Pete Seeger, who died in 2014 at the age of 94, was the grand old man of labor and folk music. His career dated back more than half a century, to his time in the Almanac Singers and the Weavers, when he sang alongside Woody Guthrie and other greats. Branded a Communist in the 1950s for his political views, support of unions and civil rights work, and blacklisted by major recording labels, he hung in there and carried on the good fight for what he thought right. He probably put in more miles on labor picket lines than anyone can count. CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE SONG. David Rovics has become a fixture in the North American protest scene, performing at countless demonstrations both here and abroad, and speaking out on such causes as the environment, U.S. foreign policy, globalization and other topics related to taking on the status quo, including the labor cause. He has shared the stage with the likes of Pete Seeger, Billy Bragg, Michael Moore and Ralph Nader. --Click here to listen to the song. Many of the songs selected for this feature are available from the Labor Heritage Foundation. From the CD "I Dreamed I Heard Joe Hill Last Night," comes a gathering of radical union songs and poetry by union organizer and musician John Pietaro, developed in collaboration with historian/author Paul Buhle, and project producer/guitarist Clifford Murphy, to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). It was sponsored by the Rhode Island Labor History Society. --Click here to listen to the song. Many of the songs selected for this feature are available from the Labor Heritage Foundation Founded in 1991, The New York City Labor Chorus promotes union solidarity by expressing through song the history and ongoing struggles of workers for economic and social justice. Their dynamic repertoire combines the power and culture of union music with the great gospel, jazz, classical and folk traditions. —Click here to listen to the song. Many of the songs selected for this feature are available from the Labor Heritage Foundation. |