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Newport Folk Festival Turns 50 With Sets From Seeger, Baez, Decemberists and More

August 3rd, 2009
Photo: Ufberg/WireImage “Pete Seeger,” vaunted promoter George Wein said on Saturday, “is the Newport Folk Festival.” It’s hard to argue the point. Fifty years ago, Seeger co-founded the legendary event with Wein while headlining a bill featuring artists like Odetta, Memphis Slim and the Stanley Brothers. Saturday, the 90-year-old Seeger was back onstage leading a 50th anniversary sing-along that included the Decemberists, Gillian Welch, Fleet Foxes and his grandson, Tao. He even played a few solos. ...