So honorary mention should go to to:
Nina Simone, who also wrote, sung, and performed protest and folk songs as a regular part of her act.
Miriam Makeba- The South African singer became a top American star by 1962, and has always included African folk songs in her repertoire. She also performed at President Kennedy's famous birthday party. She's won numerous awards and international acclaim; yet in 1960, her citizenship was revoked for 30 years! She literally didn't have a homeland. She's most famous for "Pata Pata", a no. 12 hit in 1967.
Josh White Jr. started performing at four with his dad, Josh White Sr., and for the next five years. In 1949, he got his first Broadway role. For the next 17 years, he did acting and sang with his dad. Acting jobs became limited, as he approached 21 in 1961, but the folk revival happened. Jr. went solo as a singer. ( "Do You Close Your Eyes", 1962, is still a favorite Pittsburgh oldie, often played on WWWS. "Early Morning Rain", from 1967, was also a popular favorite.) He performed on many TV shows and returned to Broadway in 1983. From 1963 through the '80s, he's done countless college concerts, and still performs today.
The Brothers Four were related by their college fraternity. They had a no.2 smash in 1960 with "Greenfields". "The Green Leaves Of Summer" from the movie "The Alamo" was nominated for an Oscar. From 1960-1964, they were also a popular college concert draw. They played all the main clubs, performing folk tunes from Ireland, Scotland, Japan, and China.
The Four Freshmen- Their greatest popularity was in the 1950s ( "Graduation Day" "It's A Blue World" "Porciana"), but they did continue recording in the '60s. (My mother has a few of their '60s albums.) The British Invasion did them in for a while, though. This group is still performing, but not with its original members.
The Four Preps were West Coast-based. Their hits included the no. 2 smash(1958), " "26 Miles(Santa Catalina)", "Big Man" (no.3, 1958), and "Down By The Station" (Top 20, 1960). For eight years, from 1956-1965, they charted on the Top 100 13 times, but their sound became passe by the mid-60s. They continued recording until 1967, their last chart hit being "A Letter To The Beatles ." Two original members, Bruce Belland and Ed Cobb, are part of the new Four Preps (Both have had great careers as successful songwriters, TV writers, actors ,voiceover performers, and programning executives.)
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