Jack Elliott

Biography

Ramblin' Jack Elliott was born in Brooklyn, New York City in 1931 to a Jewish family that encouraged him to pursue medicine instead of his passion for music and the American West. Undeterred, he became a cowboy and rodeo performer at age 15 before returning home and teaching himself guitar. He later befriended Woody Guthrie, with whom he toured and drew inspiration from the folk traditions of America.