David Rea
October 26, 1946 – October 27, 2011
Photo by Jack Bawden
David Rea was folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist who, although he was born in Ohio, became a longtime fixture of the Canadian folk scene. Over a career that spanned four decades, Rea collaborated with the likes of Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Judy Collins, Skip James, Mississippi John Hurt, Tom Rush, and perhaps most famously, Ian & Sylvia, and Gordon Lightfoot. He can be heard on Lightfoot’s debut album as well as tapes from his early shows. For Ian & Sylvia, Rea played on So Much For Dreaming, Nashville, and Full Circle. The duo recorded a handful of Rea’s songs as well. As a songwriter, Rea’s biggest hit came with Mountain’s “Mississippi Queen” which he co-wrote with Leslie West, Felix Pappalardi, and Corky Laing. He recorded several respectable albums of his own over the years as well. As reported by Spinner, 66-year-old David Rea passed away on October 27, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Thanks to Scott Miller for the assist.