COMING SOON – ARLO GUTHRIE – The Gov Wed 24 April
“An hour and a half in the presence of Guthrie is like receiving the most enjoyable and authoritative master class on 20th-century American folk music one could possibly have” – The Independent, London
In 1965, a teenaged Guthrie performed a “friendly gesture” that proved to be fateful. Arrested for littering, Arlo was deemed “not moral enough to join the army” and recounted these events on the album ‘Alice’s Restaurant’ in 1967. The “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree”, an 18 minute and 20 second partially sung comic monologue opposing the war and the backward reasoning of authority has become a quintessential anti-establishment anthem.
Born in Coney Island, New York in 1947, Arlo is the eldest son of America’s most beloved singer/writer/philosopher/artist Woody Guthrie. Growing up Guthrie, Arlo was surrounded by such renowned artists as Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, Ronnie Gilbert, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, to name only a few. Not surprisingly, Arlo drew from these influences and he in turn became a delineative artist, bridging generations of folk with songs of protest and social justice.
‘Alice’s Restaurant’ achieved platinum status and was made into a movie in 1969 (in which Arlo played himself) by the esteemed Oscar-nominated director Arthur Penn. 1969 also brought Arlo to the rock festival of the ages – Woodstock, showcasing his chart-topping “Coming Into Los Angeles”, which was included on the multi-platinum Woodstock soundtrack and movie.
Arlo Guthrie has become an iconic figure in folk music with a distinguished and varied career spanning almost sixty years. Classically styled folk songs intermingled with clever storytelling and a keen sense of humor remain his trademark, in addition to his broad musical accomplishments. Guthrie is a road warrior, touring almost constantly, alone or with friends and family.
Since the first time he performed in public in 1961 at the age of 13, and after almost sixty years of shows, Arlo Guthrie, now in his 70s, has become an American folk elder—a keeper of the flame.
ARLO GUTHRIE Alice’s Restaurant Tour The Gov | Wed 24 April
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