WATCH: THE MUSIC OF 1963’s MARCH ON WASHINGTON
On August 28, 1963, deep in the trenches of a war against unjust racial practices, well over 250,000 men, women and children took to the streets of Washington, D.C. for the organized March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom—the same march at which Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his monumental “I Have A Dream” speech.
In an effort to keep the crowds motivated and informed throughout the day, a series of musicians performed short sets over loudspeakers, including an uplifting rendition of “We Shall Overcome” by Joan Baez that drew the entire crowd’s participation. As for the event’s national coverage, Ron Simon of the Paley Center for Media remarks “commercial networks at that time were not sure how to cover such a spontaneous event. No network transmitted any extended coverage of the morning's musical performance, and so a national audience did not experience how the music by such stalwarts as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Odetta, and Peter, Paul, and Mary fueled the spirits of the protesters. Ironically, more people have seen these performances on YouTube than ever saw them live on TV.”¹
Today, we’re taking a pause to revisit some of the live music that took place at this historic event in 1963, featuring sets from Joan Baez, Marian Anderson, Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary, Odetta and more.
Mahalia Jackson performs “How I Got Over” and “I’ve Been ‘Buked and I’ve Been Scorned” at the 1963 March on Washington.
Joan Baez performs "We Shall Overcome" at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963.
Bob Dylan performs “Only A Pawn In Their Game” at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, 1963.
The Freedom Singers perform "We Shall Not Be Moved" at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963.
Peter, Paul and Mary perform “If I Had A Hammer” at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
