Anne Feeney, a Pittsburgh-based folk singer, songwriter and guitarist who was known for rollicking political anthems that extolled civil rights activism and labor unions while eviscerating corporate greed and forms of oppression, died Feb. 3 at a hospital in Pittsburgh. She was 69.
Ms. Feeney, a self-described “hell raiser” with a velvety voice and lush red locks, began a professional recording career in the late 1980s after working as a trial lawyer for more than 10 years. As a musician, she blended elements of Irish, bluegrass, folk and pop music while coupling many of her melodies with political lyrics, sometimes tinged with satire and humor, that were reminiscent of the ’60s protest songs.
She released 12 albums, and her biggest hit, “Have You Been to Jail for Justice?,” was also recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary.