The Weavers were an influential American folk group based in New York City who sang traditional folk songs from around the world, as well as blues, gospel music, children’s songs, labor songs and American ballads. They sold millions of records at the height of their popularity. and inspired the commercial “folk boom” that followed them in the 1950s and 1960s, including such acts as The Kingston Trio and Peter, Paul and Mary.

The Weavers were formed in November 1948 by Ronnie Gilbert, Lee Hays, Fred Hellerman, and Pete Seeger. The name came from an 1892 drama of the same name by Gerhart Hauptmann. After a period of being unable to find much paid work, they finally achieved a performance slot at the jazz club the Village Vanguard. This led to their discovery by arranger Gordon Jenkins and their signing with Decca Records. The group had a big hit in 1949 with Goodnight Irene.
The Weavers eventually came under political pressure because of their history of singing protest songs and songs favoring labor unions, as well as for the leftist political beliefs of the individuals in the group. They were blacklisted in the Fifties and various groups protested at their performances and harassed promoters. As a result of the blacklisting, the Weavers lost radio airplay and the group’s popularity diminished rapidly. Decca terminated their recording contract.

Pete Seeger continued his solo career after the group disbanded in 1952, although Seeger continued to suffer from the effects of blacklisting. In February 2006 The Weavers received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy awards show.