Not sure why but I seem to be spending some time thinking about the past. My past. The things I remember from quite early in my life. People who have left a mark on my life. Now why I should rememebr Woody Guthrie so clearly I’m not too sure, his son Arlo Guthrie was more my generation, more of my time, but Woody Guthrie, and his music, for what ever reason is the one I remember. I can’t take credit for any of this, the information comes straight from wikipedia and the video clips are from utube, all I have done is put a few things together as a sort of homage to a man who left his mark on me.
Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Guthrie (July 14, 1912 – October 3, 1967) was an American songwriter and folk musician. Guthrie's musical legacy consists of hundreds of songs, ballads and improvised works covering topics from political themes to traditional songs to children's songs. Guthrie performed continually throughout his life with his guitar frequently displaying the slogan "This Machine Kills Fascists". Guthrie is perhaps best known for his song "This Land Is Your Land" which is regularly sung in American schools. Many of his recorded songs are archived in the Library of Congress.
Guthrie traveled with migrant workers from Oklahoma to California and learned traditional folk and blues songs. His songs are about his experiences in the Dust Bowl era during the Great Depression and he is known as the "Dust Bowl Troubadour." Guthrie was associated with, but never a member of, Communist groups in the United States throughout his life.
Guthrie was married three times and fathered eight children, including American folk musician Arlo Guthrie. He is the grandfather of musician Sarah Lee Guthrie. Guthrie died from complications of the degenerative neurological affliction known as Huntington's Disease. In spite of his illness, during his later years Guthrie served as a figurehead in the folk movement providing inspiration to a generation of new folk musicians, including mentor relationships with Ramblin' Jack Elliott and Bob Dylan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_Guthrie
It is amazing what some people, that many hardly remember, have accomplished. Hundreds of songs, of all types. Wow...and I am excited about writting one solitary poem. But it is also sad that someone that has made that much of a contribution can be so widely forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't mind me I'm just visiting friends of friends of friends:)
ReplyDeleteLike I said to my friend Diana, we all need heroes.
ReplyDeleteLoretta... Woody made an indelible impression on all generations. He was a genius and wrote many more songs that we know about. His daughter, Nora, is still discovering songs among his papers. He wrote about the "common man" and touched the hearts of all in the process. Small wonder that he made such a strong impression upon you. He reached across the ocean to touch you and countless others.... Thanks for sharing. Peace 'n' hugs............
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