Gil Turner
b. Gilbert Strunk, 6 May 1933, Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA, d. 23 September 1974. Turner's early influences came via his father who was a machinist and a singer. Gil's mother sang in the church choir, and for a time Gil intended to become a lay preacher. Turner studied political science at the University of Bridgeport, and also attended the Columbia University School of Social Work. He later wrote papers on the management of autistic children through music, and the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by the use of gold and cortisone. Turner was well placed to raise such issues since he suffered with the latter illness for most of his life. The illness eventually paralysed the left hand side of his body. His guitar and banjo-playing style was heavily influenced by the Rev. Gary Davis, but Turner later developed his own distinctive style. Gil worked as a master of ceremonies at Gerde's Folk City in Greenwich Village in 1961 and by the following year had founded BROADSIDEmagazine, together with Agnes ‘Sis’ Cunningham, Gordon Friesen, Toshi and Pete Seeger. In addition to arranging recordings of BROADSIDE benefit albums, Turner toured on the college and school circuits, as well as concert halls, such as the Carnegie Hall. 
Turner also recorded material for the Library of Congress, in addition to his own albums. He collected and wrote many folk songs which were covered by artists such as Joan Baez, Judy Collins and Carolyn Hester. One of his songs, Carry It On became the title of a book by Pete Seeger and Bob Reiser. Turner joined the Student Non-Violent Co-ordinating Committee, and the War Resisters League. As well as this he helped to set up the New York Council of Performing Arts. One project he was involved with was the Mississippi Caravan of Music, for which a great many artists such as Phil Ochs, Judy Collins and Pete Seeger travelled and performed throughout Mississippi during 1964. Turner appeared in 1966 with the National Shakespeare Company in San Diego, California, taking part in a number of nationwide tours. With actor Will Geer, Gil worked on the Tribute To Woody Guthrie which took place at the Hollywood Bowl on 12 September 1970. The following year, while involved in recording for Shel Silverstein, Turner contracted hepatitis. He subsequently moved to San Francisco while undergoing treatment. Sadly, while still actively involved in the folk movement on the west coast, and recording an album for Elektra, as well as working on playing the part of Lee Hays in a film about Woody Guthrie, he died in September 1974.