The Weavers

The Weavers
OriginGreenwich Village, New York City, United States
GenresFolk
Years active1948–1952, 1955–1964, 1980
(occasional reunions between 1964 and 1980)
LabelsDecca, Vanguard
Past membersRonnie Gilbert
Lee Hays
Fred Hellerman
Pete Seeger
Erik Darling
Frank Hamilton
Bernie Krause

The Weavers were an American folk music quartet based in the Greenwich Village area of New York City originally consisting of Lee Hays, Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert, and Fred Hellerman. Founded in 1948, the group sang traditional folk songs from around the world, as well as blues, gospel music, children's songs, labor songs, and American ballads. The group sold millions of records at the height of their popularity, including the first folk song to reach No. 1 on popular music charts, their recording of Lead Belly's "Goodnight, Irene." Despite their popularity, the Weavers were blacklisted during much of the 1950s.

During the Red Scare, members of the group were followed by the FBI and blacklisted, with Seeger and Hayes called in to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities

Seeger left the group in 1958. His tenor and banjo part was covered in succession by Erik Darling, Frank Hamilton and finally Bernie Krause until the group disbanded in 1964.


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