2007 Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn

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2007 Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn

15 Jul 07 - 02:57 PM (#2103507)
Subject: The passing of Monte Dunn
From: balladeer

It is with a heavy heart that I write this. Monte Dunn was a friend
of mine at a time when we were both young and impressionable.

In the past few days, I've been speaking with Monte's stepdaughter.

On a thread called "Little known folksingers of the sixties"she posted the following to the Mudcat. I'm posting it to every musical list or forum I know:

" Monte was a big part of the Folk Music scene and he passed
away this April 25, 2007. His discography is rather extensive to
include Ian & Sylvia, David Blue, Music director for Chad Mitchell,
Sonny and Cher, Richie Havens, Peter, Paul and Mary as well as
a guitarist with Jack Eliot for the 1976 Phil Ochs Memorial
Concert at the Felt Forum. He left his wife Liane Dunn and also
three daughters on the West coast, Cleo, Jesse and Pam. I am
his step-daughter, Jacquie."

If anyone out there is in direct contact with Ian Tyson,
could you please pass this along to him?
Jacquie has been trying to reach him.

Thank you,
Joanne Crabtree

15 Jul 07 - 05:03 PM (#2103580)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn
From: balladeer

There must be someone here that remembers Monte, or knows a story from a friend. Please don't let the thread sink with no feedback. J

15 Jul 07 - 05:14 PM (#2103586)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn
From: Peace

I recall that there were really two names that always came up when folks talked about back-up musicians. The wish list of "If I ever land a contract to cut a record and I could get anyone in the whole world to lay down some stuff who would it be" kinda wish list: The people who were ALWAYS mentioned were Bruce Langhorne and Monte Dunn.

15 Jul 07 - 06:17 PM (#2103648)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn
From: balladeer

Here's what Mitch Podolak (who invented the Winnipeg Folk Festival) said about Monte on the Maplepost list serve a few minutes ago:

For those who didn't know Monte Dunn, we have just lost a great person and a
not insignicant part of the history of the folk revival in Toronto. I don't
know where Ian and Sylvia found him, New York I suspect but Monte became a
real part of the community. He sure hung around the Bohemian Embassy for a
couple of years. Monte was part of the first year line-up of the Winnipeg
Folk Festival which was 34 years ago for those of you counting. I always
liked him, I'm really sorry to hear this news.
mitch

16 Jul 07 - 06:16 PM (#2104615)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn
From: Peace

The word will be passed along to Ian T. Just so's you know.

16 Jul 07 - 10:44 PM (#2104798)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: balladeer

I can't remember where Monte and I met exactly, but probably at the Bohemian Embassy. I was there 24 hours a day for a couple of years, leaving only for gigs elsewhere, and the occasional cup of someone else's coffee. It was definitely where the hard-core folkies liked to hang out, and Monte was one of those. That boy loved to play.

17 Jul 07 - 09:39 AM (#2105092)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: Duke

I'm sorry to hear this news. I met Monty at the Black Swan in Hamilton before he came to Toronto and we became good friends. Monty, David Rae and myself used to jam together at the Village Corner Club in Toronto. I remember once I took some photo's of him at my old house, way back when. Hmmmmmmmmmmm Wonder where they are? He was one hell of a guitar picker and his loss will be felt. Damned shame we lost contact over the years.

18 Jul 07 - 12:32 AM (#2105650)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: balladeer

Wow, Duke, jamming with those two together, what a kick. I was friends with them both, but I don't remember ever being in the same room with both of them at the same time. Joanne

18 Jul 07 - 03:04 PM (#2106125)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: Duke

It was a lot of fun, but oh so long ago. I sent word out to David Rae about this and I know he'll feel the loss as well. I did find some photo's, but my computer skills are kind of at a loss as to how to get them from one web site to another.

18 Jul 07 - 03:13 PM (#2106131)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: Peace

Duke,

If you want to gimme the website, I'll link to them on this thread, OK?

