Died On This Date (June 22, 2011) Mike Waterson / Member of British Folk Group, The Watersons

Mike Waterson
January 16, 1941 – June 22, 2011

Mike Waterson was an English musician and singer-songwriter who, along with his siblings and brother-in-law performed as the popular folk group, the Watersons. Formed as a skiffle band in the early ’60s, the group moved into a more traditional folk sound as the decade moved on.  In 1965, they released Frost and Fire which was named Album of the Year by Melody Maker.  They soon became one of the most influential bands of the British folk revival.  The Watersons went on to release several more critically acclaimed albums over the next two decades (they broke up in 1968 and reformed in 1972).  Away from the group, Waterson worked solo and performed or recorded with his sister, Lal Waterson, Blue Murder, Peter Bellamy, and James Yorkston to name a few.  He continued to perform as recently as September 2010.  Mike Waterson died of cancer on June 22, 2011.  He was 70.

Thanks to Scott Miller for the assist

What You Should Own

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Frost and Fire - A Calendar of Ritual and Magical Songs - The Watersons

 

Died On This Date (April 22, 2011) Hazel Dickens / Bluegrass Icon

Hazel Dickens
June 1, 1935 – April 22, 2011

Hazel Dickens was a popular Appalachian bluegrass and folk singer, songwriter and musician who was revered for her beautiful voice as well as for her socially driven lyrics that tended to touch on feminism and pro-union causes.   Born into a poor mining family in West Virginia, Dickens became friends with Pete Seeger‘s brother and fellow musician Mike Seeger, who prompted her desire to get involved with the highly active Baltimore-Washington folk music scene of the ’60s.  She and Seeger’s wife, Alice Gerard went on to perform and record as Hazel & Alice.  By the mid ’70s, Dickens was working as a solo artist.  Four of her early recordings can be heard in the award-winning mining documentary, Harlan County, USA.  She also appeared in the film as well as Matewan and Songcatcher.  Although she stopped putting out albums in the mid ’80s, Dickens could still be found performing live for many years to come, even as recently as at Austin’s SXSW music conference in March of 2011.  Hazel Dickens passed away on April 22, 2011.  She was 75.

What You Should Own

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By the Sweat of My Brow - Hazel Dickens

Died On This Date (April 5, 2011) Gil Robbins / The Highwaymen; Father Of Actor, Tim Robbins

Gil Robbins
April 3, 1931 – April 5, 2011

Gil Robbins was a folk singer-songwriter and bassist who is best remembered as part of the influential folk group, the Highwaymen.  Prior to Robbins joining the group, they had significant pop hits with “Michael Row Your Boat Ashore” and “Cottonfields.”  Born in Washington state and raised in Southern California – where he was the drum major of the UCLA marching band, Robbins eventually found himself immersed in the thriving folk scene of Greenwich Village in New York City.  He was a member of the Belafonte Singers (Harry Belafonte’s touring group), and the Cumberland Three.  For a time, he and Tom Paxton were writing and performing partners.  Robbins joined the Highwaymen in 1962 and played on five albums until they split up in 1964.  He has been credited for taking the band in a more political direction.  His children include actor, Tim Robbins. Gil Robbins died of prostate cancer on April 5, 2011.  He was 80.

Thanks to Ed Hardy for the assist.



Died On This Date (March 11, 2011) Jack Hardy / Influential Folk Singer-Songwriter

John “Jack” Hardy
November 23, 1947 – March 11, 2011

Jack Hardy was a respected and influential New York singer-songwriter who came to prominence in the early ’70s.  After building a following in Greenwich Village, Hardy began hosting a weekly gathering of local singer-songwriters in his apartment. It eventually became a must-visit for aspiring songwriters which included the likes of Suzanne Vega and John Gorka, to name a few.  By the ’80s, Hardy was becoming quite popular – mainly in Europe, and was touring with friend, David Massengill as the Folk Brothers.  He released several albums over the course of his career and has been cited as a direct influence on the likes of Vega, David Wilcox, and the Roches.  Jack Hardy was 63 when he passed away on March 11, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released, but he had reportedly been diagnosed with cancer just a few weeks prior.



Died On This Date (February 25, 2011) Diane Izzo / Acclaimed Singer-Songwriter

Diane Izzo
1967 – February 25, 2011

Diane Izzo was a respected Chicago-raised singer-songwriter who, upon the release of  her 1999 debut, One, was called one of the best to come out of that city in recent years.  She never released another album, but left behind several worth in unreleased songs.  On February 25, 2011, Diane Izzo passed away after a brave battle with cancer.  She was 43.