Died On This Date (April 22, 2013) Richie Havens / Iconic American Folk Singer
themusicsover Richie Havens
January 21, 1941 – April 22, 2013
Richie Havens was a world-renowned folk singer whose intense guitar-playing and renditions of others’ works endeared him to a legion of fans since the mid ’60s. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Havens was still a child when he started out singing in corner doo-wop groups. At 16, he became a member of the McCrea Gospel Singers. In his early 20s, Havens threw himself into the Greenwich Village folk scene where he began building his reputation as a premier solo act. He made two albums with Douglas Records before signing on with Bob Dylan‘s manager, Albert Grossman who brought him to Verve Forecast Records and thus taking his career to the next level. Over the next several years, Havens released such classic albums as Mixed Bag, Something Else Again, and Richard P. Havens. His recordings of “Here Comes The Sun,” “Just Like A Woman,” and “Freedom” helped define the era. On August 15, 1969, Havens kicked off the Woodstock Festival with a remarkable three-hour set – partly due to instructions to stretch as many of the performers were late in getting to the grounds, and partly because of being called back to the stage for multiple encores. After he was showcased in the festival’s subsequent documentary film, Havens found devoted fans the world over. Havens also dabbled in acting, winning small roles in such films as Catch My Soul, Greased Lightning, Hearts Of Fire, and I’m Not There. Havens continued to record and perform as recently as 2009. In March of 2012, it was announced that Havens was retiring from the road after 45 years due to health concerns. Richie Havens died of a heart attack on April 22, 2013. He was 72.
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