Category: Obituaries

The Song Remains: Eric Weissberg 1939-2020

To many, Eric Weissberg, who died on March 22nd, 2020, from Alzheimer’s Disease, was a one-hit wonder with ‘Duelling Banjos’ from John Boorman’s 1972 film ‘Deliverance’. However, he was so much more than that, being one of the first young urban musicians to join the ‘50s folk revival, a populariser of bluegrass and the banjo and a major session and touring musician, adept on any stringed instrument including banjo, dobro, guitar, fiddle, mandolin and pedal steel. Continue reading “The Song Remains: Eric Weissberg 1939-2020”

The Song Remains: Eric Taylor 1949-2020

I heard from a colleague,  who has contact with associates of Eric Taylor, that he had died on March 9th 2020 following a period of illness. I immediately checked the web for confirmation but there was no surge in posts commenting on his death and then I saw that The Houston Chronicle had announced “Houston loses quintessential folk songwriter, Eric Taylor”. This web response was not suprising given that while Eric Taylor was a Continue reading “The Song Remains: Eric Taylor 1949-2020”

The Song Remains: Chris Darrow 1944-2020

Chris Darrow’s death on 15th January from complications following a stoke received coverage across the American music press reflecting his involvement with some of the most influential artist of the ‘60s and early ‘70s. Recognised by those in the know as one of the architects of west coast country rock and by a wider audience for his founding of Kaleidoscope with David Lindley and his membership of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, his lasting claim to fame was as one of the most sought after studio multi-instrumentalists of the late ’60s and early ’70s. Continue reading “The Song Remains: Chris Darrow 1944-2020”