19 Jul 07 - 09:55 AM (#2106775)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: Duke

Thanks, but the web site is a private one that I run for Village Corner and Black Swan folkies and old friends in general and the group did not want it to be public. If you tell me where I can send them, I know I can download them to my computer.

22 Jul 07 - 11:36 PM (#2108959)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: balladeer

Monte's step-daughter, Jacquie, on whose behalf I began this thresd, has been reading it with interest. She plans to present it to Monte's other children as a window into this part of his life.

Please add whatever you remember.

Your personal reminiscences mean a lot.

Joanne

24 Jul 07 - 08:34 AM (#2109943)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: balladeer

My memory isn't what it once was, and details come and go, and though I have no memory of how we got there or how we got back to Toronto, I DO remember being with Monte on a farm outside Peterborough Ontario very late one night. We were hanging out, listening to Ian swap songs with Jack Elliot, when at some point it seemed like a good idea to go out to the paddock and attempt to mount this horse, who was just minding his/her own business. (Maybe by then it was daybreak.) I climbed on the horse, but was not welcome there. The animal bucked me off, but somehow someone intervened before I hit the dirt. I always remembered it as Ian, and after that I thought of him as a real cowboy. And he sure is. Monte and I laughed about that night later (but we both saw Ian as a hero).

24 Jul 07 - 10:02 AM (#2110033)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: Mark Ross

Passed the word to David Rea yesterday. He was wondering, how did Monte die?

Mark Ross

24 Jul 07 - 10:25 AM (#2110047)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: Paul Mills

When I was a young wet-behind-the ears guitar picker and still in high school I remember being gob-smacked by the gorgeous sound of two acoustic guitars being played together and backing up Ian and Sylvia. The guitar doing the rythm part was, of course, Ian Tyson. The lead guitar that was weaving all those intricate and sparkling lines, fills and countermelodies was Monte Dunn.

My current guitar style owes a lot to Monte Dunn, one of my earliest and strongest influences. I am saddened by his passing. His family should know that here's one picker who is hugely grateful that Monte shared his gift and left his indelible mark on the way I play.

Paul Mills

24 Jul 07 - 10:46 AM (#2110072)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: Duke

I was visiting friends in Hamilton, Ontario when I heard about this incredible guitar picker who had droped in to the Black Swan Coffee House. Of course I had to go see what this was all about. That's how I met Monte. We both loved the tune, SanFrancisco Bay Blues and had each worked out our own arrangement for it. We started to play together and it was great. Then Monte took off his finger picks and said play it again and I'll flat pick it. To this day, I've never heard anything like it. He was amazing! At one point I had to stop playing myself and just watch. I told him that if he ever came to Toronto he would have it made. He did and he did! We stayed friends for quite a while and then I started travelling and lost touch with him. The only news I had of him was from David Rae whom I only saw rarely. Although we lost touch with one another I always thought of him whenever I heard some great guitar music. The man touched my heart and its a damned shame we lost him so soon.

24 Jul 07 - 03:22 PM (#2110297)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: balladeer

So touching and to hear these stories from pickers who were influenced by Monte. He certainly epitomized the "New York school" of picking as it existed in those days.

24 Jul 07 - 03:41 PM (#2110308)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: balladeer

Memo to Mark Ross. Here's a reprint of the letter Monte's stepdaughter wrote to me via the "Little known'60s folk singers" thread. It contains everything I know about the manner of his passing, and David may want to read it. Joanne

Subject: RE: Little known '60s Folk Singers
From: GUEST,jacquie - PM
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 05:50 AM

Joanne,
Thank you so much for writing. I did not take your writing as an insult to Monte at all. He would be honored that you mentioned him. I am trying to gather information to write a story and eulogy for Monte. No one has written anything, which makes me very sad. But he knew I liked to write and I thought the other day that he would probably tell me "well, why don't you write it" because we used to talk about how much fun it was to work with words. I wrote my first op-ed piece on his little word processor which I have with me and 20 yrs of his writing I have been printing for his kids!!! I would like to write it and maybe you could be a part of it and others if they would like. I would love to write it for him.

