The Weavers are the embodiment of American folk music. This was the first group to make popular ballads, spirituals, local songs and "appalachian music" in the U.S. Their records sold millions. Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, Ronnie Gilbert and Fred Hellerman belonged to the group. They sang of love, work and freedom. And often their songs had a political undertone. This music was an important contribution to the protest-songs of the 1960s and, at the same time, a significant bridge between the Big Bands of the 1940s and the rock'n'roll of the 1950s.