A giant of the acoustic music world has died. Rest in peace, dear Sir.
Vassar Clements (1928 - 2005) [VassarClements.Com]
Dear Friends,
On August 16th 2005 at 8:25 am Nashville time, the angels in heaven stopped singing for a moment, as they heard the most beautiful music approaching from a distance - the high lonesome sound of Vassar Clements’ fiddle.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of this truly wonderful and beautiful man whose purpose in life on Earth was in spreading love and happiness to people, both through his music and through his generosity and light of spirit.
Vassar indeed has touched the lives of so many of us, and we can all count ourselves as blessed to have been witness to the musical genius and kind-hearted nature of this great yet humble man.
It is a great testament to a life when those whose paths you crossed hold you up as an example on how to treat others. Vassar’s guestbook is that testament and shows how incredibly loved and admired Vassar was on this Earth by both those who knew him personally and those who knew him only through his music.
I would like to thank Vassar’s daughter Midge and son-in-law George on behalf of all of us that loved Vassar for the great love and care they have shown him since the passing of his wife Millie just over seven years ago. Selfless and devoted, they not only took care of Vassar emotionally and physically, but also jumped in and learned the music business so Vassar could continue to play for all of us around the country.
I picture Vassar and Millie in heaven, reunited in the love they shared that transcends all things, him playing while she dances.
Thank You Vassar - God Bless You. Rest In Peace.
Legendary Fiddler Vassar Clements Dies at 77 [WorldMusicCentral.Org]
Vassar Clements was described as the Father of Hillbilly Jazz. His work encompassed multiple genres, including country, bluegrass, Western swing, jazz, rock and classical.
He was one the world’s most versatile fiddle players. His career began at a very early age. His phenomenal ability to virtually play any kind of music (bluegrass, country, pop, rock, jazz and swing) garnered him various awards, including five Grammy nominations and a track record that involves multitudes of recording performances.
Vassar Clements: biography [WorldMusicCentral.Org]
Vassar’s career spanned over fifty years. His association with Bill Monroe began when he was only 14 years old and still in school. He started with Bill as a regular Bluegrass Boy in 1949 and was with him through 1956. From 1957 to 1961 he performed with bluegrass stalwarts, Jim & Jesse McReynolds. In 1962 he took leave from his music to pursue other interests, but returned to full time music when he decided to make Nashville his home in January 1967.
Vassar did recording sessions and played tenor banjo in Nashville ’s “Dixieland Landing” club until October 1969. He then started touring with Faron Young and doing occasional solo dates when time permitted. In February 1971, he joined John Hartford and his “Dobrolic Plectral Society”, initiating a professional association and personal friendship that has grown even stronger through the years. After ten months, and earning an enormous amount of recognition and popularity the group decided to disband. Vassar then found himself with the legendary Earl Scruggs and the “Earl Scruggs Revue”.
During this time, one of the most important milestones in his career was his participation on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s 1972 Landmark album Will The Circle Be Unbroken. This historical event was produced by William McEuen and featured an extravaganza of bluegrass, country and folk’s greatest artists. It was the turning point that re-kindled Vassar’s career and at the same time introduced him to a much younger non-country audience.
Within a few short months, Vassar was recording and/or performing with Dicky Betts, Jerry Garcia, The Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, David Grisman, Paul McCartney et al. In May 1973, The Classic, Old & In The Way album was recorded in San Francisco during a live performance. The Sales from this project have exceeded other albums of like kind, and has formed staunch cults that still exist after twenty three years.
Eliot is going to listen to Old & In The Way. That’s a helluva good idea.