Springsteen Tribute to Seeger

Last night on New Jersey 101.5 we lamented the passing of folk singing legend Pete Seeger, talked about his influence on Bruce Springsteen and wondered if folk music was still alive today.

Springsteen kept folk music alive last night when he paid tribute to Seeger at his show with the E Street Band at the Bellville Velodrome in Cape Town, South Africa.

"I lost a great friend and a great hero last night, Pete Seeger," said Springsteen before starting the encores with a song Seeger is associated with: "We Shall Overcome."

"He was a courageous freedom fighter. I took this song to heart and once you heard this song you were prepared to march into hell's fire," Springsteen said.

Springsteen had performed with Seeger a few times, including an inauguration event at the Lincoln Memorial on January 18th 2009, and at Seeger's 90th birthday tribute show at Madison Square Garden on May 3rd 2009.

Bruce also dedicated "We Shall Overcome" to Nelson Mandela.