Musician and activist John Stewart dead at 68

[no name no slogan]

One thing not mentioned in the article is that Stewart marched in Selma and was the RFK campaign's resident trubador in 1968. His album "California Bloodlines" is a touchstone of California folk-rock, and was highly influential on the developing scene of the 1970s. It's one of my ten desert island discs.

It's strange, because during band practice last night (before we knew he'd died), my band was messing around playing his 1979 top ten hit "Gold". I also heard "Gold" last week on the Muzak at the supermarket.

Video of John performing his top 10 hit "Gold":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_ohRBgmOTs

Video of John performing solo April 2007:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWwayDfJtkE



AP story about his death:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jGO97U870NfzEZkeXyVuAM1i7vAAD8U9I8C00

SAN DIEGO (AP) — John Stewart, who wrote the Monkees' hit "Daydream Believer" and became a well-known figure in the 1960s folk music revival as a member of The Kingston Trio, has died, according to the band's Web site. He was 68.

Stewart suffered a massive stroke or brain aneurysm and died early Saturday at a San Diego hospital, the band announced on its official Web site.

"The world has lost one of its best men, but a man who lived well and made many people happy with his love, his wit and his music," the announcement said.

Stewart joined The Kingston Trio in 1961, three years after the band released its version of an old folk song, "Tom Dooley," that went on to become a hit. Stewart replaced the band's founder Dave Guard, who had left to pursue a new musical direction.

www.chillywinds.com (John's web site)
www.kingstontrio.com (Kingston Trio's web site)



Rest In Peace, John :patriot:

[KitchenWitch]

1. RIP John

That garage band in the sky has got to be smokin' hot.

[CreekDog]

2. Stewart wrote that great song sung by Roseanne Cash

"Runaway Train"


http://youtube.com/watch?v=KQP7xqq130U

Blind boys and gamblers
They invented the blues
Will pay up in blood
When this marker comes due

To try and get off now
It's about as insane
As those who wave lanterns
At runaway trains

Steel rails and hard lives
Are always in twos
I have been here before this
And now it's with you

I'm worried about you
I'm worried about me
We're lighting the fuses
And counting to three

And what are the choices
For those who remain
The sign of the cross
On a runaway train

[musette_sf]

3. we saw him open for Dan Hicks

a few years ago in Healdsburg, i guess it must have been the Raven Theatre. he did a fine set, was much appreciated by all, and his wfie Buffy performed with him on some of the numbers. he will be missed.