Pete Seeger 90th Birthday party at MadisonSqGarden

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: Joybell
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 06:11 PM

It was Marie Goonan of Melbourne (via Sandra of Sydney -- I think) who proposed the gatherings around the world on Pete's birthday. "For Pete's Sake Sing" she's calling them. Plans are well underway here in Victoria, Australia.
Our party, in our little town, has a tiny line-up of singers. Two of us -- both listed under H. We're keen though and True-love has stories to tell about Pete and about the 60s in America when he was on the same scene there. And of course the songs.
We're asking a donation, whatever people can afford -- free if they can't, to go to the local hall.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: Bill H //\\
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 05:57 PM

I agree on all counts with what Ron said but with the caveat ---it is not a concert that Pete Seeger would have put on. I believe (and hope) that he was not involved in the producing of this event and I also doubt it will lead to another "folk revival" or "scare" but rather be a huge happening since some of the names ---Springsteen comes to mind--could fill that hall in the blink of an eye.

What is nice is that they are lending their names and talents to the event and, other than the lead line giving the name of the concert in the announcement AMEX printed in today's NY Times, all names are equal size---I also suspect that Pete had something to do with the guaranteed lower price seats (probably in the stratosphere).

As far as helping the Clearwater Organization this should be a financial boon to them. As far as tribute goes---I think the Kennedy Ctr honors covered that and looking back at it now companies like Ticketmaster (who recently settled their scalping issue with NJ--Springsteen tickets) and AMEX were never involved, to my knowledge with any Seeger or Folk concerts prior to that. Weavers tickets were Town Hall Box Office or Carnegie Box Office.

I guess the suggestion to have local tributes would be more meaningful and less cash producing---sort of akin to a cake sale vs booking MSG. This is the type of thing I doubt that anyone will ever know who thought it up and who organized it. One has to figure the Clearwater Org. is trying to do its good works on a larger scale and one can only hope that commerecialism will not be rearing its head there.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 09:51 AM

When I first got wind of this event a few months ago, I assumed it was going to be held in the theater at Madison Square Garden, not the main arena. I assumed it would be a folkie event that might fill the smaller 5600 seat room. I did not expect that they would put the event in the "main room" that holds 20,000.

The purpose IS to raise money for Clearwater. In February, the Clearwater launched a major initiative called the Next Generation Legacy Project - with Pete's involvement. The idea is to teach the next generation of environmental leaders. Over the past 40 years, there is a core group that "gets it" and has made significant contributions to protecting our environment.   Clearwater is opening a brand new Clearwater Center in May that will serve as a headquarters and production facility for a number of projects. The site will also be a "camp" that will house seminars, retreats, training programs and pull together all of Clearwater's resources to enable a "new" generation.

Obviously there are glaring ommissions to the concert lineup IF the event was intended to be a tribute to Pete - but it is obviously more than that. While I doubt that Pete had ANY hand in producing the lineup, I am sure that he realizes the importance of the event to create a NEW opportunity to reach a NEW audience to spread the message of the Clearwater. It would be easy to fill a smaller venue with folk favorites and close friends and supporters, but that would preach to the choir - and this event should be looked at for the better good that it can do. There will be plenty of ruffle feathers, but we should all keep our sights on the greater goal.

Pete has his famous "misquote" of Thomas Jefferson - "the price of liberty is eternal publicity".   This concert SHOULD be a "Hollywood" event in my estimation and hopefully there will be new generations that will be inspired by what they see and hear.   We often complain about the lack of involvement of youth and the seeming indifference to social themes in pop music. 40 or 50 years or even 60 years ago - generations were inspired by Pete Seeger to make their own music AND to make a change in this world. As Pete turns 90, this opportunity exists to continue the tradition.   

I would hope that the folk community can support this effort and overlook what we see as oversights. There is greater work to be done.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGar
From: Anglo
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 02:39 AM

None of the original Clearwater Singing Crew were invited, and none of the Second either. Looks like a bunch of "names" to me. Probably good for Clearwater though.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: GUEST,Mary Katherine
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 11:36 PM

Frank, not only were you and Roger McGuinn not invited, nor other Weavers as mentioned above, but Pete's brother and sister Mike and Peggy were not included either, and only found out about it by seeing it mentioned on the internet.

Does anyone know who the organizers actually are? No contact info is shown on the web site.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: GUEST,booklynrose
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 10:54 PM

May 3 is Pete Seeger's birthday. He had asked people to hold singing parties to raise money for Clearwater (to clean up the Hudson River). This sounds like a good one.
   Someone on Mudcat had suggested that we all honor Pete by holding singing gatherings on his birthday.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGar
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 06:11 PM

So is that going to be on Pete's actual birthday, May 3rd, or is it like the Queen, with an Official Birthday on some other date?

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGar
From: Stringsinger
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 05:53 PM

I see it as a Hollywood Extravaganza for folkies.

I wonder how much Pete really had to do with the planning of it.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: Art Thieme
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 12:20 PM

an aside:

When he was on the program with others in fundraisers, and it was pretty clear that he was to be the draw, Pete always stipulated that the lineup of artists be listed alphabetically. Also stipulated was that his name not be in larger type than anyone else. That put Mr. Seeger way toward the list's end. --- (But I was usually one below him ;-) In that case, for me, guilt by association was a consummation devoutly to be wished!!!!!

Art

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGarden
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 12:03 PM

It is very true that the announced list of performers seem to be missing a lot of folks that were close to Pete during his "career". I did not notice Ronnie Gilbert or Fred Hellerman on that list, and where are the Hudson River Sloop Singers?   

Still, there is a good cross-section. The lineup speaks to the universal message that Pete has always shared and the fact that folk music is a living tradition.

It is also important to realize that this event is a MAJOR fund raising opportunity for Clearwater, an organization that will always be Pete's legacy. Filling up Madison Square Garden is not the same as filling Carneigie Hall or a simple union hall. By reaching across genres and including contemporary artists of a commercial bend, this event represents an important opportunity for Clearwater to secure funds AND to reach new eyes and ears.   Spreading the message and carrying on the work becomes the motivating factor. I doubt that Pete would have participated in such an event if it were not for the opportunity that it offers Clearwater.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MadisonSqGar
From: Stringsinger
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 06:38 PM

Well Roger McGuinn and I were not invited. Guess we aren't some of Pete's closest friends.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MSG
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 02:03 PM

The lineup includes a number of people. I think people should check out the website - there is something for everyone.

I think the diverse lineup really carries Pete's message across and the true definition of folk music.

Subject: RE: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MSG
From: GLoux
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 02:01 PM

Ron,

Thanks for posting. I checked the website and see that the lineup includes:

Preservation Hall Jazz Band with Del McCoury

I googled for more info and found out that he's doing "tubagrass"...

The possiblities are limitless...

Happy Birthday to Pete!!!

-Greg

Subject: Pete Seeger 90th Birthday part at MSG
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 10:24 AM

Pete Seeger's 90th Birthday will be celebrated in the intimate Madison Square Garden with an all-star lineup paying tribute. 20,000 of Pete's closest friends will be able to attend and all money raised will go to support the Clearwater. A majority of the tickets will be priced at $90, there will be special packages for $250, and there are more affordable tickets also available.

The incredibly diverse lineup includes Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Eddie Vedder, Ani DiFranco, John Mellancamp, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Steve Earle plus a host of "folkies" including Arlo Guthrie, Guy Davis, Richie Havens, Joan Baez, Bruce Coburn, Ramblin Jack Elliot and so many more.   Visit www.seeger90.com for info.