Vassar Clements dies

http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section_id=33&screen=news&news_id=43685 ^

[lunarbicep]

August 16, 2005

Posted: August 16, 4:11 p.m. Vassar Clements was an extraordinary fiddler, a self-taught virtuoso who appeared on more than 2,000 albums and also played viola, cello, bass, mandolin, guitar and tenor banjo.

Clements died Tuesday at his home in Goodlettsville at age 77 after a battle with lung cancer.

“He was one of the most famous fiddle players of all time, and his style and capability as a player enabled him to be as effective playing the blues, doing R&B, jazz, anything,” famed WSM-AM announcer Eddie Stubbs said. “But even if you didn’t like Vassar Clements’ music, you had to like the man. He never had an unkind word to say about anybody, and I never heard anyone say anything bad in his presence.”

Clements, who was born in Kinard, S.C. but grew up in Kissimmee, Fla., began playing as a seven-year old and never had a formal music lesson in his life. His association with the legendary Bill Monroe initially established his reputation in bluegrass circles.

“He just always had the music in him,” Rumble concluded. “He was simply a phenomenal figure and his music remains as the testament to his greatness.”

The Bond Funeral Home in Mt. Juliet is handling funeral arrangements.

[scott says]

a true legend..my favorite was Old and In the Way...he will be missed...GOD Bless...

[Huck]

Rest in peace, Vassar.

[joesbucks]

I will be filling in on bluegrass program this weekend and will have to feature his music.

[Huck]

Vassar was all class. Here he is with another classy guy, one of my heros, Tony Rice.

And of course that's Peter Rowan on the left (fittingly.)

[since1868]

what a great album brings back lots of memories.
Unfortunately i can't remember them.

[kstewskis]

Very sad news!

[Huck]

[tet68]

Oh My, sorry to hear this.

[kstewskis]

two of my favorites

and

[Huck]

Here's Vassar and Tony together again, this time with Larry Keel.

[537cant be wrong]

big loss.
only saw him once but what a show.

[llevrok]

A true maestro.

Thanks for the memories!

[RustysGirl]

Thanks for post, sad though it is. Seems the legends are going one by one.

[scott says]

I got those last year...I like the original album best...its great that they released those 2 cds...
The original album is just fabulous--here is link--
http://www.mp3.com/albums/73202/summary.html

[scott says]

"Unfortunately i can't remember them."

yeah..I think I know what you mean ! LOL
Love your tag line, we need to talk......

[since1868]

Freepmail me when you get a chance.

[RosieCotton]

Just saw this news earlier today on the guitar and mando lists I frequent. Sad. He led a relatively long and full life, but it's always hard to lose musical heros, and he was that.

I only got to hear him life once - a couple of years back at a small theater in northern Vermont. Officially the show was Darol Anger and the group he had gathered at that point, but Vassar sat in with them on a number of tunes and was just incredible - he and Darol in particular traded lead back and forth just pushing each other harder and harder...magic! I love moments like that.

[RosieCotton]

I only got to hear him life once

Obviously that should be "live".

I mean well...

[lunarbicep]

Official Website of Vassar Clements