Sadly, Derroll died in Belgium, where he'd been living for years, on 6 February 2002. He kept an unbelievable presende to the last, even when he was wheeled on stage at Tonder Festival 2001 to say a few words to the crowd. I didn't really know him, to be honest, but I'll never forget that fabulous voice! About the warmest, deepest and most resonant voice I've ever heard in my life. Also, he bore his growing disability (brought on not least by alcoholism) with such dignity that you couldn't but admire him.

A tribute CD by, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Arlo Guthrie, Donovan, Allan Taylor, Youra Marcus, and Tucker Zimmerman, among others, and produced by Hans Theessink, has just come out. The proceeds will go to Derroll's wife and daughter in Belgium. More info at Hans Theessink's or Arlo Guthrie's website.