Obit: author/musician Roy Berkeley (Apr 2009)

Subject: Obit: Roy Berkeley
From: GUEST,Wally Macnow
Date: 07 May 09 - 06:34 PM

I've lost the note that was sent to me about Roy so I'm not certain of the date. I think it was April 29. Cancer.

I first met Roy in Washington Square in the 1950s. He was a fine singer and guitarist as well as an author. In the mid-1970s, we renewed acquaintance again at the Indian Neck FF. He and his wife Ellen lived in southern Vermont.

Roy, along with Tom Paley and Artie Rose, formed "The Old Reliable String Band in 1962. They recorded for Folkways in 1963. Later, Roy and Tim Woodbridge recorded for Green Linnet in 1977 and he recorded the album "Songs of the FDR Years" on the Longview label in 1979.

Roy was also a mystery writer but he wrote under a pseudonym. In 1994, he wrote "A Spy's London" under his own name.

Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Berkeley
From: Jeri
Date: 07 May 09 - 06:46 PM

Friday, April 24.

I didn't know him well, but he was always nice when I talked to him.

Mt condolences to his family and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: author/musician Roy Berkeley (Apr 2009)
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 07 May 09 - 08:04 PM

I knew Roy in the early 60's in Greenwich Village. He liked my music and was trying to get a group together to do old time music. He asked me to drop by in a backroom of a coffee house to meet someone. He thought we might be able to do a trio. The someone was Maria Muldaur, before the Jim Kweskin Band. Nothing ever came of it, and shortly after Roy put together the Old Reliable String Band.

Subject: RE: Obit: author/musician Roy Berkeley (Apr 2009)
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 07 May 09 - 08:20 PM

Roy, the Trotskyite Troubador? He'll be missed