It is with deep sadness that we share the news of Jesse Colin Young’s passing,” the statement read. “He died peacefully at his home in Aiken, South Carolina. His musical legacy spans folk, blues, jazz, country, and rock & roll—genres he helped shape with heart and soul.”

Young is best remembered for leading The Youngbloods and giving voice to their 1960s anthem Get Together, a timeless call for unity and peace that captured the spirit of the Woodstock era.

Born Perry Miller on November 22, 1941, in Queens, New York, Young grew up in Pennsylvania before attending Phillips Academy in Massachusetts. He briefly studied at Ohio State University before leaving to follow his passion for folk music.

Before forming The Youngbloods with guitarist Jerry Corbitt, drummer Joe Bauer, and bassist Lowell Levinger, Young released solo records The Soul of a City Boy (1964) and Young Blood (1965). Together, the group would find its stride with Get Together, released in 1967. Though the song initially saw moderate success, it gained major popularity after its 1969 re-release, becoming a defining track of the era.

Following his time with The Youngbloods, Young embarked on a solo journey in 1972, continuing to evolve his sound with albums like Song for Juli (1973), Light Shine (1974), and On the Road (1976). His solo work often reflected his deep commitment to environmental causes and social justice, blending musical genres in a way that was uniquely his own.

Jesse Colin Young leaves behind a legacy of music rooted in harmony, activism, and a deep love for the art of storytelling through song.