Singer-songwriter Phoebe Snow dies (Poetry Man)

Variety ^ | 04-26-11 | AP

[Lazlo in PA]

NEW YORK -- Phoebe Snow, a singer, guitarist and songwriter whose song ''Poetry Man'' was a defining hit of the 1970s, has died.

Rick Miramontez, her longtime friend and public relations representative, says Snow died Tuesday morning. He says she died of complications from a brain hemorrhage she suffered in January 2010.

[Lazlo in PA]

If you lived through the 70's, you know this song. It seemed like they played "Poetry Man" every 5 minutes on the radio for years.

RIP

[BenLurkin]

Sad news.

[I cannot think of a name]

“If you lived through the 70’s, you know this song. It seemed like they played “Poetry Man” every 5 minutes on the radio for years.”

At one time, back in the 70’s when car radios had push buttons, I held the world record for channel change (2.7 nanoseconds). I credit this song with helping me set that record!

[NonValueAdded]

Rest In Peace, indeed. Prayers for her loved ones. Do read the full piece.

[Liberty Valance]

Rest in peace.

[dfwgator]

her daughter was born with severe brain damage. Snow decided to care for her at home rather than place her in an institution and largely dropped from the music scene.

Did not know that. Always wondered why we never really heard from her after that.

[MarineBrat]

RIP, Phoebe. I was 16 when Poetry Man was released. It had me fantasizing about the beautiful sounding voice behind the radio.

[smokingfrog]

RIP

[BookmanTheJanitor]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5AaNLyFpoI&feature=related

Here’s her song “Poetry Man”...what a devoted mother. RIP

[T-Bird45]

You Tube of a recent CBS Sunday Morning piece on her:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDGKsx3Uc9Q

[EDINVA]

Thanks for the suggestion to read the full article. What an amazing act of love to give up a very promising musical career to care for her daughter. She has earned her eternal reward that we can pray outshines any gold or platinum record.

I used to have a Phoebe Snow album (one of those big, vinyl thingies) back in the 70s that I played all the time. She had a lovely, mellow voice.

[Second Amendment First]

I have to credit her for giving up her career to take care of her daughter. Such a sad aftermath after hitting the national stage. Ironically, she got her break at a place called the “Bitter End Club”. RIP Phoebe.

[chopperman]

Thanks for posting that. Having lived through that time, I can honestly say that I’ve cannot recall hearing that song before. I also can honestly say that I do not plan to hear it again. Its not my taste. She does have a unique voice though.

[Yaelle]

Wow. She was far more important to that child than she would have been as a singer. G-d bless and RIP.

[unkus]

Thanks. After hearing her voice, I remember.

[dfwgator]

Can’t say it was my favorite era of music, either, between her, or Janis Ian, or Joni Mitchell, too much of that mellow stuff going on then. Kind of that lull before the disco-era started rearing its ugly head.

[ScottinVA]

RIP, Phoebe..

[Lazlo in PA]

At one time, back in the 70’s when car radios had push buttons, I held the world record for channel change (2.7 nanoseconds). I credit this song with helping me set that record!

This song and "Cats in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin were instrumental in my being a Steely Dan fan. At least you knew that you may here one of their songs a week. But some of those songs back then got so tight airplay that if you got stuck on one top 40 station while working or in a store, you would have episodes of Deja Vu every 70 minutes.

[dfwgator]

I remember getting my first FM radio. It was like a whole new world opened up.

[Free America52]

I was ‘coerced’ into attending a Phoebe Snow concert my freshman year at NC State University (1974-1975) by a friend who had tickets. It was in a small arena, a really intimate place for a concert. I really did not want to go but finally gave in ... and it was a very good concert. The girl could really perform. RIP.