Culture

Odetta, American Folk Music Legend, Dies at 77

by MJMdeO | December 2, 2008 at 04:32 pm

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The ‘Queen of American Folk Music’ passes at age 77

American folksinger Odetta died this evening, December 02, 2008. The 77-year-old singer was being cared for at New York's Lenox Hill hospital for health complications.

Odetta was considered to be one of the most influential folk artists of the past 50 years, notably for influencing other women performers such as Janis Joplin and Joan Baez. She was even credited for inspiring Bob Dylan's early decision to trade in his electric guitar for an acoustic one.

Performing alongside Pete Seeger and Harry Belafonte, Odetta's work throughout the American civil rights movement led Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to refer to her as the "queen of American folk music."

Odetta, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, hoped to be well enough to perform at US President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration celebration in January 2009. A consummate performer to the end, it was her last desire to sing Labi Siffre's song entitled, "Something Inside So Strong" that kept her in good spirits according to close friends.

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Jarrett Martineau

at 16:48 on December 2nd, 2008

Thanks for this post.

Please consider including Odetta Gordon in the headline, as this will help more readers discover your story.

Jarrett Martineau

at 17:09 on December 2nd, 2008

Thanks for the update!

localcolorist

at 17:42 on December 2nd, 2008

Odetta is a beloved musician and artistic genius who I have loved for over 40 years. In October of 2008 she performed at the 8th Annual Hardly Strictly Blue Grass Festival in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Warren Hellman is the founder of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival and has provided this grand musical gift to the city of San Francisco as a free festival for the audience. Odetta's performance was transcendent and I am so lucky to have heard her live for the first time in my life. Rest in Peace Beautiful Angel.

localcolorist has contributed a photo to this story.

quotato

at 17:50 on December 2nd, 2008

That first name "Odetta" sticks deep in the mind for sure. I did not know she was still performing her music in 2008. The fact that she was ready to perform at President-Elect Obama's inauguration, in 2009, proves that she was a true troubadour to the last guitar chord she sounded recently.

Jon Azpiri

at 18:14 on December 2nd, 2008

Sad news. Her song "Hit or Miss" is a classic.

ravensview

at 20:06 on December 2nd, 2008

I heard Odetta at the Ottawa Folk Festival in August/08, and as part of the photo crew I was right at the edge of the stage. A beautiful voice, and a beautiful lady, who so obviously loved her singing.

ravensview has contributed a photo to this story.