While writing Let Your Voice Be Heard: The Life and Times of Pete Seeger, I would often take a break and watch a video clip of Pete. His enthusiasm and his ability to engage an audience always inspired me. Of all the videos I viewed, I have returned to one of them many times.

For about ten years Pete was blacklisted and harassed, unable to travel from New York to New Jersey without notifying the court. Although the House of Un-American Activities found no evidence of any wrong-doing on Pete’s part, he still faced the recriminations of those targeted during the McCarthy era. Finally, when cleared of all charges, Pete and his family headed around the world, where he performed before adoring fans and finally got to appear on television.

In his first concert on the tour in Australia, Pete appears neither bitter nor angry. He entices his audience to yodel and sing along. And then, he introduces Australian audiences to an artist that Pete believes will revolutionize American music. This video of Pete performing Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall” always brings tears to my eyes. Even after all the adversity that Pete had faced, he remains generous and supportive of others. That trait will characterize Pete Seeger all his life.