Gilbert, Ronnie (1926–)

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Gilbert, Ronnie (1926–)

American singer, activist, actress and author. Born Sept 7, 1926, in Brooklyn, NY; m. Martin Weg (div. 1959); children: daughter, Lisa Weg.

Performed with social activists Lee Hays, Peter Seeger, and Fred Hellerman as The Weavers (1949–52), selling more than 4 million records (1950–52), with such songs as "Wimoweh," Leadbelly's "Goodnight, Irene," "Tzena, Tzena, Tzena" (Israeli soldiers' tune), "On Top of Old Smokey" (folk ballad), and Woody Guthrie's "So Long (It's Been Good to Know Yuh)" and "Hard, Ain't It Hard"; saw the disbanding of the group after it was blacklisted from tv and many live concerts because of accusations of pro-Communism by the magazine Counter attack during the McCarthy era (June 9, 1950); rejoined the group after its revival (1955–63); began a successful solo singing career (1960s), turning to acting as well; recorded with Holly Near (1980s); combined her acting, singing and writing for her play Mother Jones: The Most Dangerous Woman in America (1990s).

See also autobiography (with Herbert Haufrecht) Travelin' on with the Weavers (Harper and Row, 1966); and Women in World History.

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Gilbert, Ronnie (1926–)

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