He’s Still “The Kid”

What’s in a name? A lot, if your last name is Guthrie. There are few surnames so loaded with expectation, history and respect, and few people as deserving of that respect as Arlo Guthrie.

Born in 1947, the eldest son of Woody and Marjorie Guthrie, Arlo seemingly had little choice but to enter the world of folk music, singing for the downtrodden. Arlo Guthrie first performed at age 13, and has had his lifetime to find his own path along music’s folky backroads.

Yet now, at 65, he’s still Woody’s kid, bringing his “Here Comes the Kid” tour to western towns, such as the concert he just played a week ago in Irvine, Calif., in honor of his dad, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year. No matter that the younger Guthrie has more than two dozen albums in his own name. Today, he’s “the kid,” picking his guitar or plucking on a piano, and singing just as he did while learning to play his first guitar at age 5 at Woody’s knee. He’s got more burdens to carry now than he did then, however. His wife of 43 years, Jackie, died last year from cancer, shortly after he began touring in the fall.

The Irvine journalist who spoke with Arlo Guthrie asked him what songs he would play. He refused to answer. “While your readers can find the set lists somewhere on the internet, I hope they won’t look them up,” he said. “I want my audience to come without knowing what it’s going to be.” So folks, open up your ears and your heart and don’t ask too many questions. Arlo Guthrie will see you, somewhere.

Arlo Guthrie plays 7:30 pm Friday, April 26, at McDonald Theatre; $27.50-$45.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!