Earl Robinson from West Seattle, a composer is the subject of artist Desmond Hansen’s latest tribute painting. It’s located at the corner of Hanford Street SW and California Ave. SW.
Photo by Patrick Robinson
Artist Desmond Hansen, whose work as a painter and muralist graces local walls and “traffic signal boxes” has chosen a fellow West Seattleite as his latest subject. It was chosen by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society.
It’s Earl Robinson, a composer from West Seattle who went on to fame as a songwriter in the Americana genre whose song Joe Hill made famous by Joan Baez has been used as a labor movement song for many decades.
Robinson was a composer, arranger, and folk music singer-songwriter born on July 2, 1910. He had a significant impact on American music, particularly in creating works that expressed his left-leaning political views.
Robinson studied music from a young age, learning violin, viola, and piano. He went on to study composition at the University of Washington, earning a BM and teaching certificate in 1933. After moving to New York City in 1934, he studied under notable composers Hanns Eisler and Aaron Copland.
Throughout his career, Robinson created many popular songs and film scores. Some of his most famous works include the cantata “Ballad for Americans,” and songs like “Joe Hill” and “Black and White.” He collaborated with Lewis Allan on “The House I Live In,” which became a hit when recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1945.
Robinson’s political beliefs significantly influenced his career. He was a member of the Communist Party from the 1930s to the 1950s, which led to him being blacklisted in Hollywood during the McCarthy era. This forced him to return to New York, where he led the music program at Elisabeth Irwin High School.
Despite facing political obstacles, Robinson continued to compose throughout his life, creating works that ranged from folk ballads to concertos. His music was performed and recorded by many notable artists, including Paul Robeson, Bing Crosby, and Pete Seeger.
Earl Robinson’s life came to a tragic end on July 20, 1991, when he died in a car accident in his hometown of Seattle at the age of 81. He left behind a legacy of socially conscious music that continues to be remembered and performed today.
Hansen whose collection of signal boxes now tops 60, noted that a documentary was made about Robinson’s life some 15 years ago called Earl Robiinson: Ballad of an American.
