# Woody Guthrie's 59th Anniversary of Death

> Woody Guthrie, the folk icon who shaped country and rock, died 59 years ago today.
- Title: Woody Guthrie's 59th Anniversary of Death | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: woody guthrie, folk music, country music, rock music, huntington's disease, bobby dylan, dust bowl, route 66, almanac singers, rca victor, music, culture
- Source: American Songwriter — https://americansongwriter.com/59-years-ago-today-the-world-lost-the-towering-folk-figure-who-helped-shape-country-and-rock
- Author: Erinn Callahan
- Published: 2026-10-03T17:15:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: woody guthrie, folk music, country music, rock music, huntington's disease, bobby dylan, dust bowl, route 66, almanac singers, rca victor, music, culture
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Woody Guthrie, a key figure in 1960s folk revival, died on October 3, 1967, from Huntington's disease.