Woody Guthrie’s visit to Okemah, Oklahoma, 1971
It was not the first time that Woody Guthrie’s family had traveled to Oklahoma. But the visit in July 1971 was special because it was the famous folk singer’s birthday and the family had come to a concert whose proceeds would benefit Huntington’s research.
Woody Guthrie, born on July 14, 1912 in Okemah, had died of Huntington’s disease less than three years earlier, in October 1967.
Guthrie’s son Arlo and Arlo’s mother Marjorie Guthrie arrived in Okemah on the eve of the singer and songwriter’s birthday. Arlo was also accompanied by his wife Jackie and their son Abraham.
In an article in the Daily Oklahoman on July 14, 1971, Marjorie Guthrie said during a press conference:
“We came because we were invited. And we are very happy to be here because there are a lot of people here who want to celebrate Woody’s birthday.”
More: The Woody Guthrie Folk Festival attracts musicians and fans back to the folk icon’s hometown in Oklahoma
It became clear that some were not so enthusiastic about talk of a celebration, but Marjorie hoped to convince them otherwise, as the news report reported:
Not everyone in Okemah wants to celebrate his birthday. The Okemah Chamber of Commerce has decided not to have a special day in his memory.
Mrs. Guthrie hopes to change the minds of Okemah residents – and others – who have branded Guthrie a communist.
Woody Guthrie is probably best known to many for his song “This Land Is Your Land,” which was sung by many elementary school students who may have also sung his “Crawdad Song.” But his lyrics and outspoken opposition to oppression soon earned him a reputation as a communist.
When Arlo was asked in 1971 what he thought about the label that had been attached to his father, he reportedly shrugged and said, “It’s fine. It’s better than nobody caring.”
More than 50 years have passed since the family visited Okemah. Recognition of the town’s son is no longer an issue, as evidenced by the annual Woody Guthrie Festival, called WoodyFest. The event was scheduled this year for July 10-14, which coincides with Woody’s birthday.
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