MCCURDY

During the late 1950s and early 1960s, Ed McCurdy (January 11, 1919 – March 23, 2000) was one of the most popular solo singers of the folk revival. 

Born Edward Potts McCurdy in Willow Hill, Pennsylvania, McCurdy left home at 18 to pursue a singing career. He first found success in 1938 as a singer and disc jockey at a gospel radio station in Oklahoma. By the early 1940s, he became a theatrical and night club performer across North America. He later moved to Canada where he hosted his own radio show for CBC Radio.

During his Canadian radio period, he developed a love for folk music and released his first folk album in 1949. After achieving success with his folk show at New York's Village Vanguard in 1950, McCurdy and his family moved to New York City, from where he went on to become one of the world's best-known folk singers. He recorded many albums for Elektra Records and Tradition Records and performed several times at the Newport Folk Festival.

Considered McCurdy's signature song, "Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream”, remains one of the most influential anti-war songs written. Recorded in over 70 languages, the widely covered song is still referenced in popular culture to this day and is the official theme song for the Peace Corps.

He was awarded the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience award on September 26, 1992 for "Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream".