Peter LaFarge
b. 1931, Fountain, Colorado, USA, d. 27 October 1964, New York City, New York, USA. The son of a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, LaFarge was a noted dramatist and painter, as well as an accomplished performer. Folksinger Cisco Houston first guided the aspiring musician's skills, which flourished in the '50s following Peter's active service in the Korean War. Of Pima-Indian heritage, LaFarge became a tireless champion of the oppressed, although his most famous composition, The Ballad Of Ira Hayes, a forthright indictment of the plight of the native American, achieved popularity through a sympathetic cover version by Johnny Cash. Pete also acted as a contributing editor to the radical BROADSIDE magazine, and recorded for the Folkways and Columbia labels. However, he grew increasingly unhappy with his performing role and planned to abandon music in favour of writing and painting. Pete LaFarge died officially from a stroke, despite persistent rumours of suicide.