, 1919 in Paterson, NY. His father, Charles Seeger, was a musicologist and professor. His mother, Constance Seeger, was a violinist. When Pete discovered the 5-string banjo in 1936, his direction was set. The banjo became the signature of his music career.

Pete’s work with Alan Lomax at the Archive of American Folk music at the Library of Congress in 1939 reinforced his desire to perform folk music. He had a deep commitment to social issues and used his music to communicate to the public. He described his style of performing as a “sing-along,” always encouraging the audience to participate as a group, harmonizing or singing rounds.

In 1939, he formed the singing group, The Almanacs Singers, with his friend Woody Guthrie, which specialized in topical songs, especially songs connected with union organizing. He formed The Weavers in 1948, and had many hit songs including “Goodnight Irene” and “Tzena Tzena Tzena,” culminating in a seminal concert at Carnegie Hall in 1955.

He began a solo career and had hit songs including “We Shall Overcome” and “Little Boxes”. He performed at the Newport Folk Festival with Bob Dylan in 1963 and in front of half million people at the anti-war march in Washington in 1969. He is best remembered for his protest songs.

In 1943 he married Toshi Ohta. They have 3 children, Daniel, Mika and Tinya. After reading Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson, his understanding of the ecological risks to the planet led to his becoming an environmental advocate. In 1969, he founded The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater project to help clean up the Hudson River and to help educate the community about healing the environment.

He became involved in the civil rights movement through his time in the south as a performer and archivist. He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King in 1965 and helped to popularize the song, “We Shall Overcome” which became the civil rights anthem. He was an active member of the anti-war movement of the 1960s and 70s, and inspired both audiences and musicians to challenge the war in Vietnam.

Among his many honors include the Presidential Medal of the Arts, The Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement Honor and The National Medal of Arts from the National Endowment of the Arts.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk album.

Pete continues to release albums, including “At 89,” a collection of newly recorded classics and newly written material and was the featured performer at the presidential inauguration concert for Barack Obama. On May 3rd, 2009, Pete was honored at Madison Square Garden to celebrate his 90th Birthday.