Lee Hays

Lee Hays was an American singer, songwriter, and musician, best known as a member of the Weavers, a popular folk music group that also included Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert, and Fred Hellerman. Hays was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and grew up in a family that valued music and social justice, influences that would shape his future career and activism, much like those of Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly. He was also influenced by the Appalachian folk music tradition, which was popularized by musicians such as Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson. Hays' early life and education laid the foundation for his future work with the Almanac Singers and other notable musicians, including Josh White and Sonny Terry.

● Early Life and Education

Lee Hays was born on March 14, 1914, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to a family of Methodist ministers, and grew up in a household that valued music and social justice, similar to the upbringing of Pete Seeger and Joan Baez. He attended Commonwealth College in Mena, Arkansas, where he became interested in folk music and labor movements, inspired by figures such as Mother Jones and Big Bill Haywood. Hays also developed an appreciation for the Appalachian folk music tradition, which was popularized by musicians such as Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson. During his time at Commonwealth College, Hays was exposed to the labor movement and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), which would later influence his music and activism, much like the experiences of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger during the Dust Bowl.

● Music Career

Hays began his music career in the 1930s, singing with the Almanac Singers, a group that also included Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, and Millard Lampell. The group's music was heavily influenced by folk music and labor movements, and they sang at labor rallies and protest marches, including the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Hays also worked with other notable musicians, including Josh White and Sonny Terry, and was influenced by the blues tradition of musicians such as Robert Johnson and Bessie Smith. In the 1940s, Hays formed the Weavers with Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert, and Fred Hellerman, and the group quickly gained popularity with their unique blend of folk music and popular music, similar to the sound of The Kingston Trio and Peter, Paul and Mary.

● The Weavers and Blacklisting

The Weavers were a highly successful group, known for their hits such as "Goodnight, Irene", Tzena, Tzena, Tzena, and Kisses Sweeter than Wine, which were influenced by the folk music traditions of Europe and Africa, as well as the blues and jazz of New Orleans and Chicago. However, the group's popularity was short-lived, as they were blacklisted during the Red Scare of the 1950s, along with other musicians such as Pete Seeger and Paul Robeson. Hays and the other members of the Weavers were accused of being communists and were called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), which also investigated Hollywood figures such as Charlie Chaplin and Orson Welles. The blacklisting had a significant impact on Hays' career, and he was forced to work in secret, using pseudonyms and performing at private gatherings, similar to the experiences of Dalton Trumbo and Lillian Hellman.

● Personal Life and Activism

Hays was a committed socialist and pacifist, and was involved in various civil rights and anti-war movements throughout his life, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). He was also a strong supporter of the labor movement and was involved in various labor unions, including the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). Hays' activism was influenced by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and A. Philip Randolph, and he worked closely with other musicians and activists, including Pete Seeger and Joan Baez, to promote social justice and human rights, as seen in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the Selma to Montgomery Marches.

● Later Life and Legacy

In the 1960s, Hays' career experienced a resurgence, as the folk music revival brought new attention to his work and the work of other musicians such as Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. Hays continued to perform and record music, and was involved in various social justice and environmental causes, including the Sierra Club and the National Organization for Women (NOW). He also worked with other musicians, including Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger, to promote folk music and social activism, as seen in the Woodstock Music & Art Fair and the No Nukes concerts. Hays passed away on August 26, 1981, but his legacy as a musician and activist continues to inspire new generations of musicians and social justice advocates, including Bruce Springsteen and Ani DiFranco. His music and activism have had a lasting impact on the folk music tradition, and his commitment to social justice and human rights continues to be celebrated by musicians and activists around the world, including Amnesty International and the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC).