Woody Guthrie was an American folk singer and songwriter born on July 14, 1912, in Okemah, Oklahoma, and died on October 3, 1967, in New York City. He is renowned for his songs that chronicled the lives and struggles of common people, especially during the Great Depression. His music often conveyed themes of social justice, American socialism, and anti-fascism. Some of his most famous songs include "This Land Is Your Land" and "Tear the Fascists Down".
Guthrie wrote more than 3,000 songs in his lifetime, many of which were never recorded. He was also a committed activist who fought for civil rights and the disenfranchised while breaking racial barriers with his African American friends and fellow musicians. Besides his music, Guthrie authored an autobiographical novel, "Bound for Glory," which reflects his life story and philosophy.
His legacy inspired generations of musicians and political activists, including Bob Dylan, who visited Guthrie during his later years. Woody Guthrie died from complications related to Huntington's disease, a hereditary illness that also afflicted his mother and later himself. His works remain a major cultural and political influence in American folk music history.
