Pete Seeger’s appearances at Carnegie Hall span more than half a century. His first appearances were at benefits for a variety of left-wing political causes in the 1940s; in December 1955, he reunited with the Weavers (who had disbanded a few years earlier, in part because they’d been blacklisted) for a sold-out concert—a success the group repeated a few months later in 1956. But it was his iconic version of “We Shall Overcome,” the title song of his 1963 album recorded live at Carnegie Hall, that still resonates today.
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The easiest way to avoid wrong notes is to never open your mouth and sing. What a mistake that would be.
— PETE SEEGER
From the Archives
Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Judy Collins and Arlo Guthrie performing at a Woody Guthrie tribute concert, January 20, 1968 (Photo by David Gahr)Flyer advertising a concert by Pete Seeger and Sonny Terry, December 27, 1958 (Courtesy of the Carnegie Hall Archives)Flyer for a December 24, 1955 Carnegie Hall concert by The Weavers. The Weavers were blacklisted at the height of the McCarthy era, and this concert ended their three-year forced hiatus. (Courtesy of the Carnegie Hall Archives)Quote from Pete Seeger's “Turn, Turn, Turn” in the composer's hand, inscribed “Happy Birthday to Carnegie Hall” in honor of Carnegie Hall's centennial in 1991 (Courtesy of the Carnegie Hall Archives)
Pete Seeger at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall’s performance history database covers more than 50,000 concerts and events that occurred at Carnegie Hall from its opening in 1891 to the present. Explore events related to Pete Seeger (these links will open in a new tab with the performance history search tools):
