Woody Guthrie “Anyone who uses more than two chords is just showing off.”

Why Woody Matters He lived through The Great Depression, The Great Dust Storm, WWII, and the political turmoil caused by Unionism, the Communism Party and The Cold War. He wrote almost 3,000 song lyrics, published two novels and authored poems, prose and plays. Many of his songs were protest songs. Today, he makes history seem palpable through his native ballads written in strophic form. Posthumously inducted into multiple hall of fames.

Early Years: Requisites of a Folk Artist Born in Okemah, Oklahoma, a small town in economic downturn, on July 14, Sister died in a fire, mother died in an insane asylum, father committed suicide by fire. Spent rest of childhood in an orphanage until 1929 at age 17 when he hit the road. He loved being a traveling, broke hobo who mostly played gigs in saloons

Music Playing Technique Learned how to play harmonica from a “colored boy who shined shoes” in his hometown. Eventually mastered the “Carter Family lick” guitar technique: – Involved rhythmic action in both hands – Hammered-on, pulled-off and slid while playing melody at the same time.

Gaining Notoriety Had first radio show on KFVD in Los Angeles, California from In that time was able to write songs that connected to people that had been disenfranchised by hardship. Juxtaposed John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath. “I Ain’t Got No Home,” “Going Down the Road Feelin’ Bad,” “Talking Dust Bowl Blues,” and “Do Re Mi” are just a few of his popular songs with which people could empathize. When he moved to New York in 1940 he joined the Almanac Singers who soon became very well-known amongst the public.

“Do Re Mi” Do Re Mi - Woody Guthrie - YouTube

Influences on Labor Unions Was a strong advocate for labor unions. Raised awareness of the hardships of migrant workers through song. “Do Re Mi” is about work-seeking migrants being blockaded from entering California. Recorded 1940 on Dust Bowl Ballads “Deportee(Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)” (1948) 32 migrant workers died with no recognition. “Union Burying Ground” and “Better World A’Comin” are both about the union movements.

World War II Woody served in the Merchant Marine and the Army. Composed hundreds of anti-Hitler, pro-war and ballads to rally the troops.(“Talking Merchant Marine,” “The Sinking of the Rueben James.”) The Army enlisted him to write songs about the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases.(“Venereal Disease Blues,” “Venereal Disease Waltz.”)

Influences on the Communist Party and The Cold War In the late 1940’s Woody was blacklisted for his activist stance on unions, free speech and equal rights. He had to move to Florida, where a friend housed other ousted, activist artists. Wrote a lot of anti-fascist songs at that time.(“Tear this Fascist Down,” “All You Fascists Bound to Lose.”) Eventually road-tripped back to New York.

Woody Guthrie~ All You Fascists Bound To Lose - YouTube Woody Guthrie~ All You Fascists Bound To Lose - YouTube

Death and Continued Legacy His health began to deteriorate around He was wrongfully diagnosed multiple times until finally the conclusion was made that he had Huntington’s Disease. While he was in the hospital, a young Bob Dylan paid him a visit to play him a song on Dylan’s guitar. Died October 3, 1967 at Creedmoor State Hospital in Queens, New York. After Woody’s death, his son Arlo Guthrie released “Alice’s Restaurant” which became the “iconic anti-war anthem of the next generation.”

Works Cited(MLA): Canoni, Anna. "Woody Guthrie's Biography." Woody Guthrie. Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc., Web. 4 Aug Guthrie, Woody, perf. Dir. Alan Lomax. Library of Congress Recordings. United States Library of Congress: Washington D.C., Mar Radio. "Woody Guthrie > Quotes." Good Reads. Goodreads Inc., Web. 5 Aug 2013.