Pete Seeger - the infamous Smothers Bros. show appearance

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

The song was considered symbolic of the Vietnam War and President Lyndon Johnson's policy of escalation, then widely seen as pushing the United States deeper into the increasingly unpopular war. The captain's criticism of a dissenting sergeant as a "Nervous Nelly" in the song's third verse appears to mimick Johnson's epithet for critics of the war.[1] Seeger often performed the song at concerts and rallies, and in late 1967 he was invited to perform on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Seeger chose to perform "Big Muddy," and sang the song on the taping of the CBS show in September, 1967 but CBS management objected to its political tone, and censored the song prior to broadcast. Following the strong support from the show's hosts, CBS later relented, and allowed Seeger to come back and sing the song on the Brothers' February 25, 1968, show. This broadcast is included on the DVD The Best of the Smothers Brothers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waist_Deep_in_the_Big_Muddy

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. I remember that

I remember the censorship made the newspaper, and there were loud protests, since Smother Brothers were so very popular.
and I made it a point to watch when Seeger was allowed to sing the song.
My brother was in Nam at that time, my husband had been back for a couple of years.
Neither of them appreciated my growing anti-war stance.

[Hoyt]

2. What a man. RIP

[Victor_c3]

3. I'm way to young to have remembered Pete Seeger for any active protest movement stuff

but I used to live in Beacon, NY (Pete Seeger's hometown) until this last August.

Pete Seeger was very actively involved, even at his late age, in our local community. Several times a year there are various festivals at one of our parks here to raise money for the "Beacon Sloop Club" which maintains a sailing ship that sails up and down on the Hudson River. The boat is named after Woody Guthrie and gives free rides and is used as a tool to educate people on the importance of conservation - especially the Hudson River.

It was fun to see him out and about during the festivals. He just bumbled around with a banjo strapped to his back talking to various people. He played a couple of songs and spoke to the audience. My wife talked to him once and he is very approachable and humble. To me, he seems very grateful to have had the chance to make as much of an impact as he has. He certainly was an asset to us all and I feel honored to have had a legend like Pete Seeger living in my community.

[RoccoR5955]

6. FYI- The Woody is a boat...

As opposed to a ship. A boat has one deck, a ship has more than one.

I have been to many of those festivals as well. I even helped to build one of the extensions to the clubhouse and the cement boat ramp that many use there in Beacon.

Pete will never be forgotten. He was like my second father.

I am at a loss for words to say how I feel at this point.

[Victor_c3]

7. You learn something every day!

When I first started writing my above message I didn't even realize that Pete had passed.

I know the riverfront park well and know exactly what you are talking about. When we lived in Beacon, we used to visit the farmers market there nearly every weekend and I always took my children there to play several times a week during the summer. If I'm not mistaken, Pete was responsible for turning that area from a dump into what it is today.

People like you and Pete have done, and I hope continue to do, a lot for our community and our area. I'm sure the Hudson River is what it is today thanks to the work of people like you guys and the Sloop Club. I wish I was in a position to help and participate more than I do.

On a personal level, I don't even know what to say to comfort...

[RoccoR5955]

9. You do what you can do

If everyone does even a little, it adds up to a lot. If we ALL did a little, it would be a monumental amount.
Pete taught this to us with his community philosophy.

It's not a once in a while thing either, it's a lifetime commitment. A commitment to make the world a better place for the future.

Nothing can comfort me right now, but time. I have no other words for this.

[Demeter]

4. I wonder

If bringing back the protest song as a popular art form wouldn't start something the fascists couldn't handle.

A revival of the Peace Movement...for historical purposes, ostensibly...could be our path to the goals we had as youngsters.

[Enthusiast]

5. Kicked and recommended a whole bunch.....nt

[MarianJack]

8. A BIG K&R for...

....BOTH the late great Pete and the Smothers Brothers!

PEACE!

[planetc]

10. It will never be too late to applaud him. eom

[drynberg]

11. I'M 65 AND I'VE LOVED PETE AS LONG AS I HAVE MEMORY

One of the highlights of these memories was when Pete sang "Waist Deep..." on the Smothers Brothers show. RIP, ole Pete, you've been one of my biggest influences.

[MyOwnPeace]

12. In the book

"Dangerously Funny" by David Bianculli (NPR - Fresh Air) there is a chapter about the fight the Smothers Brothers had with CBS regarding Pete and this song.
A great read - a great story - and 3 great men (Pete, Tommy, and Dick).

[marble falls]

13. Thanks for the memory of a time when we had an organized antiwar movement.