get yer hammer

American folk guy ( I was going to say icon, but he wouldn't like it) Pete Seeger turned 90 yesterday. Born in New York City May 3, 1919, to a family of thinkers and doers. His dad a musical historian, his mother a violinist and teacher. Aunts, uncles and siblings were either musicians, poets or in one case, an astronomer.

Pete's first instrument was the ukulele, odd considering the number and quality of trained musicians around his home growing up. But a uke means you gotta have something else to hold the audience, and for Pete it was the grace, charm, wit and respect that flowed from the stage when he performed. He learned early on to captivate listeners with his voice and a simple instrument.

In college, his life changed musically when he heard a banjo for the first time. He was so crazy learning the banjo and messing with politics that grades began to slip. He dropped out in 1938 and looked about for something meaningful to focus his creative talents on. He was a puppeteer briefly, but it was a stint helping folk historian Alan Lomax that got him on the radio and the exposure to a wider audience.

So how good was he? Lessee, formed the Weavers, worked with the likes of Woodie Guthrie and Leadbelly. Monster good actually. At 90 he's still works for what matters with people who care.