Izzy Young (left) and my dad Mac Francis (right) walking arm-in-arm down the streets of Gamla Stan in Stockholm, Sweden.
I need to tell you about someone really special to me who knew me my whole life: Izzy Young.
Izzy was a true visionary. As the founder of the Folklore Center in New York City, he played a vital role in shaping the political and cultural landscape of the 1960s.
For those who may not be familiar, the Folklore Center was a hub for all things folk music. It was a place where artists could come to perform, sometimes record, and share their music with each other and the world. But it was so much more than just a music venue.
One of the most notable examples of this was Young's support for the Civil Rights Movement. He organized concerts and events at the Folklore Center that featured African American musicians and activists, and he worked to promote their music and message to a wider audience. He was also an early supporter of the feminist movement, and he organized events that featured women musicians and activists who were working to promote gender equality. AND he was big into anti-proliferation, inspiring Bob Dylan to write a song called “Go Away Bomb” which he gave to Izzy- one of Izzy’s most prized possessions during his long life.
In addition to these political causes, Young was also an advocate for the preservation of traditional folk music and culture. He worked to document and promote the music of indigenous peoples, immigrants, and other marginalized communities, and he helped to establish the Folklore Center as an important resource for scholars and researchers who were studying these cultures.
But it wasn't just the events that made the Folklore Center so politically important - it was the atmosphere that Izzy created. He fostered a sense of community and inclusivity that made the center a safe space for people from all backgrounds. It was a place where people could come together and share their stories, their music, and their struggles.
Izzy's legacy lives on through the countless musicians and activists whose careers were launched at the Folklore Center. His tireless efforts to create a more just and equitable world were truly inspiring; he is still remembered as a cultural icon today.
The spirit of Izzy Young lives on in every earnestly written song. His life served as a beautiful reminder of the power of music to bring people together and effect change.
In a way, I dedicate my career to him.