The death this week of folk music legend Pete Seeger reminded me that I photographed and interviewed he and Arlo Guthrie when they appeared at the Mississippi River Festival at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in 1977.
Seeger, because of his history, was a fascinating man and I could have spent hours listening to his stories on folk music and protest movements.
I was a long-time fan of Woody Guthrie and the chance to talk at length with his son was a special time.
The Festival ran for 10 years on the campus of SIUE, across the Mississippi River in St. Louis, and — a reporter, columnist and photographer for The Telegraph in nearby Alton at the time, gave me a chance to photograph and review concerts by many musical legends and stars — including Glenn Frey, Don Henley & the Eagles, Jim Croce, Earl Scruggs, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and others.
The photo of Seeger above is a scan from a full page photograph in the paper’s weekend magazine as in the page on the right from the cover of that magazine.
It was a special time that brings back a lot of special memories. Fan of the festival have set up a Facebook page.
4 thoughts on “Remembering Pete Seeger and more”
Pete Seeger was definitely a special man. I could watch videos of him and Arlo for hours and did for some time last night. They have an incredible ability to “warm” a room. Not to mention, as you did, the lineage.
I have so much respect for Pete Seeger, most of all for his testimony before the Committee on Un-American Activities. I had heard about it many times over the years and was happy to have the opportunity to read the full transcript yesterday. http://tinyurl.com/lrbl87d
Mr. Seeger was a courageous patriot dedicated to democracy for all. How lucky you are to have spent time with him. May his example never be forgotten.
What a great loss to musical culture, social justice and the voice of goodness. He is an icon who will live forever. He changed the fiber of American music.
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