Ronnie Gilbert ~ 88 ~ Singer with The Weavers (along with Pete Seeger, Lee Hays and Fred Hellerman), the group who kicked off the 1950's Folk Revival with hits like "Goodnight Irene", "Kisses Sweeter than Wine", "The Wreck of the John B" (aka "Sloop John B"), "Rock Island Line", "If I Had A Hammer", "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", and "The Midnight Special". The Weavers popularized the work of Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Solomon Linda and John Jacob Niles and influenced later figures like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul & Mary, The Rooftop Singers, Kingston Trio and The Tokens. The Weavers were also heavily involved in left wing politics especially civil rights and anti-war and as such they were widely blacklisted from radio and television after Seeger and Hays refused to testify in front of the House Un-American Committee, and even though they scored a number of pop hits. The broke up and reformed several times throughout the mid-fifties and sixties until they finally disbanded in 1964. They reformed for a reunion in 1980 which was filmed for a hit movie "Wasn't That A Party". Ronnie Gilbert went on to sing with the group HARP with Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie as well as Holly Near. She later wrote and appeared in a one-woman show about early twentieth century leftist leader Mother Jones.
THE WEAVERS ~ "GOODNIGHT IRENE";
THE WEAVERS ~ "TZENA TZENA TZENA";
THE WEAVERS ~ "WIMOWEH";
Jean Richie ~ 92 ~ American folk singer and mountain dulcimer player of the early 1960's Folk Revival, known as Queen Of The Dulcimer, she singlehandedly popularized the insturment.
JEAN RICHIE ~ "SHADY GROVE";
JEAN RICHIE ~ "MY DEAR COMPANION";
Leon Bibb ~ 93 ~ American Folk and Spiritual singer and actor from the 1950's on, civil rights leader with Paul Robeson and Dick Gregory for which he was blacklisted.
LEON BIBB ~ "ROCKS & GRAVEL"
LEON BIBB ~ "WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN";
Bruce Rowland ~ 74 ~ Drummer for 1960's British Folk-Rock band Fairport Convention, Ronnie Lane, Ronnie Wood, Shawn Phillips, Andy Mackay, Jackie Lomax, also played on "Jesus Christ Superstore".
FAIRPORT CONVENTION ~ "TIME THE WISER";
FAIRPORT CONVENTION;
Tut Taylor ~ 91 ~ American Bluegrass dobro player from the 1960's on with The Folk Swingers, The Dixie Gentlemen, John Hartford's Aero-Plane, and Jerry Douglas
JOHN HARTFORD ~ "TURN YOUR RADIO ON";
JOHN HARDFORD'S AERO-PLANE ~ "STEAM POWERED AEROPLANE";
Bill Keith ~ 75 ~ Bluegrass banjo player from the 1960's on with the Bluegrass Boys, Jim Kweskin Jug Band, Ian & Sylvia Tyson, Ritchie Havens, David Grisman, Geoff and Maria Muldaur, Judy Collins, Jonathan Edwards, Loudon Wainwright III, The Bee Gees
BILL MONROE ~ "UNCLE PEN";
GREAT SPECKLED BIRD ~ "CRAZY ARMS";
Bobby Hill ~ 83 ~ Montreal Bluegrass and Old Tyme Country singer/guitarist ("The Ballad Of Rocket Richard"
BOBBY HILL ~ "THE BALLAD OF ROCKET RICHARD";
Ron Hynes ~ 64 ~ Newfoundland folk singer from the 1970's on w/The Wonderful Grand Band and solo;
RON HYNES ~ "SONNY'S DREAM";
