Yesterday the legendary Pete Seeger celebrated 90 years on this earth with an intimate gathering of friends at Madison Square Garden. You know, just the typical birthday party with a guest list that included Arlo Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Emmylou Harris, Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson, John Mellencamp, Oscar the Grouch, Tim Robbins, his son, and many many more (51 all in all). Even Barack Obama sent a greeting to the singer, praising him for voicing "the hopes and dreams of everyday people," reports the NY Times. The grand finale included “This Land Is Your Land,” a song he sang at the President's inauguration, with everyone (including his 95-year-old brother) on stage to sing along.
The show wasn't all about Mr. Seeger, though—forever the activist, he also put the focus on his environmental group, Clearwater, which aims to clean the Hudson River. We'd have to agree with the Huffington Post and his legions of supporters when they say that this man deserves more than a party, he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.






Ho-lee crap, does he look good for 90 or what? Those are some damn good Seeger genes.
Now that's a man whose life definitely needed to be celebrated in such a grandiose fashion. I wish I had the money to see that. Great great great man
Next time I start brooding over my age, slap me with this story.
Stay cool, Pete!
90 years young. Keep on folkin'.
There's a movement to get Pete a Nobel Peace Prize, which is only awarded to the living.
http://www.nobelprize4pete.org/prize.html
That's the appearance of someone who truly lives with good will and humor in their heart.
What a wonderful show. A real celebration of a great man, a man who deserves a Nobel Peace Prize (http://www.nobelprize4pete.org/) for his work for the environment, for peace, for racial understanding, for labor.
Anyone too young to know about Pete's efforts should spend a few minutes viewing some of the videos of his performances on youtube. In particular, watch "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy," (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXnJVkEX8O4) which CBS banned from a broadcast of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour during the Vietnam War.
I first saw Pete perform...aboard the Clearwater, nearly 35 years ago. Despite a failing voice, he remains as charismatic and powerful now.
It was thrilling to see so many great musicians, young and old, interpret Pete's music and perform music in tribute to Pete. There were four Woodstock veterans on stage last night, as well as many who were not even alive at that time. If I had to pick one highlight, however, it would be Dave Matthew's interpretation of "Rye Whiskey" Truly inspired. Can't wait until the PBS broadcast of the concert is aired later this year!
The show was a bit long for me but had some great highlights including: Richie Havens singing "Motherless Child," Elizabeth Seeger reciting a poem about her brother Pete, Taj Mahal singing "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy," Bruce Springsteen describing Pete as a "stealth dagger through the heart of what this country thinks of itself...he looks like your granddad if your granddad can kick your ass," and watching Pete's face glow as he sang the very last encore, "Goodnight Irene." Judging by the looks of Pete, his older brother Charlie and his sister Elizabeth, the Seeger gene pool should definitely be included in all longevity studies.
This Stalinist hack should have been tasted the gulag life he wished on so many of his fellow Americans...
Elaborate please.
Also, TSOL is the shittiest band of all time.
Best concert I've ever seen.
I'm surprised it didn't turn into a Hamas fundraiser.