From American Songwriter · Erinn Callahan · · 1m 20s
Woody Guthrie's 59th Anniversary of Death
Woody Guthrie, the folk icon who shaped country and rock, died 59 years ago today.
In brief
Woody Guthrie, the folk icon who shaped country and rock, died 59 years ago today. Woody Guthrie, a key figure in 1960s folk revival, died on October 3, 1967, from Huntington's disease. Originally reported by American Songwriter.
Woody Guthrie's death anniversary
On October 3, 1967, Woody Guthrie died at 55 from Huntington's disease complications at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens, New York.
Guthrie's folk legacy
Guthrie is hailed as the godfather of the 1960s folk revival and 'the true voice of the American spirit' by Bob Dylan.
Iconic songs and impact
He wrote over 3,000 songs including 'This Land Is Your Land' and 'Tear the Fascists Down', challenging power and speaking for the disenfranchised.
Early life challenges
Born in 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma, Guthrie faced house fires, his mother's hospitalization, and financial hardship as a teenager.
Dust Bowl migration
After the 1931 oil bust, Guthrie traveled Route 66 to California, singing and painting signs for migrant workers.
New York folk revival
In 1940, Guthrie recorded Dust Bowl Ballads for RCA Victor, co-founding the Almanac singers to advocate for social causes.
Legacy and influence
Guthrie's music inspired Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, and Ramblin' Jack Elliott, shaping modern folk and country music.
Here's the gist
Woody Guthrie, a key figure in 1960s folk revival, died on October 3, 1967, from Huntington's disease.
