The New York folk and activist community lost a champion last week. Eric Levine, who was a guest on my show several years ago as a member of the MacDougal Street Rent Party, passed away in New York City last week.

Eric was deeply involved in a number of local folk organizations as well as a deeply committed activist for a number of causes, particularly for rights for the disabled.

Stephen Suffet, one of Eric’s close friends sent the following note:

Eric Levine, my dear friend and comrade in song and struggle, passed away at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City the night of May 7-8, 2008. The cause of death was apparently septicemia. Eric had just recently turned 51 years old.

Eric’s maternal grandfather was Camp Woodland founder Norman Studer, and Eric knew first hand many of the people from near and far away who shared their songs with the Woodland campers and staff. Eric, for example, was present as a youngcamper when a Cuban born singer taught Pete Seeger the song Guantanamera.

With that background, it is no surprise that Eric grew up to become active in NewYork City’s progressive political folk music community. He was the musical director of the Disabled in Action Singers, one of the directors of the New York Coalition of Choruses, the producer of Topside Records, an organizer of the Hey Brother! Hey Sister! Coffee House, a contributor to Broadside magazine, a member of the People’s Music Network steering committee, and a member of the Peoples’ Voice Cafe collective. He was also a fine songwriter, guitarist, and banjo player, as well as a member of the folk group MacDougal Street Rent Party.

Eric’s last public performance was at the Seventh Annual Woody Guthrie Birthday Bash at the Bowery Poetry Club in New York City on July 8, 2007. He had been booked to return to the Bowery Poetry Club this coming July 13 for the Eighth Annual Woody Guthrie Birthday Bash. That evening will now be dedicated to Eric’s memory.

Unfortunately, Eric was sick all his life. At the age of 14 he underwent thefirst of three kidney transplants, each of which eventually proved unsuccessful.In addition to chronic kidney failure, which required Eric to have dialysisthree days a week, Eric suffered from amyloidosis and arthritis, and wassusceptible to serious infections. He was in pain most of the time, and over thepast year he had lost the ability to play his instruments.

Eric is survived by his parents Norman and Joan Levine, his brother Mike Levine,and his life partner Ellen Nuzzi. A private funeral was held on May 11, and apublic memorial event will take place at a later date.