Woodie Guthrie - American

04 Aug, 2024

Woodie Guthrie with his guitar on which is painted the word This Machine Kills Fascists

I've had a lifelong fascination with the song writer and folk musician, Woodie Guthrie. That's why I have his picture in the header of this blog with his iconic guitar, painted with the words "This Machine Kills Fascists." I read Joe Klein's biography of him, "Woodie Guthrie, A Life" after hearing Bruce Springsteen recommend it on his 1986 live album. The tattered paperback is one of my most treasured possessions.

Woody Guthrie (1912-1967) was one of America’s greatest folksingers and most influential songwriters. His songs celebrate the beauty and bounty of America and seek the truth about our country and its people. He turned complex ideas about democracy, human rights, and economic equality into simple songs that all Americans could embrace. Woody Guthrie spoke for those who carried a heavy burden or had come upon hard times — giving voice to their struggles and giving them hope and strength. - Woodie Guthrie Center