(December 3, 2008)—Odetta, the legendary folk singer whose powerful voice moved audiences and influenced other musicians for a half-century has died of heart disease at the age of 77.
Her manager of 12 years, Doug Yeager, said Odetta died Tuesday at Lenox Hill Hospital, to which she was admitted with kidney failure about three weeks ago.
Despite her failing health, Odetta, who was forced to use a wheelchair, performed sixty 90-minute concerts in the last two years.
"The power would just come out of her like people wouldn't believe," Yeager said.
Odetta rose to prominence in the 1950s and influenced such performers as Harry Belafonte, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.
She had hoped to sing at President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration, Yeager said, although she had not been officially invited to perform.
A memorial service is planned for next month, Yeager said.
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