The Hudson River sloop Clearwater -- one of the greatest legacies of the folk icon Pete Seeger and the flagship of one of the nation’s oldest music-rooted activist organizations -- may never sail again, as the coronavirus pandemic halts its activities and threatens its solvency.Just over a decade ago, on May 3, 2009, Seeger took center stage at Madison Square Garden for a 90th birthday concert to benefit the Clearwater.
More than 40 performers -- including Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Joan Baez, Dave Matthews, Arlo Guthrie, Ani DiFranco and more -- acknowledged their deep artistic debt to the pioneering folk musician.Now, without a financial lifeline from the music community and others, Seeger’s Clearwater organization may cease.