The Legacy of American Folk Musicians

Sound and Recording
B. Thomas Cooper
Editor

Editors Note:
This is the third of a series of articles about Bluegrass and American folk music I prepared for Helium.com I hope you find it interesting.

We are fortunate that as of this article, many of the great American Folk singers are still alive and productive, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Pete Seeger.

Seeger, born May 3rd, 1919 was a friend and contemporary of Woody Guthrie's and represents one of the last living connections to a bygone era. Seeger is best known for co-writing the classic folk songs Where Have All The Flowers Gone' and If I had A Hammer'. His contributions to American folk music are priceless.



Bob Dylan Is a living legend. His songs have been performed by some of the greatest musicians in modern history. Songs include Blowin' in the Wind', A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall' and Knockin' On Heaven's Door.

Also among the living, Joan Baez continues to perform, and is currently touring in support of her vast body of work. Baez possesses an amazing voice, and an uncanny style. She is probably known best for her classic song, Diamonds and Rust'.

Unfortunately, other extraordinary folk artists like Phil Ochs and the legendary Woody Guthrie have been gone for far to long. It is up to us, the living, to preserve their legacies for future generations. American folk music in an art form unique to America, and it's pioneers, true American heroes.