Obit: Bruce "Utah" Phillips (1935-2008)

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: GUEST,Seamus Kennedy
Date: 24 May 08 - 04:57 PM

Bruce was also very kind to two young Irish performers who came to the Earl of Old Towne for a Sunday afternoon open mike back in the early seventies.

Another great one gone.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: kendall
Date: 24 May 08 - 04:37 PM

I'm sad that he is gone. I'm sad that I will never sing his songs again, but I'm also grateful that my last paid performance was with him in Grass Valley CA.That honor and great memory will never die.

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: bankley
Date: 24 May 08 - 04:17 PM

R.I.P.   keep messin' with them up yonder

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: MaineDog
Date: 24 May 08 - 04:05 PM

It is sad indeed. I was biking in Portland today, right by the narrow guage railroad by the shore. It was the first steam train I have been near since 1991, and I immediately thought of Utah and his (?) song "Daddy, whats a train?". I remembered lots of train songs and bits, from Utah, and elsewhere, and the first time my daddy took me to see a real steam train up close, when I was about 6. Then I came in and saw this thread.

I remember meeting him at Fox Hollow back in the sixties. My wife Linda and he were talking, and she mentioned that she had started to make Appalachian dulcimer kits to sell. He said that dulcimers made good bathtub toys. It got worse from there.

MD

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 24 May 08 - 03:28 PM

I never met him. We had something in common. My father was a representative for the I.W.W. and demonstrated in Union Square in NYC in 1915 against the exectution of Joe Hill by the Utah firing squad on a trumped-up murder charge.

I always considered Utah a kindred spirit whom I never got to meet.

His songs will live on. His compassion and sense of social justice speaks for itself.
He will be sorely missed.

Today, it is so easy to forget the spokespeople for justice. Many of them are thought to be "weird" or somehow "out of step" with current society.

When I think of Utah, I think of the brave people being denigrated by a corrupted Media.
I think of Cindy Sheehan, Scott Ritter, and the whistle-blowers in this vast ignominious
Administration. I think of Gene Debs, Ingersoll, LaFollette, Emma Goldman, and the other great advocates for our system of justice in America.

I think of how shallow the dialogue has become about the perversion and destruction of our democracy.

I think of Naomi Klein, Amy Goodman,
Bill Moyers, Keith Olbermann, Jeremy Scahill and the other Truth-Tellers who attempt to
dispel the ignorance and keep the true values of our country alive.

In this, I think of U. Utah Phillips, the great musical Truth-Teller. His works will live on.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: Alice
Date: 24 May 08 - 03:13 PM

My sympathy to all who feel this loss. -Alice

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 May 08 - 02:53 PM

Art, I read this in my poetry book this morning and thought of you and all of the friends you have lost recently. For you and Utah:

The longer we are together
the larger death grows around us.
How many we know by now
who are dead! We, who were young,
Now count the cost of having been.
And yet as we know the dead
we grow familiar with the world.
We, who were young and loved each other
ignorantly, now come to know
each other in love, married
by what we have done, as much
as by what we intend. Our hair
turns white with our ripening
as though to fly away in some
coming wind, bearing the seed
of what we know. It was bitter to learn
that we come to death as we come
to love, bitter to face
the just and solving welcome
that death prepares. But that is bitter
only to the ignorant, who pray
it will not happen. Having come
the bitter way to better prayer, we have
the sweetness of ripening. How sweet
to know you by the signs of the world!

- Wendell Berry -

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: Peace
Date: 24 May 08 - 02:38 PM

This is a tough one to hear about. Condolences to Joanna, and rest well, Bruce.

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: maire-aine
Date: 24 May 08 - 02:38 PM

My deepest sympathy to his family and all who knew him.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: wysiwyg
Date: 24 May 08 - 02:36 PM

I met his music through the wonderful interpretations of Jim Craig in Chicago, who always, always referred to him as U. Utah Phillips.

I bless all who knew him personally and I give thanks that his departure from our world was, apparently, so gentle. I believe we all meet again someday and I look forward to singing with him then.

My condolences to those who need them.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: DADGBE
Date: 24 May 08 - 02:25 PM

Go to sleep, you weary hobo,
Let the towns drift slowly by.
Can't you hear the steel rails humming?
That's a hobo's lullaby.

Rest old friend. Thanks for the afternoons in the living room. You're sorely missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: Amos
Date: 24 May 08 - 02:21 PM

I am grateful for one thing. That I brought my daughter to meet him and see him tell his stories and sing his songs before he died.

I am stunned. Of course it was inevitable. But I never expected it so soon. You never do.

Go in peace, old-timer, and come back double strength. We'll be watching for you along the byways.


A

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 24 May 08 - 02:19 PM

One of the great ones. Go well, Bruce.

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: Diva
Date: 24 May 08 - 02:18 PM

Ach.. no   to ach nooo those friends an' family condolonces.....

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: Art Thieme
Date: 24 May 08 - 02:13 PM

Shock---again---sadness---emptiness. Too often these days---
Art

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 24 May 08 - 02:08 PM

My first memory of Utah was being transfixed as I watched him emcee a festival at Bear Mountain in NY back in the late 70's.   I can only thank him for all the wonderful memories since then, and he is someone who will not be forgotten.

