The Folk Music Revival, 1958–1970

This is the second in a series of books focusing upon the history of folk music. This volume concentrates on the period that continues to fuel popular music to the present. It was an exciting time, one that changed the complexity of folk music. Included are biographies and discographies of such noted personalities as Harry Belafonte, Buffy St. Marie, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Simon and Garfunkel, and Peter, Paul and Mary. With information on influential artists from other countries (the Clancy Brothers, Miriam Makeba and others), people “behind the scenes” and major political figures, here is a solid representation of an epoch that still generates enormous enthusiasm.

David Dicaire is the author of numerous works about music history. He lives in Leamington, Ontario, Canada.

David Dicaire
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 323
Bibliographic Info: discographies, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2011
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6352-7
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8678-6
Imprint: McFarland

Introduction      1

Part One. The Revivalists: Behind the Scenes      7

Gordon Friesen (1909–1996) and Agnes “Sis” Cunningham (1909–2004) Broadside Magazine      9

Harold Leventhal (1919–2005) The Star Maker      13

Milton Okun (1923– ) The Studio Chameleon      16

Irwin Silber (1925–2010) The Broker      20

Kenneth Goldstein (1927–1995) The Scholarly Folkie      23

Ralph Rinzler (1934–1994) Background Man      27

Frank Hamilton (1934– ) The Teacher      31

Part Two. The Revivalists: The Performers      37

Erik Darling (1933–2008) Walk Right In      39

Doc Watson (1923– ) Deep Gap Folkie      43

Harry Belafonte (1927– ) Caribbean Folk      48

Bob Gibson (1931–1996) 12-String Songs      54

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott (1931– ) Hard Travelin’      58

Eric Von Schmidt (1931–2007) Cambridge Folk      63

Fred Neil (1936–2001) Cult Success      67

Dave Van Ronk (1936–2002) The Mayor of MacDougal Street      72

John “Spider” Koerner (1938– ) Spider Web      78

Judy Collins (1939– ) A Golden Voice      84

Richie Havens (1941– ) Mixed Bag      89

Tom Rush (1941– ) The Circle Game      95

Tim Hardin (1941–1980) Bird on a Wire      99

Eric Andersen (1943– ) Blue River      102

Part Three. The Political Folk      107

Odetta Holmes (1930–2008) Voice of the Civil Rights Movement      108

Utah Phillips (1935–2008) The Golden Voice of the Great Southwest      115

Peggy Seeger (1935– ) Manchester Angel      120

Tom Paxton (1937– ) Ramblin’ Boy      125

Carolyn Hester (1937– ) Texas Songbird      132

Phil Ochs (1940–1976) The Singing Journalist      137

Joan Baez (1941– ) Determined      144

Bob Dylan (1941– ) Folk Troubadour      151

Country Joe McDonald (1942– ) Fixin’ to Die      162

Arlo Guthrie (1947– ) Family Link      169

Part Four. Groups and Duos      175

The Kingston Trio (1956– ) Trendsetters      177

The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem (1956–2007) Irish Hearts      184

Chad Mitchell Trio (1958–1967) Missed Opportunities      192

New Lost City Ramblers (1958–1975) Old- Time Reintroduction      197

Ian and Sylvia Tyson (1959–1975) Canadian Folk Duo      204

The Limeliters (1959–1965, 1973–2010) Successful Formula      209

Peter, Paul and Mary (1961–1970) Deep Roots      214

Simon and Garfunkel (1964–1970) The Sounds of Silence      221

The Byrds (1964–1973) Folk Rock Fusion      230

The Lovin’ Spoonful (1965–1968) Good- Time Folk      236

Part Five. Other Performers      241

Miriam Makeba (1932–2008) Empress of African Song      243

Gordon Lightfoot (1938– ) Canadian Troubadour      249

Buffy Sainte- Marie (1941– ) Canadian Native Folk      256

Martin Carthy (1941– ) Father of the English Folk Revival      262

Bert Jansch (1943– ) English Finger Picker      270

Joni Mitchell (1943– ) Canadian Prairie Folk      277

Ralph McTell (1944– ) Streets of London      284

Donovan Leitch (1946– ) Sunshine Superman      292

Bibliography      299

Index      303

“recommended”—Reference Reviews; “this book collects…biographies of mainly American musicians and others involved in the folk music revival scene, giving details on the subject’s career and brief background on early life, education, and family”—Reference & Research Book News.