
Person
Woody Guthrie
Acting · 1912–1967 · Okemah, Oklahoma, USA
Biography
Woodrow Wilson Guthrie (July 14, 1912 – October 3, 1967) was an American singer-songwriter and composer who was one of the most significant figures in American folk music. His work focused on themes of American socialism and anti-fascism. He inspired several generations both politically and musically with songs such as "This Land Is Your Land". Guthrie wrote hundreds of country, folk, and children's songs, along with ballads and improvised works. Dust Bowl Ballads, Guthrie's album of songs about the Dust Bowl period, was included on Mojo magazine's list of 100 Records That Changed The World, and many of his recorded songs are archived in the Library of Congress. Songwriters who have acknowledged Guthrie as a major influence on their work include Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Robert Hunter, Harry Chapin, John Mellencamp, Pete Seeger, Andy Irvine, Joe Strummer, Billy Bragg, Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Jeff Tweedy, Tom Paxton, Brian Fallon, Sean Bonnette, and Sixto Rodríguez. He frequently performed with the message "This machine kills fascists" displayed on his guitar.
Known for

Dark Winds
Songs

No Direction Home: Bob Dylan
Self (archive footage)

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Self (archive footage)

Woody Guthrie: Hard Travelin'
Self (archive footage)

Woody Guthrie: Ain't Got No Home
Self (archive footage)

All You Need Is Love: The Story of Popular Music
Self (archive footage)

Bound for Glory
Book

BBC Arena: Woody Guthrie
Self (archive footage)

Woody Guthrie and the Ghost of Tom Joad Today
Self (archive footage)

Greenwich Village: Music That Defined a Generation
Self (archive footage)
Filmography
- 2026Woody Guthrie and the Ghost of Tom Joad TodaySelf (archive footage)
- 2022Dark WindsSongs
- 2013Greenwich Village: Music That Defined a GenerationSelf (archive footage)
- 2008Down the Tracks: The Music That Influenced Bob Dylan
- 2008Plane DaysMusic
- 2006Woody Guthrie: Ain't Got No HomeSelf (archive footage)
- 2005Billy Bragg & Wilco: Man in the SandSelf (archive footage)
- 2005No Direction Home: Bob DylanSelf (archive footage)
- 2003Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry: Red River Blues 1948-1974Self
- 1997This Land Is Your Land: The Animated Kids' Songs of Woody Guthrie
- 1988BBC Arena: Woody GuthrieSelf (archive footage)
- 1984Woody Guthrie: Hard Travelin'Self (archive footage)
- 1977CaudilloThanks
- 1977All You Need Is Love: The Story of Popular MusicSelf (archive footage)
- 1976Bound for GloryBook
- 1975Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?Self (archive footage)
- 1949The Columbia: America's Greatest Power StreamSongs
- 1947To Hear Your Banjo PlaySelf
- 1940The Fight for Life
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