Monte was a grandfather too! He has 3 grandchildren , one step-grandchild and another grandchild on the way.
My mom told me when they used to go to Canada to meet Ian and Sylvia, that they visited someone else up there that he knew non-musician-- woman-- wish I knew so I could contact her-- had a horse farm, upper Ontario I think), but she could not remember. I wrote an email to Sylvia, but never heard back. Monte did quite a bit back in those days and continued to do much for many and I wish he was more acknowledged for his efforts, but many folks were not. You dated Monte before he met his now ex-wife Karen Kruse? I am sorry this news upset you, but by the same token I am glad Monte was recognized by someone who knew him. His children and myself, I am sure would love to know anyone who knew him in his early days. You and people like you are bridges to him and to time.

His passing is a very big loss, that few, if any of us, are handling very well. His health had deteriorated over the years and he was not well. I am sure he had a lot of spunk when you met him and dated him. He had one of the most brilliant minds I have known and his creatvity was boundless. I found old paintings he did, his writing, his book collection -- library is unimaginable and he read most of everything, and for the record he played every instrument he could-- he was known for that beautiful Guild guitar which we have both ( acoustic /electric acoustic)-- the acoustic he had when he recorded for Ian and Sylvia we just sent to his oldest daughter which even has his old songlist taped to it. He played the banjo beautifully and mandolin and he had saxophones and also a bass, but his love was those guitars. I have a tape of him from a little concert he did in Coe Park here in Ct that I am trying to convert to a CD for family members. You are welcome to one if I can find someone to tape it. Monte's wonderful humor is on it as well. He would be thrilled you connected with me.
One of the local musicians who played on that gig said that Monte played "Misty" a key lower and the horn section and rest of the musicians were struggling to play it and Monte would not let up or change keys.....(Monte was the lead of course!) and in the end he non-chalantly told them he was sorry but he couldn't sing that high so he had to drop it down an octave or two! My late sister used to sing with him on some gigs and he would change on her too and it drove her nuts! I love the stories, the happy and joyful moments especially with regards to music. He did cut one album with Karen on Cyclone Records. I have a CD if you would like one.

I am glad you thought of him-- no insult at all. I was so happy to see his name mentioned.

Thank you Joanne-- I am glad you knew him. I wish he had continued with Ian and Sylvia. My mom tells me they made an offer for him to do that, but he moved on after 1965 and recorded with Sonny and Cher, toured with Carolyn Hester and Chad Mitchell, was Musical Director for the Mandrell Singers and recorded with Peter, Paul and Mary, and then came 1966.......with Tim Hardin, Tom Rush, Buffy St. Marie, Peter Walker and Kui Lee and that was just that year....

He contributed much.

I am glad you knew him. If you would like to hear him and what he was doing after all his recordings, let me know. And let me know if you would like to be aprt o fthe story I would like to write. Writers around here would not make the effort to stretch into the past which was very important time. Monte was also teaching a lot and he worked as a music therapist as well. He was quite a man and a very talented and giving one.

Kindest,
Jacquie

26 Jul 07 - 08:07 PM (#2112215)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Paul

I played with/for Monte on a couple of those Coe Park gigs, which were Musicians Performance Trust Fund (MPTF: Musicians Union sponsored) gigs, and I can vouch for the transposing of "Misty". He called the band Brown Buffalo, as a tribute to Hunter Thompson. A baptism by fire, if ever there was one, and I was playing pedal steel. Can't imagine what the horn players went through. It was an honor to play with the guy I knew from those Ian and Sylvia records. I always figured him as a sort of force of nature which would always be around. Sic transit, I suppose. RIP, Monte

26 Jul 07 - 09:15 PM (#2112259)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: jacquie

I tried to post three times a few minutes ago and hope this does not post three times....
I wanted to thank everyone for posting and sharing their memories of Monte. I especially want to thank Joanne who initiated the thread and kept things going. Monte would have been honored and I am deeply grateful. I had passed on the thread and site to his daughters a week or so ago. Your early memories have consoled recent ones. The legacy you have built ---I am forever grateful. These were early and important years. I can't thank you all enough, ---all of you.

Paul at Coe Park-- thank you for adding. I heard that story from Leo at the Music shop a few weeks ago when I went in to say hello and talk and buy some guitar cleaner to clean Monte's guitars. I had a wonderful talk with Leo. Great little store which Monte frequented as you may know. Thank you everyone--

Warmly,
Jacqueline
I hope you don't see this post 3 times..... my apologies if you do.

18 Aug 07 - 09:31 AM (#2128513)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: jacquie

To GUEST.Paul:

We are having a small service in Cornwall Bridge for Monte this coming Friday the 23rd at 10 a.m. I hope you can make it and please let other friends know who would like to be there. If you are in touch with Leo Liddle, perhaps let him know. Monte's service will be at the "Puffingham Cemetary" on Route 7 just past Route 45 on the right hand side before you reach the southern entrance to Route 45. We won't be meeting afterwards; it is too much for my mom.

Kind regards,
Jacquie

18 Aug 07 - 10:18 AM (#2128535)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz

Monte: Rest in Peace...
bob

26 Aug 07 - 09:15 PM (#2134186)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Ed Smith

I first saw Monte at a coffee house called the Bell, Book and Candle in Crystal Beach, Ontario around 1963. We had a small group called the Five Quadrants and thought we were pretty hot. Monte and another chap came in to do a guest set and he just blew me away. At that time he was known as a finger picker, but, a few years later I saw him in an Ian and Sylvia concert at McMaster University and he could flat pick with the best of them. A fabulous musician and a major influence in my musical life. Thank you Monte

30 Aug 07 - 07:50 PM (#2137212)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST

Jacqui:

So sorry to have missed it; I don't come by here very often, and just saw your message today. I hope you're holding up. I'm not in touch with Leo at all, since my TMA (Torrington Musicians' Association) days. If you, or anyone else for that matter, sees him, please tell him I said "hello".

05 Sep 07 - 10:10 PM (#2142049)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Keith

I am so happy to see that people have not forgotten Monte. When I heard that he had passed I tried to find out about a service for him in the paper. I am upset that our employer never acknowledged his passing. Monte and I worked together for a number of years. I would come in to relieve him and he would stay and tell me stories about his days in the city, his family, religion, politics, and everything! The man knew everything and I loved him for it. One night he stayed with me at work and we talked until 7 in the morning. There are very few people in the world who engage the world head on and Monte was one of them. He lived life on his own terms and ended it on his own terms. I regret it, but I respect him for it.

The last time I saw Monte he was on his way to perform at our company's office. He was obviously in a lot of pain. Yet still, he loved his music and the people he cared about so much to be there.

He lived every day. How many of us can say that!

06 Sep 07 - 04:03 PM (#2142684)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Ruth Swayze

I was so pleased to read all the wonderful things about Monte Dunn. I owned the Bell Book and Candle Coffee House where he played very frequently ... it was in Ridgeway ... about a 100 miles from Toronto. I think he was the finest musician I ever met. After the coffee house closed at night all the performers and some of my close friends always came to my house, sat around a gigantic table at the farm house where I lived and usually played all night. He was so incredibly talented and also one of the most delightful people I ever met. I was trying to raise my three kids alone at the time and they met him, of course, and loved him too. I believe folk singers liked to come because I wouldn't allow any talking during their performances ... it was just a quiet, lovely place for someone who really wanted to reach his audience.
Monty was so very special ... I'm now about 345 ... well, pretty old, but keep in close touch with all my "kids" who worked for me back then in a very small town, and all will be truly interested in hearing more about him. And again, despite the many people who sang in my coffee house, all of whom are mentioned in Don Cullen's web site and most of whom performed for me, he was far and away the best.
Thank you .... Ruth Swayze - ruthswayze@verizon.net

10 Sep 07 - 10:23 AM (#2145429)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Rth Swayze

Dear Jacquie: This is a PS ... Don Cullen owned the Bohemian Embassy in Toronto all those years ago, knew Monte, and can also put you in touch with Ian and Sylvia and a lot of other folk in Canada who knew him. Don Cullen.com is his web site and his phone number in Toronto is 416-533-6102.
all my good thoughts ... Ruth

12 Sep 07 - 08:30 PM (#2147843)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: jacquie

Thank you, Ruth. Very kind of you. Thank you for also writing a very poignant post and for sharing your heartfelt memories of Monte and that your children remember him too.

