Ellen Behnke, folk singer, 1960's

Subject: Ellen Behnke, folk singer, 1960's
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 04 Mar 15 - 02:01 AM

Does anyone remember a folk singer from the early or mid-60's by the name of Ellen Behnke? She had one album called, "Folk Songs at the Lion's Head" on Walden Records out of New York. Not sure the exact release date of the album but somewhere in the early to mid-1960's.
She had a husky contralto type voice and some of the well known songs she covered on the album were "Dink's Song" "Alberta" "Ten Thousand Miles" "Willow Tree" and other folk songs. She was accompanied by a girl by the name of Kennetha Stewart on guitar.

Tried doing a search for Ellen Behnke but could only find information about the album and picture of album cover but not really anything else about her or if she had any other albums. Could only find information about the one album (which I do own) so that may have been her only release. Don't know if she was from New York but that is where the album was released.

Subject: RE: Ellen Behnke, folk singer, 1960's
From: GUEST,Christine
Date: 04 Mar 15 - 02:09 PM

Seeing your post, Guest Lin, reminded me that I had that album at one time but with many moves, not sure what happened to it. It was a very good album though and hopefully someone will have some information about what happened to Ellen Behnke. Is Walden Records in New York still in business? However, my guess it was a very small record company around in the 1960's so probably not.

Subject: RE: Ellen Behnke, folk singer, 1960's
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 04 Mar 15 - 06:53 PM

To Guest Christine:

I did do a search for Walden Records in New York on Google after reading your post. The only thing I found is about the city of Walden, New York but not a record company. I'm assuming that Walden Records may have been in that city but not 100% sure. Anyhow there was no listing at all for a company called, Walden Records anywhere so they probably were a small company and out of business long ago.

So...hoping to still find out anything of what Ellen Behnke is doing or if she had any other records other then the one that I have of hers called, "Folk Songs at the Lion's Head" which was released in the 1960's (don't know exact year.)

Thanks,
Lin

Subject: RE: Ellen Behnke, folk singer, 1960's
From: maeve
Date: 05 Mar 15 - 07:34 AM

It would seem a good idea to also search for her accompanist and friend,
Kennetha Stewart.

Subject: RE: Ellen Behnke, folk singer, 1960's
From: GUEST,Ileana
Date: 15 Apr 15 - 11:56 AM

Ellen Behnke died yesterday in Sarasota, FL. She and my father were friends for the last 15 years or so, and I learned of her death yesterday.

Subject: RE: Ellen Behnke, folk singer, 1960's
From: GUEST,lweerpass
Date: 15 May 15 - 04:28 PM

I am Ellen Behnke's niece. She did pass away on April 14, 2015.
Her obituary is in the Herald Tribune, Sarasota, Fl dated Thursday,
April 23, 2015.

Subject: RE: Ellen Behnke, folk singer, 1960's
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 15 May 15 - 07:52 PM

a few bits of information:

WALDEN records was New York City based, and is associated in my
experience with a series of albums devoted to musical theater composers 300 series (Gershwin, Kern), and some modern American classical composers 100 series. The Behnke album is the only
album in the 400 series I am aware of.
Anyone have information of other albums on the WALDEN label ????

Kennetha Stewart is mentioned by Billy Faier on his website
as doing the production work for the magazine CARAVAN.
She also has artist credit for some album covers.

The Village Voice reviews the Behnke/Stewart concert at St.Lukes
in the June 8 1961 issue, and the Walden album in the August 24, 1961 issue.

WALDEN 400
M9OP 4751
A1 Red Rosie Bush
A2 Tell Ol' Bill
A3 Alberta
A4 Another Man Done Gone
A5 Leather Wing Bat
A6 Ten Thousand Miles
M9OP 4752
B1 Willow Tree
B2 I'm Sad and I'm Lonely
B3 Captain
B4 I Know Where I'm Going
B5 Hushabye
B6 Dink's Song

There is also a 2-lp memorial album.

Thomas.

Subject: RE: Ellen Behnke, folk singer, 1960's
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 15 May 15 - 09:58 PM

Last statement in my previous post is INCORRECT.
There appears to be only ONE Behnke album (Lion's Head).


Sarasota FL - Herald Tribune obit:
Behnke, Ellen
Jun. 23, 1929 - Apr. 14, 2015
Ellen Behnke was born in New York City and lived in Sarasota for 30 years. She passed away at Doctors Hospital on April 14, 2015. Ellen is survived by her loving sister, Gladys, several loving nieces, nephews, great- nieces, great-nephews, dear friend Susan Salazar, ex-husband Herb Goodman, and loving significant other, Jose Bruquetas.
Ellen was an outstanding professional singer and photographer. She was a folk singer in the 1960's at the Lion's Head in Greenwich Village. On the back of her album jacket cover Ellen was described as 'a tiny, vibrant girl who has lived in the Village for several years, with a rich contralto voice and marvelous collection of traditional songs that were known by people who gather at the usual Saturday night folk singing parties.' Ellen began singing professionally in 1960 in a Village Coffee House, and also performed in concert at historic St. Luke's Church, and at Rockefeller Center from which she received a letter congratulating her for her wonderful performance. Ellen made many other personal appearances throughout New York City.
Born into a Danish family in New York City, Ellen grew up surrounded by music. Her father played the piano and violin. Ellen's grandfather was the conductor of a military band in Denmark. Her mother, three sisters, and brother all sang, as Ellen did too as a child.
When Ellen came to Sarasota in 1981, she embraced jazz music and became a member of the jazz club. She played the guitar and sang at Plymouth Harbor Nursing Home, American Legion, Elk Club in Bradenton, Friendship Center in Sarasota as well as many other places.
National Cremation on Bee Ridge Rd. is in charge of the service and a family memorial will take place at a later date at St. Wilfred's Episcopal Church Garden in Sarasota where Ellen will be laid to rest with her dear parents and beloved nephew, Bill.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to St. Wilfred's Episcopal Church or to the Humane Society would be appreciated.

Subject: RE: Ellen Behnke, folk singer, 1960's
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 15 May 15 - 11:46 PM

To Guest Iweerpass: (niece of Ellen Behnke)

I am one of the guests who had posted messages in the past trying to find out what ever happened to folk singer, Ellen Behnke and if she had any other records. I just read today about her passing in April. My condolences to you and your family. I did not know Ellen but have the one album, "Ellen Behnke at the Lion's Head" I have had the album for many years and bought it in a record shop in the Los Angeles area.
I always thought Ellen had a wonderful voice and have enjoyed the album over the years but from reading another post, it seems like that was the only album she recorded.
Sorry to read about her passing.