Rest in Peace Utah, you made a difference in this world.

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 May 08 - 02:07 PM

He had many past lives and adventures, but he has been part of the Sierra Foothills community for as long as I can recall; and we thought of him as ours. He lived in that hippie county to the north of me, and I guess I never saw him other than at concerts, but that was often. It was always a pleasure to see him.

May he rest in peace, and may we not forget the big, passionate man who loved to laugh at his own jokes.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: maeve
Date: 24 May 08 - 02:06 PM

As bright as the sun, he shared his light and life with so many people.
As big as the sun is, his heart was bigger.
Utah's stories and songs are faithful to his long life, and our memories of Utah are warm and true and bound to grow as we pass them from one to another.

Remember.

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: karen k
Date: 24 May 08 - 02:04 PM

I am saddened by Utah's passing. Having seen him at least a dozen times and had him stay at my home a couple of times I can say that I knew him. I enjoyed him every time I saw him. I remember one workshop I went to at the Four College Festival in Massacusetts around 84 or 85. Utah did a 3 hour workshop on riding the rails. He only sang 3 or 4 songs. The rest of the workshop was stories from his days on the trains. Fascinating. Best workshop I ever went to. How I wish I'd had a taperecorder that day.

The other thing I loved about Utah is how he would scour the local papers wherever he was singing. Then he would refer to local happenings, humorous or otherwise during his sets. One I particularly remember was about a terrible circus fire in Hartford, CT July 6 1944. 168 died. The event became known as "The Day the Clowns Cried". One little girl, "Little Miss 1565", was not identified. This touched Utah very deeply. A few years ago I was able to send him articles that told that the child was finally identified and a headstone with her name on it placed on her grave. He was very glad to hear of this.

My thoughts go out to his family. He was an amazing human being. The world has lost a wonderful man. He will live on through his songs.

karen

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 24 May 08 - 02:03 PM

The grieving for this one will be with us for a very long time. Utah was more than a writer and singer of songs - more than a folklorist and storyteller. He was a teacher and a sage, and that is how I will remember him.

There are a number of projects in the works to remember Utah, and to make sure that Joanna is able to keep hearth and home together. Utah was deeply appreciative of all of the supportive efforts of the folk music community. I like to think that it was a way to show him that we had really been listening when he talked about community.

Dan

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: Suzy T.
Date: 24 May 08 - 01:57 PM

I am so sad. I have known Bruce since I was a teenager. When I spoke with him a couple of weeks ago, and when he called in to talk to the audience at the concert at the Freight, he did sound very much weakened. I am so thankful to have known him and to have been able to enjoy his amazing performances (both on and off stage).

He changed a lot of lives and his work that he leaves behind will continue to do that, I believe. My sympathy and best wishes go out to his wife Joanna.

Suzy T.

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: gnu
Date: 24 May 08 - 01:54 PM

RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 24 May 08 - 01:53 PM

RIP. My heartfelt regrets to his family. And thank you, Utah, for the many songs and stories, and the hours of entertainment you've given, and that yet to come.

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 24 May 08 - 01:32 PM

Such sad news.....my thoughts are with you at this sad and difficult time...he will live on through his songs for a very long time.

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 May 08 - 01:30 PM

I knew it was coming but not so soon. Through tears: Rest in peace. Or better yet, ride the train to glory.
Mary

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: Def Shepard
Date: 24 May 08 - 01:05 PM

Another true great gone, on the bright side, that heavenly choir is sounding better and better all the time.


'Go rest high on that mountain
Son, your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a-shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son'

- Vince Gill

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 May 08 - 12:54 PM

I'm so sorry.

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: bobad
Date: 24 May 08 - 12:54 PM

Condolences.

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: jacqui.c
Date: 24 May 08 - 12:53 PM

It's hard to think of a world that doesn't have Utah in it. He made a big noise throughout his life and we know that many people are better off for his actions and that many people have been touched by his genius.

His legacy is his songs, written from the bottom of a very big heart.

Rest in peace Bruce - the universe has taken you back.

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: kendall
Date: 24 May 08 - 12:47 PM

Thanks for calling me Mark. I appreciate that.
There are no words, and I can't see to type anyway.

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: Bill D
Date: 24 May 08 - 12:45 PM

Typing something will not express what this loss means....I will just go play some of his songs and remember better times.

He was a man who was true to himself and a champion of the people.

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: Jeri
Date: 24 May 08 - 12:04 PM

This is the end of an era, truly.
I offer condolences and hugs to all those who loved him. This is so big... his life was bigger.

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 May 08 - 12:03 PM

I can *hear* a lot of long, lonesome wails, not unlike old train whistles, at how sad many will be over this, esp. Kendall and Art Thieme.

My condolences to all who held him dear.

Subject: RE: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 May 08 - 12:00 PM

So sad, I can think of many people who will be very upset by the news. Not least Cap'n Morse.

May your god go with you Utah.

Giok

Subject: Obit: Utah Phillips 5/15/35-5/24/08
From: GUEST,Mark Ross
Date: 24 May 08 - 11:58 AM

It is my sad duty to report that Utah passed away last night in his sleep. I'm a little distraught at the moment so I can't say much more than that I will miss him terribly.

Mark Ross