Fred Hellerman

Fred Hellerman (born May 13, 1927, Brooklyn, New York) is an American folk singer, guitarist, producer and song writer, primarily known as one of the members of The Weavers, together with Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, and Ronnie Gilbert. Fred is also known for producing the record album Alice's Restaurant (1967) for Arlo Guthrie.

External links

Extensive online biography with hyperlinks by William Ruhlmann in the All Music Guide.

The Weavers and the McCarthy era

In 1948, Fred formed the Weavers with Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert and Lee Hays. Hellerman wrote and co-wrote some of their hits. Because of his involvement with left-wing groups during the 1930s and 1940s, Fred came under suspicion of Communist sympathies during the McCarthy era.

In 1950, Fred Hellerman was named, along with the rest of the Weavers, in the anti-communist tract Red Channels and was placed on the industry blacklist. The Weavers, unable to perform on television, radio, or in most music halls, broke up in 1952.