Joseph C. Hickerson (born October 20, 1935, in
Highland Park, Illinois
Highland Park is a suburban city located in the southeastern part of Lake County, Illinois, United States, about north of downtown Chicago. Per the 2020 census, the population was 30,176. Highland Park is one of several municipalities located o ...
) is a
folk singer and songleader. A graduate of
Oberlin College
Oberlin College is a Private university, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college and conservatory of music in Oberlin, Ohio. It is the oldest Mixed-sex education, coeducational liberal arts college in the United S ...
, for 35 years (1963–1998) he was Librarian and Director of the
Archive of Folk Song at the
American Folklife Center of the
Library of Congress. Joe brought together the
Ukrainian source and his own verses to create the basis for "
Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" in collaboration with
Pete Seeger.
He participated in the first LP recording of "
Kumbayah
"''Kum ba yah''" ("''Come by here''") is an African American spiritual song of disputed origin, but known to be sung in the Gullah culture of the islands off South Carolina and Georgia, with ties to enslaved West Africans. The song is thou ...
". Along with
Dave Guard, he is credited with the creation of
the Kingston Trio's version of "Bonny Hielan Laddie". He is a lecturer, researcher, and performer, especially in
New York State,
Michigan, and the
Chicago area. he is living in Portland, Oregon.
Discography
*''We've Got Some Singing To Do'' (1958) The Folksmiths, featuring Joe Hickerson
Folkways Records
Folkways Records was a record label founded by Moses Asch that documented folk, world, and children's music. It was acquired by the Smithsonian Institution in 1987 and is now part of Smithsonian Folkways.
History
The Folkways Records & Service ...
F-2407
*''Joe Hickerson With a Gathering of Friends'' (1970)
Folk-Legacy Records
Folk-Legacy Records was an independent record label specializing in traditional and contemporary folk music of the English-speaking world. It was founded in 1961 by Sandy and Caroline Paton and Lee Baker Haggerty.
The label recorded Frank Proff ...
*''Drive Dull Care Away Volumes 1 & 2'' (1976)
Folk-Legacy Records
Folk-Legacy Records was an independent record label specializing in traditional and contemporary folk music of the English-speaking world. It was founded in 1961 by Sandy and Caroline Paton and Lee Baker Haggerty.
The label recorded Frank Proff ...
Filmography
*''
The Wobblies
The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), members of which are commonly termed "Wobblies", is an international labor union that was founded in Chicago in 1905. The origin of the nickname "Wobblies" is uncertain. IWW ideology combines general ...
'' 1979 (song performer)
References
Bibliography
* Ray M. Lawless (1965)
Folksingers and Folksongs in America, p. 112-3', .
* Kristin Baggelaar and Donald Milton (1976)
Folk Music: More Than A Song, p. 175-6', .
*
Dave Marsh
Dave Marsh (born March 1, 1950) is an American music critic, and radio talk show host. He was an early editor of ''Creem'' magazine, has written for various publications such as ''Newsday'', ''The Village Voice'', and ''Rolling Stone (magazine), ...
and John Swenson (1979)
The Rolling Stone Record Guide, 1st ed., p. 171">The Rolling Stone Record Guide">The Rolling Stone Record Guide
, 1st ed., p. 171', .
External links
Joe Hickerson's website (archived 2011-08-03)Joe Hickersoninterview on the down home radio show
1935 births
American folk musicians
American librarians
Living people
Oberlin College alumni
Indiana University alumni
American folk-song collectors
American folklorists
People from Lake Forest, Illinois
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