Legendary Folk Singer Pete Seeger Dies at 94

Seeger's grandson Kitama Cahill Jackson confirms the death of the singer/songwriter, saying that Seeger passed away of natural causes at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

Legendary folk singer/songwriter Pete Seeger, who popularized "This Land Is Your Land" and "We Shall Overcome" among others, has passed away. Quoting his grandson Kitama Cahill Jackson, The Associated Press reports that Seeger passed away on Monday night, January 27. Seeger, who lived in Beacon, New York, died of natural causes at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital at the age of 94. 

Seeger was born on May 3, 1919, to a musicologist father and violinist mother. His parents later got divorced. Young Seeger started playing Ukulele when attending Avon Old Farms, a private boarding school in Connecticut. He later was introduced to the five-string banjo during an outing to a square-dance festival in North Carolina with his father. 

As a member of The Weavers, Seeger is popular for some hits such as "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine", "If I Had a Hammer" and Lead Belly's "Goodnight, Irene". He also wrote "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?". 

Seeger's music influenced the works of popular musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Dave Matthews, Rufus Wainwright, John Mellencamp and Arlo Guthrie who appeared in Seeger's 90th birthday concert at Madison Square Garden. Springsteen and Seeger additionally performed "This Land Is Your Land" at President Obama's inaugural concert. "He was so happy that day. It was like, 'Pete, you outlasted the bastards, man.' It was so nice," Springsteen said later, as quoted by USA Today. 


Seeger is survived by a son, Daniel; two daughters, Mika Seeger and Tinya Seeger; six grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Seeger's wife Toshi passed away in 2013 at the age of 91.