Ronnie Gilbert is the most underrated member of the Weavers. She was to the Weavers what Judith Durham was to the Seekers. The Weavers vocals were elevated from just good to outstanding by Ronnie.
That Professors Hays, Gilbert, Hellerman and Seeger were still at it with a vengeance as late as 1980 was nothing short of answered prayer. We were immeasurably blessed to have had them with us for as long as we did.
Wonderful! At 14 I spent the time not in school absorbing Pete and also the Weavers, the 2 albums I owned. I was invited to participate in a workshop for song leaders when I was in my 30's that Pete did in Berkeley. It was great to be in his company & get advice as to how to song lead. And we had the wonderful Ronnie Gilbert living here in Berkeley where she would perform every so often. So great to be able to enjoy these marvelous folk who are no longer with us on RU-vid.
Joe, my condolences on the loss of your friend. Pete Seeger was one of the greatest, and there are still many of us who have appreciated him over the years, and will continue to do so, even as we miss him. Rest in peace, Pete.
Thank you Joe Stead! I find these gems on RU-vid without looking for them and they bring so much feeling and enjoyment to me... This is a top-notch example! I was crying with so much happiness I couldn't sing along!
Hi. We, The Seekers, have just been touring Australia and at each concert, before we sing WHEN THE STARS BEGIN TO FALL, Judith Durham paid great tribute to the Weavers all, specially mentioning Ronnie Gilbert. The Weavers were our role models and Bruce Woodley and I were particularly inspired by Pete Seeger when he visited Melbourne in 1963. We were able to attend a workshop given by Pete Seeger following his concert and it remains one of my abiding recollections of his visit. Keith Potger
Keith Potger My banjo playing was influenced by both Pete Seeger & The Seegers in the 1960s. My first songbook was Pete' s "America's Favourite Ballads" My first banjo had the extra couple of frets just like Pete's but my first guitar was a Australian made Maton. Thank you to Pete Seeger & The Weavers, The Seekers and Peter Paul & Mary for great music that I enjoy as much today as I did more than half a century ago.
Still comes back on this one from time to time... People don't seem to realize what the Weavers and Pete Seeger in all his incarnations, from the Almanach Singers to his solo years, have brought to music. His recorded works span so much traditionnal tunes and songs from all over the world and even if his "get-up-and-go" got up and went as he says, he sang until the very end - Listen to "Arrange and Rearrange", a fantastic song. One of the best compilation of his work is called "Songs of Hope and Struggle" and that could just defined what he brought to the world and why we should be so thankful he was there. May he rest in peace. He won't be forgotten.
Agreed! I'm currently reading his writings in the archives at The Smithsonian on line. Lee was the forgotten genius, forgotten no more, now that I've discovered him.
This looks like it was a lot more than fifteen years ago. But these people represent the last of the "greatest generation." Good people with talent and taste. Decency was, for the most part, at its height back when they were at the height of their careers. "This, too, shall pass" was my mother's (1917-1999) favorite saying. I love the joke about the kidney stones. Yup, we are all getting older.
What's amazing is Pete's get up and go didn't leave him for another 33 years after this concert! He was still performing and chopping wood outside his cabin until weeks before he died. What a remarkable way to spend almost 100 years of life.
No Pete, no Weavers. Pete was their organizer, leader, and major song writer. Ronnie was their best singer that was a major component of their excellent sound. Unfortunately Ronnie didn't have good song writers write for her after the Weavers.
Ronnie sang amazing music; some from Holly Near, some from traditional sources. The weavers music was mostly traditional. She sang until she was well up in years just not a lot of touring. The Weavers were among the most influential song groups of their time. Their records and books are still widely used and widely available.