Warm regards,
Jacquie

26 Sep 07 - 08:15 AM (#2157635)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: balladeer

I've been away from the Mudcat since the spring. I'm very happy to see that more of Monte's friends have been chiming in with vignettes of his life and times. I find I'm thinking about him a lot.

27 Sep 07 - 03:26 PM (#2158736)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: balladeer

Memo to guest, Ruth Swayze.
Thank you so much for adding your recollections about Monte to this thread. I don't believe you and I have ever met, but I think we have Don Cullen in common. He gave me my first paid singing gig in a club, the original Bohemian Embassy in Toronto, which is probably where I first met Monte. (And I think you also know my high-school chum Doug Brown.)
Thanks again for supporting this thread.
Joanne (Hindley-Smith) Crabtree

20 Nov 07 - 08:22 PM (#2198841)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,bevandg

I justfound this thread because I googled Monte. I grew up with him in Brooklyn and we were good friends. Of course we lost contact but I thought of him often. Even as a teenager he had a spark and a wonderful gift w.people. i am sorry about his passing.

28 Jul 09 - 12:32 PM (#2688842)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST

It's wonderful that a lot of personal friends of Monte's are adding to this thread.

I was in college in Arizona when I found his wonderful guitar playing on Ian and Sylvia records. Between Monte Dunn, John Herald and Ian there was terrific interplay and inspiration for my guitar playing. I wish I had had the chance some folks had to meet or at least see Monte in person somewhere. I did get to see John Herald with the Greenbriar Boys in Tucson in the mid 60's but never Monte Dunn. I am truly sorry about his passing.

We now how lost both.

28 Jul 09 - 06:21 PM (#2689188)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: Duke

I still am missing him, but then I'm missing a lot of guitar players and friends. Jackie Washington just a short while ago. I guess that's what happens when you get old.

29 Jul 09 - 01:15 AM (#2689371)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: balladeer

Yes, Duke, and now Sandy Paton is gone.
So terribly sad.
Joanne

06 Sep 09 - 06:32 PM (#2717653)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,scortch

This is a complete shock. We were extremely tight in the 60's and this has left me feeling like I lost a family member even though I haven't seen him in over 30 years. He died way too young. I don't read the Journal so I never had a clue. The jams in his Sharon living room are etched in my memory and I had made loads of unique reel-to-reel stereo recordings including sessions with Bob Gibson. If I still had a machine to play those tapes, I would listen to them tonight. RIP Monte.

03 Jul 11 - 11:15 AM (#3180708)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Ed

I only found out about Monte's passing and was very sorry to read about it. I knew Monte well in the sixties when he shared an apartment on 14th St. with Lance Wakely. In those days, Lance was playing guitar for Bob Gibson and Monte for Ian & Sylvia. I was also a guitar player, but not in their class, but I was often invited to observe the rehearsals with Ian & Sylvia in the 14th St. apartment. Monte was not only a gifted musician, but a genuine nice guy. He had a winning smile which sometimes belied the intensity with which he approached his music. He was one of the finest guitar players on the Village scene in those days, along with Dick Rosmini and John Herald, both of whom are now sadly dead. fasteddie5439@yahoo.com

09 Jul 11 - 03:46 PM (#3184517)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Leda Shapiro

I just found out about Monte and am terribly sad..not only about his passing, but that I had not known about it at the time. I knew Monte at "the 19th Street Apartment" in Chelsea in the early 60's. (My name at the time was Linda Brown). Yes...he was a really nice guy as well as a talented musician.
Thank you mudcat for having this thread so I could find it ...though so late.

01 Nov 11 - 06:49 PM (#3248807)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: balladeer

Since Monte died in 2007, the roll has grown longer. Two more early friends of mine, Bert Jansch and David Rea, left us recently. Bert managed to outlive his hero, Davey Graham, by a couple of years.

01 Nov 11 - 07:19 PM (#3248825)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: pdq

Also lost in the last few years were Steve Mann and Red Shea.

21 Feb 12 - 12:30 AM (#3311462)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Cathi

Got to thinking about the "good old days" tonight and started googling some folks I lost track of a few decades ago and was deeply saddened to read of Monte's passing. I recall with great fondness the crew who hung out and jammed in Sharon CT back in the day. Monte and Karen were always at the center...the ones the rest of us gravitated to. I lost touch with them many years ago but their album still sits here on the record rack and they have been often in my thoughts. RIP Monte. You were all hell of a guy and left the world in better shape for your presence.

01 Jun 12 - 05:35 PM (#3358161)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Frank Rathbone

Monte was in my high school graduating class at Stuyvesant HS in New York City and a stalwart of the Folk Music club. I went on to McGill University in Montreal and Monte showed up a few times with Ian and Sylvia at a coffee house I used to frequent.

14 Jul 12 - 10:14 PM (#3376360)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Mike

Sorry to hear about Monte Dunn's passing. I remember listening to him play on WBAI on the Bob Fass show. One night he played an incredible version of Freight Train by Elizabeth Cotton. I'll never forget that.

28 Aug 12 - 03:55 PM (#3396625)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Robert Sylvester

In the early 60's I was around 16 or 17 years young, and used to hang around the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach CA. Ian & Sylvia were in town playing at the Bear and Monte crashed at my apartment for a night or two.

He had some good pot and we shared it a time or two. Other than that reminiscence and seeing him perform with Ian & Sylvia at the Bear I didn't really see him or get to know him much. I still listen to Northern Journey, Ian & Sylvia's best LP and marvel at Monte's awesome picking. What a terrible loss.

21 Oct 12 - 07:26 PM (#3423844)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST

Joe Don
Sometimes things get in the way and we fail to pay attention to the important stuff. I really, really regret it took me this long to find out "whatever happened to" Monte Dunn. He was an enormous influence on my picking style when I was in folks groups in the 60s and - hard as I tried - I never measured up. It sounded so easy for him.

20 Dec 12 - 02:44 AM (#3454626)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: balladeer

To anyone who was part of Ruth Swayze and the Bell, Book and Candle scene in Ridgeway Ontario, Doug Brown passed away recently.

31 Dec 12 - 11:47 AM (#3459594)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST

stanley davis adavis11@mindspring.com

I played with Monte and Fontella (i.e. Karen) during the early '70s in two bands while Monte and I were music therapists at Wassaic State School in upstate N.Y. I have hundreds of great stories and should write a book. I also remember Pam very well....Jesse was young and Cleo was just a baby, but my wife, Annelies and I spent a lot of time at their funky little house near the State School, and were members of the 9-piece horn band, "Cousin Vito," (listed in the "Hudson Valley's list of well-known bands from that era), and playing a lot of trio gigs (I played bass & sang). Annelies and I are still married, living in Las Vegas, NV the past 14 years, after 20 years in Estes Park, Colorado and four-plus years in the Netherlands.
If anybody accesses this site, please contact me. I read about Monte's death awhile back, but would like information on Karen (Fontella) and, especially, would love to reconnect with Pam, if she still remembers me. She was a wonderful young lady back in those days, and really kept the home in order. I think of Monte, Fontella & Pam from time to time, so, if anybody still accesses this site, please email me, or call (702) 395-7902 (leave message...Annelies owns a small daycare center and I'm still composing, recording and performing as I approach my 65th birthday. Best Wishes, Stan Davis

08 Jan 13 - 07:04 PM (#3463360)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Ted in Denver

So sorry to hear (albeit so late) of the passing of Monte. Along with Stan Davis and a dozen or so musicians, we all worked together (as Stan has indicated) as music recreation specialists/therapist. We were all so tight for those years in the early to mid 70's. Not a day goes by that I don't think of those bro's, including Monte. We all were intensely close for a few years there. Monte, may your spirit soar, Ted.

25 Mar 13 - 11:52 AM (#3494671)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Lance Wakely

This is somewhat after the fact but I just found this thread. Monte and I and a harmonica player named Chuck shared a garden apartment in a brownstone around 1964-65 in downtown Manhattan for a year or so. I was playing guitar for the folk singer, Bob Gibson in those days. We were then both young, crazy, horny musicians and we influenced each others guitar style so much that when years later, I heard some of his recording tracks I thought I was playing. Monte moved away to Canada to play with Ian and Sylvia and I later moved to L.A and got involved in the music scene there. Our paths never crossed again but I never forgot those great young days we spent together learning our craft and having a whole lot of too much fun.

20 May 13 - 01:50 PM (#3517228)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: balladeer

Dear GUEST, Lance Wakely, sorry to be nitpicky, but I think your dates may be a little off ... Monte and I dated for a few months in Toronto before I went to live/play in England. My boat sailed in April of 1964, so Monte must have landed in Canada before 1964.
Joanne Crabtree

23 Jul 13 - 11:51 PM (#3541052)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Cathi I in upstate New York

Ted in Denver -- just wanted to give you a shout out and agree that we were all pretty close there for a while. I think of those times often myself and wonder how everyone fared since then. I was deeply saddened to hear of Monte's passing when I found this site. He was a remarkable guy and it was an honor to know him. In some very real ways, he and Rich DeCarlo changed my life. In any case, nice to see your note here and it's good to know you're still out there.

Cathi

04 Mar 14 - 07:38 PM (#3607292)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Guest, Lexi Cruz

My name is Lexi, I was Monte's first granddaughter from Cleo. I happened to be "googling" him and my grandma, Fontella (or Karen) and stumbled upon this site. It's absolutely amazing to see what all of you remember of him. I'm a bit bummed that I saw this so late out, but this really touched my heart. I called my mom as soon as I saw this, just to let her know of those that cared. I wish I could have known him better, or even at least as well as some of you, I was barely 13 when he died, so I missed out on a lot of great stories he probably had to tell. Seeing the short ones you guys have had has made my day a little more bittersweet. Thank you all so much.

05 Mar 14 - 05:05 PM (#3607514)
Subject: RE: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,|Mark Ross

Say hello to Karen for me. I knew her and Monte in NYC in the mid '70's.

Mark Ross

08 Dec 14 - 01:33 PM (#3683635)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Ed Taublieb

In doing a Google search I learned of Monte's passing. Around 1962 I was a regular at a coffee house in Buffalo,NY called The Lime Light. I was there one evening when Monte went on stage. He did some old-time county and blues. He was really good at it. Wonderful guitar work and vocals. He came to Buffalo to attend college at SUNY Buffalo. He has a tremendous knowledge of the songs he did. Most of them were new tome. (As I got more into the music of the '20s and'30s later on I came across many of them.) I was fortunate to see him play with some local musicians. He could play back-up to anything! I knew he was good and would be moving on. So, I was not surprised when he dropped out of college to do back up for Ian and Sylvia. (they were based in Toronto, Canada 90 miles from Buffalo.)
I wish he had done an album of the old stuff he did while he was in Buffalo.
Ed Taublieb
edandnancy@verizon.net

15 Dec 14 - 08:59 PM (#3686082)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,jacquie Mosher

thank you , Ed. Nice that people are still sharing the early stories of Monte's music. He was at Buffalo and was studying labor law-- he was 17 years old. I am his daughter, Jacquie. He married my mother Liane Caumont. He has 2 other daughters and one stepdaughter out west from his first marriage to Karen Kruse. He did go out on his own in many ways. He taught at the local private school and worked in music therapy. He also was an avid and brilliant writer (op-ed and features) for several publications. His gift as a writer was as outstanding as his music and his knowledge of law. He had many talents and he used them to help others - that is how I will always remember him. He was a father to me for over 25 years. I miss him very much.

