Voices of Protest

As we continue to set the scene for the "Summer of Love", we can't ignore the transformative part played by music in counterculture in the 1960's.

Pete Seeger wrote the song “Where Have All The Flowers Gone” in 1955.The song is an anti-war ballad, highlighting the destruction and futility of war. It emphasizes the cyclical nature of violence and the unending pain it inflicts. It was first made popular in 1962 as part of the Folk Revival of the early sixties, led by trio Peter, Paul and Mary, emerging out of New York’s Greenwich Village scene. Their debut album also featured Seeger’s “If I Had a Hammer” and this civil rights anthem became their first big hit.

Other well-known anti-war songs of the sixties include “For What It’s Worth” (Buffalo Springfield 1966),“Eve of Destruction”(Barry McGuire1964), “Give Peace a Chance” (John Lennon 1969).

Spoiler alert! The Folk Revival of the early sixties was subsequently overwhelmed by the "British Invasion"…more about that next time!