Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?

Subject: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: GUEST,ConHarp
Date: 04 Nov 02 - 01:12 PM

I recently saw the prize-winning documentary on Jack Elliot. It was a fine presentation of Jack Elliot's personality, trials and tribulations (also the life of a traveling musician). Derroll Adams, who appeared for a while as part of Jack's life, was described as a legendary singer and banjo player.

Are any recordings of him available, and what has happened to him?

Dick Levine

Subject: RE: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: OldPossum
Date: 04 Nov 02 - 01:24 PM

Here is a web site about Derroll Adams

Subject: RE: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 04 Nov 02 - 01:26 PM

Derroll and Jack made a few good LPs togethern the 1960s----for TOPIC RECORDS in England. Ought to be available on CD. Try Dick at CAMSCO MUSIC

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 04 Nov 02 - 03:50 PM

Got an LP called Roll on Buddy, which I haven't played for years. Think I'll use this post as an excuse to blow the dust off it.
Incidentally if you'd met Derroll you'd of loved him, wonderful character.

God rest his soul.....Giok

Subject: RE: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 04 Nov 02 - 08:05 PM

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.

Subject: RE: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: Jon Bartlett
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 12:14 AM

Here's to Derroll Adams, may his name for ever stand
And always be remembered by the bums throughout the land.
When his earthly race is over and the curtains round him fall,
We'll carry him home to victory on the Wabash Cannonball.

- Learnt from the singing of Alex Campbell, 1967

Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: belfast
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 12:11 PM

You will find some stuff about the man here Click here.

And the albumm he did with Jack Ellliot is available on CD and it is good!

Subject: RE: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: Mr Red
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 05:17 PM

His pr slogan went - "Legendary banjo player from Potland Oregon". Saw hi a couple of times in Walsall - the old Fitters Arms. When I was into posters, maps and pictures etc instead of wallpaper I had his black and grey poster up for years - had to sell it with the house!

Subject: RE: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: Bugsy
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 07:59 PM

GUEST,ConHarp,


Take a shufti at this thread
TRY HERE


CHeers


Bugsy

Subject: RE: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: GUEST,Frank
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 08:29 PM

Art,

Derroll has passed on. There is a movie being made of his life by Patrick Ferryn. It's in the process.

I knew Derroll years ago and have a pic of Derroll, Woody G and I at a party in L.A. Talked to Derroll just before he left the planet. Couldn't say much.....talked to Danny (his wife).

Derroll has CD's now. Concerts he did in Europe.

He was one of the best around.

Frank

Subject: RE: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Sep 07 - 12:02 PM

arlo at concerts tells a good story how he was a zen buddhist a alcoholic and a banjo player....sometimes all at once

Subject: RE: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: Stringsinger
Date: 02 Sep 07 - 02:12 PM

Derroll first and foremost was an artist. He painted as beautifully as he played and sang.

Patrick Ferryn's documentary is out and probably can be googled.

I'm surprised that Arlo would characterize Derroll as an alcoholic. That seems cruel to me.

That label would fit most of the folkie people who have come down the pike and seems irrelevant when evaluating an artist. Here's some ideas for you.

Charlie Parker and Miles were junkies. Elvis was a junkie. Arlo's father was an alcoholic.
Dylan was an acid-head. Most rock and rollers were junkies or alcoholics. Johnny Cash was a pill-head. Satchmo was a coke-head.

See how absolutely and utterly mean that sounds?

I don't see that Derroll's personal problems were a badge of honor in any way and shame on Arlo for painting that picture.

He could have said the same about Jack Elliott or his dad.

I don't like it when some performing artists diss others by either condemning them or trying to glorify their problems.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: old salty
Date: 03 Sep 07 - 03:52 AM

Derroll was a lovely guy ,although i had not seen him since i was a child.In austria he used to ask me to bring him his flask of tea to the side of the stage,i was about 8 yrs old around 1979. He used to drink loads of tea! i was with my parents ,derek+dorothy elliott.He used to say" get my flask,will yer,little red" Great memories of a great bloke.   
                                     ps. it wasn't tea !
                                                
                                              salty x

Subject: RE: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 03 Sep 07 - 04:01 AM

You've got a bloody nerve Stringsinger, Woody Guthrie had Huntingtons chorea, he was'nt an alcoholic.

eric

Subject: RE: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: Bugsy
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 09:28 PM

Both Derroll & Alex Campbell who were great mates and {sang together quite a lot} told stories about being "under the weather" so I don't thinks it's that much of a secret or that it would have bothered either of them in the slightest to have Arlo describe them thus.

I'm sure that's not all Arlo said about Derroll. After all, they were firm friends.

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: Mick Tems
Date: 06 Sep 07 - 05:42 AM

We drove up to Birmingham and popped in the pub for an afternoon drink. There was Derroll, playing a lunchtime gig, which was a complete surprise to me. A lovely man and musician.

Subject: RE: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: Mr Red
Date: 06 Sep 07 - 01:29 PM

Fitters Arms, Walsall in the early 70's. Saw him twice there. He told stories that Woody told him. Like riding the Rods, and the Rail Cops with angled spikes that they poked under the waggons while the train was moving.
His stories were always delivered gently - you never felt they were anything other than "like it was". Loved his peformances.

I used to glue posters etc in a collage instead of wallpaper and one of the biggest one proclaimed

Derrol Adams, legendary banjo player from Portland Oregon.

Glad to have seen him.

Subject: RE: Whatever Happened To Derroll Adams?
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 06 Sep 07 - 07:18 PM

I heard that when he died a good supply of grass was sprinkled in his coffin to take with him to the next world. Lovely thought!