The Singer Who MLK Called the Queen of American Folk Music

Odetta, the singer who MLK called the Queen of American Folk Music, was an influence on the American Civil Rights Movement.

The life and work of singer Odetta

Odetta Holmes, commonly known as Odetta, was an American singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter, and civil rights activist, often referred to as “The Queen of American Folk Music”. She is particularly known for her rendition of “Muleskinner Blues”, which was recorded by Odetta with the help of producer Harry Belafonte in 1955. The song became a staple of her live performances and helped establish her as a leading figure in the American folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s.

Odetta was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on December 31, 1930, to Isaacs Holmes and Anna Madah Mrs. Holmes. Odetta’s father died when she was six years old, after which her mother moved the family to Los Angeles. It was there that Odetta began to develop her love for music and singing. She started out singing gospel music in churches and later began taking guitar lessons.

In 1949, at the age of 18, Odetta moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. She quickly became involved in the city’s thriving folk music scene and began performing at various clubs and coffeehouses. It was during this time that she met and befriended fellow folk singer Pete Seeger.

In 1955, Odetta recorded her first album,, which included her now-famous version of “Muleskinner Blues”. The album helped to launch her career and establish her as a leading figure in the American folk music revival.

Throughout her career, Odetta continued to use her music as a platform for social activism. In 1963, she performed at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom alongside such luminaries as Mahalia Jackson and Bob Dylan. The following year she released an album,, dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr.. In 1965, she joined protests against the Vietnam War in Selma, Alabama.

Odetta continued to perform and record until shortly before her death from heart failure on December 2nd 2008 at the age of 77. Her work has had a lasting impact on American folk music and continues to inspire new generations of musicians.

Her influence on the American folk music scene

Near the end of her life, Smith recorded an album of traditional songs called “The Greatest Songs by the Queen of American Folk Music.” The album, released in 1964, drew largely from her repertoire of more than 400 songs. These recordings were made with some of the most influential musicians of the time, including Eric Weisberg, Pete Seeger, Fred Hellerman and Sonny Terry.

In his liner notes for the album, Hellerman wrote: “What is it about Leadbelly that has made him such an enduring and important figure in our musical history? I think it is because he was able to do two things that very few artists have ever been able to do: He was a great folk singer and a great popularizer of folk music.”

Leadbelly’s influence on American music can be heard in the work of many artists who came after him. Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan all credited Leadbelly as an inspiration. Dylan once said, “There would have been no Dylan without Leadbelly.”

Her legacy in the civil rights movement

She was a central figure in the civil rights movement, using her music to raise awareness and support for the cause. Her most famous song, “We Shall Overcome”, became an anthem for the movement, and she continued to use her music to speak out against injustice and inequality until her death in 2014.

Her impact on popular culture

In the early 1960s, Seeger was at the forefront of the American folk music revival. Her concerts, recordings, and television appearances introduced millions of Americans to traditional and contemporary folk songs. Her appearance at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where she sang “We Shall Overcome,” was a seminal moment in the civil rights movement.

Seeger’s influence extends beyond her music. In 1968, she co-founded the annual Clearwater Festival, which has become one of the largest and most popular environmental festivals in the United States. She has also been a lifelong activist for peace and social justice, lending her support to causes such as nuclear disarmament, civil rights, and environmental protection.

In addition to her musical achievements, Seeger has been honored for her contributions to American culture. In 1996, she was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 1999, she received the National Medal of Arts from President Bill Clinton. In 2006, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush.