13 Facts About Tom Paley

Allan Thomas Paley was an American guitarist, banjo and fiddle player.

Tom Paley was best known for his work with the New Lost City Ramblers in the 1950s and 1960s.

Tom Paley was born on March 19,1928, and raised in New York City.

Tom Paley's parents were left-wing activists, and he grew up hearing spirituals and political songs.

Tom Paley began performing, both solo and with other musicians including Woody Guthrie, and booking performances for others.

Tom Paley recorded nine albums as a member of the New Lost City Ramblers between 1958 and 1962.

Tom Paley left the band when Cohen and Seeger wanted the group to become more professional and Tom Paley refused to sign statements about his political allegiances; he was replaced by Tracy Schwarz.

Tom Paley formed another group, the Old Reliable String Band with Roy Berkeley and Artie Rose, before leaving the United States in 1963, when he and his wife Claudia went to live in Sweden.

Tom Paley subsequently toured widely, in the UK, US, Scandinavia and elsewhere.

Tom Paley performed as a member of the New Deal String Band, based in London, intermittently since the 1960s.

Tom Paley was the honorary President of the Friends of American Old-Time Music and Dance.

Tom Paley was interviewed on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on July 4,2012, at the launch party of the new album.

On September 30,2017, Tom Paley died in Brighton, England at the age of 89.