Alan Lomax

Date of Birth: January 31, 1915

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: July 19, 2002

Biography

Alan Lomax was an influential American folklorist, ethnomusicologist, and writer who dedicated his life to preserving traditional folk music from around the world. Born into a family deeply rooted in the study of folklore, Lomax’s father, John A. Lomax, was also a prominent folklorist. Alan Lomax began his career by assisting his father on field recording trips in the American South during the 1930s, capturing the sounds of blues, folk, and work songs that might have otherwise been lost to history. Lomax attended the University of Texas at Austin and later, Harvard University, although he did not complete his degree. He worked extensively with the Library of Congress’s Archive of American Folk Song, where he was instrumental in the collection and preservation of thousands of recordings. His work took him around the globe, from the United States to the Caribbean, Europe, and beyond, documenting and recording the music of various cultures. His notable works include “The Folk Songs of North America,” “The Land Where the Blues Began,” and a series of radio programs and albums that brought folk music to a broader audience. Throughout his career, Lomax collaborated with many famous musicians, including Lead Belly, Woody Guthrie, and Muddy Waters. His contributions to the field of ethnomusicology and folklore have had a lasting impact, ensuring that the rich diversity of folk music continues to be appreciated by future generations.

5 Interesting Facts about Alan Lomax

1. Alan Lomax recorded over 10,000 songs during his career, covering a wide range of musical traditions from around the world.

2. He was instrumental in the careers of several iconic musicians, including Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly.

3. Lomax was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1986 for his contributions to American culture.

4. He published numerous books and articles and produced a variety of radio shows that introduced folk music to a broader audience.

5. Lomax’s extensive archive of recordings is now housed at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, serving as a vital resource for researchers and musicians.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Alan Lomax

1. “The dimension of cultural equity needs to be added to the humane continuum of liberty, freedom of speech and religion, and social justice.”

2. “The essence of America lies not in the headlined heroes…but in the everyday folks who live and die unknown, yet leave their dreams as legacies.”

3. “My job is to show folks that there are other types of music besides the popular stuff.”

4. “I wanted to find out what people sing when they are not being paid to sing.”

5. “If you don’t have songs, you’re in trouble.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Alan Lomax during his lifetime is not well-documented, but his contributions to the field of music and culture were invaluable.