American Folk Singer Pete Seeger Dies At 94

The singer/songwriter that gave us popular songs like “Where Have All The Flowers Gone” and “Turn Turn Turn” has died at the age of 94.

Seeger has been credited with inspiring singers like Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Dave Matthews and many others.

Springsteen called him “the father of American folk music.”

Seeger was also known for his political activism. He is the only member in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame to be convicted of contempt by Congress. In 1955, he refused to testify about his past membership in the Communist Party. He later said publicly he regretted that and his conviction was eventually overturned.

His song “We Shall Overcome” became the anthem of the 1960’s American Civil Rights Movement.

The group The Weavers, which Seeger co-founded in 1948, had a hit with the song “Goodnight Irene.” They are credited with inspiring other folk groups The Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Jefferson Airplane.

Seeger was born in New York on May 3, 1919, to musical parents. His father was a Harvard-trained composer. His mother, Constance, was a concert violinist.

Seeger died Monday in New York City of natural causes.