Utah Phillips died today. Congestive heart failure.

[redwitch]

:cry:

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Oh, that's too bad.

I knew that he had been unwell for some time.

[redwitch]

2. He was a big sweetie. I only got to see him once, a few years ago.

One of the world's best storytellers and a truly beautiful soul. He will be sadly missed by many.

[TomInTib]

3. A true treasure.

I remember moving in with a woman who, one day, asked me how in the world I could stand listening to his stuff.

So I moved out and moved on.

RIP, Utah.

Ridin' fence where the wind rips right through your clothes.

Where your French Harp sounds like a lone, bawling calf.

[Muttocracy]

4. :-( very sad. nt

[lordsummerisle]

5. Thanks for letting us know n/t

[ulysses]

6. oh shit.

Knew it was coming, but damn. :(

[redwitch]

7. From the IWW

Fellow Workers and Friends,

 

Utah Phillips died in his sleep early this morning at home in Nevada City,

California. Congesive heart failure had caused Phillips' condition to deteriorate

over many years and he recently underwent a procedure which ultimately did

not aid his struggling heart. He had grown increasingly weak in recent days

and had precious little to offer of his typical fiery energy and sharp wit.

 

Joanna Robinson, Utah's wife, told fellow folksinger Mark Ross that memorial

services would be set for early next week but no details were available so soon

after Utah's death.

 

Utah's good friend and performer Rosalie Sorrels was interviewed by KBMR

Radio in Nevada City earlier today about his life and career. Utah was set to

meet with his fellow "Rose Tattoo" musical contingent (includes Larry Penn,

Mark Ross, Bruce Brackney, Rick Palieri and others) in a couple of weeks.

 

Condolences can be sent by mail to his home-  P.O. Box 1235 Nevada City,CA

95959. Other details will be made availalble early next week. There will be other

memorial observations by the IWW in the days and months ahead.

 

Local folk music hosts will have been alerted to this for shows set to air tonight,

"Hudson River Sampler" WAMC, 90.3 FM at 8 p.m., tomorrow on WRPI's

"Mostly Folk" at 6 p.m.at 91.5 FM. There will be a tribute to Phillips on 

"The Labor Show", Thurs., June 12th on WRPI at 8 a.m.

 

Our culture of struggle and the labor movement has lost a tremendous advocate

and inspiration. Let's vow to keep his memory and fighting spirit alive.

 

I won't be reading e-mail the next couple of days. Have to work tonight but

if anyone needs further info.,I will speak with Mark Ross again tomorrow and

folks can call me at 861-5627 if they'd like. Thanks.

 

Please share this with any lists or friends you might want to know this news.

 

for the One Big Union,

Greg