Patrick Haggerty

Patrick Haggerty was an American singer-songwriter and musician known for his work in the country music and folk music genres, as well as his contributions to LGBT music. He was a key figure in the development of LGBTQ+ rights and gay liberation movements, and his music reflected his experiences as a gay man living in rural America. Haggerty's work was influenced by artists such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton, and he was often compared to other country music and folk music singers like Kris Kristofferson and Joni Mitchell. He was also associated with the Seattle music scene and the Olympia music scene, and was friends with musicians like Calvin Johnson and Kathleen Hanna.

Early Life and Career

Patrick Haggerty was born in 1944 in Portland, Oregon, and grew up in a rural area of Washington state. He was raised by his parents and grandparents, who were all farmers and musicians. Haggerty's early life was influenced by the country music and folk music of artists like Hank Williams and Woody Guthrie, and he began playing guitar and singing at a young age. He attended high school in Bremerton, Washington, where he met his future bandmates and began performing at local venues like the Seattle Center and the Paramount Theatre. Haggerty was also influenced by the civil rights movement and the anti-war movement, and was friends with activists like Stokely Carmichael and Abbie Hoffman.

Music Career

Haggerty's music career began in the 1960s, when he started performing at local coffeehouses and folk clubs in Seattle and Portland. He was influenced by the folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s, and was friends with musicians like Pete Seeger and Joan Baez. Haggerty's music was also influenced by the country rock and outlaw country movements, and he was compared to artists like Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris. He released his first album in the 1970s, which was produced by Don Wilhelm and featured musicians like Scott McCaughey and Peter Buck. Haggerty's music was played on radio stations like KEXP and KCRW, and he performed at festivals like the Bumbershoot and the South by Southwest.

Lavender Country and Legacy

In 1973, Haggerty released the album Lavender Country, which is considered one of the first country music albums to address gay themes and LGBTQ+ issues. The album was produced by Don Wilhelm and featured musicians like Evelyn Harris and Tom Witt and was influenced by the gay liberation movement and the Stonewall riots. Haggerty's music was praised by critics like Robert Christgau and Greil Marcus, and he was compared to other LGBTQ+ musicians like Sylvester and David Bowie. The album has been re-released by labels like Paradise of Bachelors and Light in the Attic Records, and has been featured in documentaries like The Celluloid Closet and Pay It No Mind.

Personal Life

Haggerty was openly gay and was a prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ community in Seattle and Portland. He was involved in the gay liberation movement and was friends with activists like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. Haggerty was also a farmer and environmentalist, and lived on a farm in rural Washington with his partner, J.B.». He was influenced by the back-to-the-land movement and the counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s, and was friends with musicians like John Trudell and Jesse Winchester. Haggerty passed away in 2022 at the age of 78 in Bremerton, Washington.

Discography

Haggerty released several albums during his career, including Lavender Country and Dry Bones. His music was released on labels like Astralwerks and Paradise of Bachelors, and featured musicians like Scott McCaughey and Peter Buck. Haggerty's music was influenced by the country music and folk music of artists like Johnny Cash and Woody Guthrie, and he was compared to other country music and folk music singers like Kris Kristofferson and Joni Mitchell. His discography includes collaborations with musicians like Calvin Johnson and Kathleen Hanna, and has been praised by critics like Robert Christgau and Greil Marcus. Category:American country musicians Category:American folk singers Category:LGBT musicians Category:Musicians from Washington (state)