You never heard of him? Yah you did -- you just didn't know it.
He was a singer-songwriter. Our daughter Kezia's English teacher at Marshfield High, Dick Gardner, introduced his words and music to any students who would listen. Kezia became a big fan.
While she was at Hampshire College, John Stewart was playing in Hartford, CT, about an hour away. Kezia went to see him in concert for the first time. She called me at 2:00 a.m. all excited to tell me about it. Kezia doesn't do things like that.
She went up to him at the end of the show and introduced herself. Eventually that night he asked her if she was coming to Johnny D's in Somerville, MA to see the next show. She said she wasn't. He asked why. She replied, "I'm not 21 yet, so I can't get in."
He said, "Here's my telephone number. Call me and I will get you in for free and you can sell my merchandise for me."
She was very excited, to say the least. I was skeptical, but didn't say anything other than, "Wow, Kezia! That is terrific!"
Not only did John Stewart keep his word, but for years after that when he was in New England, Kezia would get a phone call and would be at the concerts selling his CDs.
One of John's favorite places to play was the Old Vienna Kaffeehaus in Westboro, MA. Sandy and I became fans and we would sit with the Gardners. Dick would always get a shout-out, and he would nearly faint every time. John Stewart was his hero. Dick was an English teacher, very well-spoken, but he would tighten up and fall apart when John would talk to him one-on-one. Sorta how I might be if I ever saw Bo Derek up close and personal.
Kezia eventually got to meet all of the members of the band of Bob Dylan, who played on John's hit album "California Bloodlines" in 1970. (Note from Kezia: Actually, Dad, I got to meet Rick Danko of The Band, and Eric Andersen, neither of whom played with John Stewart -- but Danko did play with Dylan in The Band's early days. But I like your version better!) Rolling Stone magazine said it was one of the top 200 albums of all time.
Here's a clip from YouTube of John singing "California Bloodlines" with his future wife, Buffy Ford.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdHnZGWMAPo
Cali link
Still don't know him? He wrote "Daydream Believer," which was a big hit for The Monkees and Anne Murray.
You once thought of me
As a white knight on his steed
Now you know how happy I can be . . .
Cheer up sleepy Jean . . .
Here's a clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxz_JBuyF4I
Monkees link
Through John Stewart, Kezia also got to meet Rosanne Cash, Johnny's daughter. She did John's "Runaway Train," which was a huge hit. Check out this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQP7xqq130U
Cash link
John was one of the famous Kingston Trio also. Just before the Kingston trio, he was part of the Cumberland Three. They did an old tune called "I Don't Want No Pardon<" which I love. It's a tune about how the Rebels felt about the North after losing the Civil War.
Well I'm a good ol' Rebel
And that's just what I am
And I don't want no pardon
For anything I've done
We killed three hundred thousand
With Southern steel and shot
I wish it was three million
Instead of what we got
Yes, of course it made Bob's World and was probably #1 in South Carolina.
On his own, John Stewart was told by his record company that if he didn't have a hit soon, they would drop him. So he wrote "Gold." Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac played on it. And it was a number one hit for John. It even made Bob's World -- #5, I think.
When the lights go down in the California town
People are in for the evening
I jump into my car and I throw in my guitar
My hear beatin' time with my breathin'
Drivin' over Canaan
Singing to my soul
There's people out there
Turning music into gold
Oh my buddy Jim Bass he's a-workin' pumpin' gas
He makes two-fifty for an hour
He's got rhythm in his hands as he's tappin' on the cans
Sings rock -n- roll in the shower
Know it now? This clip oughta jog your memory:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_ohRBgmOTs
Gold Link
John was an awesome guitar picker and he also played the banjo. I thought he had a terrific sense of humor. The last time we saw him, he played Club Passim in Harvard Square. He was fantastic.
He was a devoted husband and father. He also was a painter. He gave Sandy a small painting of the Kingston Trio wearing their red and white striped shirts. Remember?
Here's the drawing he did for us:
When Kezia told me the news that John had died, she had tears in her eyes. Gardner must be crushed. John Stewart passed out of this world on Saturday, January 19, 2008 in San Diego.
See, you did know him.
Our family will be playing his music for the next couple of days in his honor. (Kezia's note: In fact, it took me over a month of in-car listening to play through all of his CDs.)
Here's one last clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZhmS05geyU&feature=related
Walk on Moon Link
http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
Okay, one more: I can't resist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H79SuTOKqtc&feature=related
America Link
You can read his obituary from the LA Times here:
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jan/21/local/me-stewart21
Obit Link
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