About 15 years ago, I had the chance to attend a "clinic" he held at the Augusta music festival. His voice was pretty well trashed even back then. The guy was an amazing storyteller, and that that hour or so with him had more impact on me than any lesson or music class I've ever taken. Not long after, I painted the back of my Strat and inked it with "This Machine Kills Capitalists". Kinda wish I had not done that, haha.
Anyway, he's dead. Sorry to see him go.
So it goes. He held on longer than many can.
I was never a huge fan of his music but always respected him for bringing so many great musicians to the spotlight. His t.v. show is great to watch, tons of great blues and old time guys.
Hard one. My students love those Depression-era protest songs. They may come back around as standard of living begins to slide.
I did not realize he wrote "turn, turn, turn". Good song.
I have a really fond memory of being at his 90th birthday concert, and watching him lead the entirety of Madison Square Garden in a singalong. It was really something.