WOODY GUTHRIE
Name: Woodrow Wilson Guthrie
Born: 14 July 1912 Okemah, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died: 3 October 1967 New York City, New York, U.S.
Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Guthrie (July 14, 1912 - October 3, 1967) was an American
songwriter and folk musician. Guthrie's musical legacy consists of hundreds of
songs, ballads and improvised works covering topics from political themes to
traditional songs to children's songs. Guthrie performed continually throughout
his life with his guitar frequently displaying the slogan "This Machine Kills
Fascists". Guthrie is perhaps best known for his song "This Land Is Your Land"
which is regularly sung in American schools. Many of his recorded songs are
archived in the Library of Congress.
Guthrie traveled across the United States and spent time learning traditional
folk and blues songs. His experience following migrant workers from Oklahoma to
California inspired him to write his own original folk songs about working
people. He was a first-hand observer and survivor of the economic and
environmental hardships of the Dust Bowl era during the Great Depression and
became known as the "Dust Bowl Troubadour". Guthrie was associated with, but
never a member of, Communist groups in the United States throughout his life.
Guthrie was married three times and fathered eight children, including American
folk musician Arlo Guthrie. He is the grandfather of musician Sarah Lee Guthrie.
Guthrie died from complications of the degenerative neurologic affliction known
as Huntington's Disease. In spite of his illness, during his later years Guthrie
served as a figurehead in the folk movement providing inspiration to a
generation of new folk musicians, including mentor relationships with Ramblin'
Jack Elliott and Bob Dylan.
Name: Woodrow Wilson Guthrie
Born: 14 July 1912 Okemah, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died: 3 October 1967 New York City, New York, U.S.
Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Guthrie (July 14, 1912 - October 3, 1967) was an American
songwriter and folk musician. Guthrie's musical legacy consists of hundreds of
songs, ballads and improvised works covering topics from political themes to
traditional songs to children's songs. Guthrie performed continually throughout
his life with his guitar frequently displaying the slogan "This Machine Kills
Fascists". Guthrie is perhaps best known for his song "This Land Is Your Land"
which is regularly sung in American schools. Many of his recorded songs are
archived in the Library of Congress.
Guthrie traveled across the United States and spent time learning traditional
folk and blues songs. His experience following migrant workers from Oklahoma to
California inspired him to write his own original folk songs about working
people. He was a first-hand observer and survivor of the economic and
environmental hardships of the Dust Bowl era during the Great Depression and
became known as the "Dust Bowl Troubadour". Guthrie was associated with, but
never a member of, Communist groups in the United States throughout his life.
Guthrie was married three times and fathered eight children, including American
folk musician Arlo Guthrie. He is the grandfather of musician Sarah Lee Guthrie.
Guthrie died from complications of the degenerative neurologic affliction known
as Huntington's Disease. In spite of his illness, during his later years Guthrie
served as a figurehead in the folk movement providing inspiration to a
generation of new folk musicians, including mentor relationships with Ramblin'
Jack Elliott and Bob Dylan.