American folk music legend Pete Seeger dies aged 94
Once blacklisted for his Communist Party links, the singer and peace activist became a prominent voice for social justice through his songs
Pete Seeger
1919-2014
Pete Seeger, who helped create the modern American folk music movement, co-wrote enduring songs such as If I Had a Hammer and in turn became a leading voice for social justice, has died at the age of 94.
He was variously hailed in social and traditional media as a "hero", "America's conscience" and "a man of the people".
Seeger died of natural causes at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, his record company, Appleseed Recordings, said.
Seeger was well known for his liberal politics, working as an environmentalist, protesting against wars from Vietnam to Iraq. He was sentenced to prison for refusing to testify to Congress about his time in the Communist Party.
In January 2009, Seeger performed at a concert marking Barack Obama's presidential inauguration.