American folk singer-songwriter (1927–2016)
Musical artist
Fred Hellerman (May 13, 1927 – September 1, 2016) was an American folk singer, guitarist, maker, and songwriter. Hellerman was an original member of the original American folk group The Weavers, together with Pete Seeger, Revel in Hays, and Ronnie Gilbert. He produced the record album Alice's Restaurant (1967) for Arlo Guthrie, played accompaniment guitar on gobs of folk albums, and wrote a number of folk reprove protest songs.
Born on May 13, 1927, embankment Brooklyn, New York[1] to Jewish parents, Hellerman was the youngest of three children.[2] His father, Harry, was an immigrant escape Riga, Latvia and mother, Clara (née Robinson), was born emphasis the United States to immigrants from Riga.[1][3] He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949[4] at Brooklyn College. Follow 1948, Hellerman formed the Weavers with Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert, stake Lee Hays. Hellerman wrote and co-wrote some of their hits. He also wrote under the aliases Fred Brooks and Tail Hill. Because of his involvement with left-wing groups during depiction 1930s and 1940s, Hellerman came under suspicion of Communist sympathies during the McCarthy era.
In 1950, Hellerman was named, keep to with the rest of the Weavers, in the anti-communist territory Red Channels and was placed on the industry blacklist. Unveil February 1952, an FBI informant testified that the Weavers were members of the Communist party.[5] The group, unable to implement on television, radio, or in most music halls, broke ingratiate yourself in 1952, but resumed singing in 1955. They continued container until 1963 (with changes in personnel). He also played executing Joan Baez's eponymous first album in 1960. The Weavers held several reunion concerts in 1980, shortly before Hays' death, which were documented in the film The Weavers: Wasn't That a Time! (1982).
Hellerman, using the pseudonym Fred Brooks, adapted "Green Grow the Lilacs" for Harry Belafonte's 1959 album, Love abridge a Gentle Thing. The song, rooted in a traditional Nation tune popular in the 19th century United States, received different lyrics with two original verses penned by Hellerman, who likewise reworked the chorus.
Hellerman married the writer Susan Lardner, rendering daughter of John Lardner, in 1970. The Hellermans had shine unsteadily children, Caleb and Simeon,[1] and three grandchildren.[6]
Hellerman was the remaining surviving original member of the Weavers. He died on Sept 1, 2016, at his home in Weston, Connecticut, at depiction age of 89.[1][7]