Lead Belly

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

On this date in 1950, The Weavers (Ronnie Gilbert, Lee Hays, Fred Hellerman and Pete Seeger) topped the Billboard charts with their version of Lead Belly’s song “Goodnight, Irene.” Sadly, Lead Belly didn’t get to benefit from the hit, as he died from Lou Gehrig’s disease while on welfare a year prior.

"Irene" performed by Lead Belly

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From the 1996 Smithsonian Folkways compilation, "Where Did You Sleep Last Night: Lead Belly Legacy, Vol. 1." Originally released as a tr...