Obit: Bob Webb (Sea songs, banjo) Dec 25, 2013

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Webb (Sea songs, banjo) Dec 25, 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Dec 13 - 11:31 AM

I was stunned when I heard the news yesterday. Totally unexpected as far as I was concerned, but apparently he had been struggling with cancer for some time. It's a grievous loss to the music community as it must be for his family and close friends.

We first met in the early 80s when he, Tony Barrand and I were all presenters at a symposium of the Baltimore Maritime Museum. His scholarship, musicianship, and natural ability were remarkable. Our paths crossed often, mostly at sea music festivals, and it was always a pleasure to visit with him and his family.

His influence ran much further than sea music - he was a folklorist of considerable note, a banjo scholar who published the definitive book on the instrument as well as being a formidable performer on the instrument. And then he was a brilliant exponent of the duet concertina. A man of many talents, knowledge and abilities. Gone far too soon; he will be missed.

John Roberts

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Webb (Sea songs, banjo) Dec 25, 2013
From: Elmore
Date: 27 Dec 13 - 10:54 AM

Charming man, wonderful performer. RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Webb (Sea songs, banjo) Dec 25, 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Dec 13 - 10:53 AM

Still trying to wrap my head around this loss. My heartfelt condolences to his wife Helen and all his family .Yet another great voice silenced way too soon
Marie

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Webb (Sea songs, banjo) Dec 25, 2013
From: GUEST,liam's sister in law
Date: 27 Dec 13 - 09:12 AM

A gentleman, a scholar and a friend.
We will miss you immensely.
Fair winds and a following sea ---

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Webb (Sea songs, banjo) Dec 25, 2013
From: maeve
Date: 27 Dec 13 - 08:28 AM

Bob's kindness and generous musicianship will carry his memory.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Webb (Sea songs, banjo) Dec 25, 2013
From: GUEST,Paul Schurr
Date: 27 Dec 13 - 08:19 AM

Bob and I bonded as the only States side attendees at a shanty festival in Hull, England. He was on stage, of course, and I was impressed that the good singers of Hull invited him back again and again. I felt a great honor being able to sing with him at a number of Press Room sings. His performances at the Portsmouth Festivals always wowed me. At Mystic he was, like John Roberts, an icon. What will our world be like without him? Bob was among the best. I will miss him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Webb (Sea songs, banjo) Dec 25, 2013
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 27 Dec 13 - 07:23 AM

Fine memories of Mystic and Bob. Rest i n Peace Bob.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Webb (Sea songs, banjo) Dec 25, 2013
From: sciencegeek
Date: 27 Dec 13 - 06:51 AM

RIP, Bob... you are sorely missed already.

Always the gentleman, Bob was a good hearted and generous person that added so greatly to any place he was. Mystic will feel his loss greatly, as will the entire folk community.

One fond memory of Bob was of him sitting in front of the W R Grace painting at the Meeting House with his concertina and banjo sharing the history of the music and that fine painting.

Charlie... do you have photos of Bob in that setting?

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Webb (Sea songs, banjo) Dec 25, 2013
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Dec 13 - 12:39 AM

Sad news. Much missed.

Pat

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Webb (Sea songs, banjo) Dec 25, 2013
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 26 Dec 13 - 10:55 PM

Count me among those who will miss him. He was supposed to perform at the Mystic Sea Music Festival this June, and I looked forward to hearing him there.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Webb (Sea songs, banjo) Dec 25, 2013
From: RTim
Date: 26 Dec 13 - 07:56 PM

Very sad news!! Bob was a great singer, musician and lovely man. He will be much missed!!

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Webb (Sea songs, banjo) Dec 25, 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Dec 13 - 07:21 PM

Thanks, Julia, for posting this. I've been in bereavement overload all day (actually since a couple days ago when I first heard that the bug that he couldn't shake at the end of September at the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival had turned into something far more serious) and just...couldn't.

I will miss Bob an incredible amount. I so enjoyed being around him. He was so generous with his depth of knowledge and his musicianry was without equal. I learned something new every time I saw him. Tom and I first met him at Songs of Sail in Kennebunk in 2001. Bob performed at every PMFF except the first.

Alas, Tom and Bob didn't get to see each other at the festival this year. Bob had been at the Ri-Ra sing while Tom oversaw the Press Room open sing. Tom had started his decline and had me take him back to the motel, so he didn't go to the concert. And then the next morning had me take him home. I came back to the performers' meeting and got to talk to Bob and his daughter and Dave Peloquin. And since my afternoon PMFF duties had been absorbed by others, I got to hear Bob's addition to Jeff Warner's pre-performance request of "Rolling Down to Old Maui" -- Bob had found, at the American Museum in England, the original hymn tune that the tune to "Rolling Down to Old Maui" was based on. Then I went over to the Athenaeum and caught Bob and Dave's cameo concert -- now there's a case where 1 + 1 = 3. Fine performers individually, they were just so much fun to see perform together.

Jeannie Robertson said, "Sing it right, sing it proper, sing it real," and Bob has always not only "sung it real" but generously conveyed his knowledge and research to his audience and to his fellow folk performers, confident in his ability, but without arrogance. It's been such a pleasure to respect such a congenial friend and musician.

I'm feeling this loss hard...as I'm sure will the American folk community.

Linn

Subject: Obit: Bob Webb (Sea songs, banjo) Dec 25, 2013
From: GUEST,Julia L
Date: 26 Dec 13 - 07:02 PM

Bob died at home yesterday around 2 p.m., surrounded by his family.He was a well-loved singer of shanties and player of many banjoes, performing and teaching at Mystic and many other international festivals as well as in schools and museums nationwide.
website - www.richmondwebb.com

A huge loss to the folks and sea song community

Julia