| August 20th, 2005 08:45 AM |
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| Ten Thousand Motels |
US fiddler Clements dies aged 77
Clements recorded 27 albums as a solo artist
Virtuoso US fiddler Vassar Clements, a highly-regarded studio musician who played on more than 2,000 albums, has died of lung cancer at the age of 77.
Clements joined Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys at 14 and worked with artists as varied as Emmylou Harris, Sir Paul McCartney and the Grateful Dead.
Earlier this year his work with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band won a Grammy for best country instrumental performance.
Clements' family said he died at his Tennessee home on Tuesday.
He last performed in February in Jamestown, New York.
Clements' work bridged a number of styles, including country, jazz, classical and rock 'n' roll.
"When the rhythm is good I can play it," he said in a 1988 interview.
No formal training
"He got his start in bluegrass but he was equally comfortable playing bebop - he loved all those genres," said Jeff Hanna of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
"He was incredibly hip. He always dressed impeccably. My wife always said he was such a handsome devil."
Clements, who appeared in Robert Altman's 1975 film Nashville, taught himself to play at the age of seven and had no formal training.
"It was God's gift, something born in me," he said. "I was too dumb to learn it any other way."
During his long career he worked with many artists, including Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Hornsby and the Byrds.
He even recorded with The Monkees - although he admitted he only found out who they were later.
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| August 20th, 2005 10:26 AM |
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| Ten Thousand Motels |
For some reason fiddle players don't get much respect. I had never heard of this guy until I read this obit. It seems he built up quite a resume though. They're not the easiest instruments in the world to play either. III uses a great violin player but his name escapes me now. A great fiddle in a rock song always turns me on. |
| August 20th, 2005 11:53 AM |
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| Martha |
I know of him and have seen him.
RIP and may God bless.
Another great loss in music.
:-(
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| August 20th, 2005 11:57 AM |
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| Ten Thousand Motels |
quote:
Martha wrote:
I know of him and have seen him.
Oh. Where? If I might ask? |
| August 20th, 2005 12:12 PM |
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| Martha |
Bean Blossom Indiana at Bill Monroe's annual Blue grass Festival circa 1968-1978. Somewhere in there I saw him. |
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