15 Mar 15 - 10:09 PM (#3694334)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - Apr 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Jacqueline Mosher

In honor of Monte ....
Not sure if anyone here is aware of the documentary "The Wrecking Crew," but Monte was part of the Wrecking Crew…film came out this year—a about the session players behind all those who took the spotlight

http://www.magpictures.com/thewreckingcrew/
http://www.sonnycher.com/6.html

Blessings

19 Mar 15 - 05:10 PM (#3695341)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - Apr 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Martin I. Saperstein

I knew Monte from high school. He was head of the folk music club. I remember I had an English teacher who was into folk music. He had Monte play for my class, guitar & banjo. He was already an accomplished musician. Years later I got Ian & Slyvia's Early Morning Rain album. Monte was listed as alternating with Ian on guitar. I flipped. RIP Monte.

20 Mar 15 - 09:17 PM (#3695643)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Bill Waterman

I met Monte our freshman year at SUNY Buffalo. There were groups singing and playing folk music in any space we could find. Monte would be there playing anything that had strings. Other players would stop when he started just to watch him play. He bummed cigarettes from everyone. He left school for several months when he started playing with Ian & Sylvia. One day he showed up at the student union with a big duffle bag. He looked up all of his friends and gave us cartons of cigarettes to pay us back "now that he was a success".

30 Mar 15 - 07:36 PM (#3698516)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST

Beautiful memories, Martin and Bill. Thank you for sharing them. ~~ jacqueline

08 May 15 - 10:56 AM (#3707530)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Guest: Jack C.

Monte was my third cousin. We lived in New Hampshire and every summer his family would come visit us. This is about 1959-62. My grandmother had a two-family house and we lived upstairs. The house had a lot of rooms so a lot of people came and stayed every summer.
Monte brought guitars and a ukulele. We had never seen this. He would sit on the floor and play for us for hours. There was a piano from 1920 that had all kinds of keys that were broken. He would play piano too.
He was brilliant. We had never met anyone like this.
My mother (RIP) said he was the smartest and most talented person in our extended family.

28 May 15 - 09:18 PM (#3712672)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Jacquie Mosher

Beautiful memory you have shared, Jack. He and my mom (late widow of Monte) Liane were married over 25 years. His was brilliant at so many things -- his writing was brilliant, too. There was never a time I would see Monte with either an instrument, a book or writing -- his mind was incredible and incredibly active. I miss him. Coming up on his birthday and their (he and my mom) anniversary in June. Thank you for sharing your memories~~~

06 Jul 15 - 08:46 PM (#3721542)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,nikos1121

Do you recall what guitar Monte was playing? I met him in Chicago around 1964 or 65. I was like 15 years old. I carried his guitar out to his car. He was playing back up for Ian and Sylvia. I think he was playing a Guild F-20 or 30. Would you know? nick

06 Jul 15 - 08:52 PM (#3721545)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST

Jacquie,

I remember his guitar. Was it an F-20 or F-30? I carried it out to his car when I was 15 years old in Chicago. He was backing Ian and Sylvia. nick

06 Jul 15 - 09:51 PM (#3721557)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: Joe Offer

A rather nice biography at allmusic.com:

21 Oct 15 - 05:53 AM (#3745612)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Perry Lee

I don't know if anyone is still watching this thread, but I will add one Monte Dunn story. First of all, I am saddened to hear of his passing. Far too many of that generation are going, and soon we will all be minor entries in the history books.
I hung around the Buffalo coffee houses, and I even managed one for a while: The Boar's Head (aka The Golden Boar) on Pearl Street. The Limelight was a couple of blocks over, and the hub of activity was Laughlin's Bar, but that is a whole other bunch of stories...
Jerry Raven owned the Limelight, and he also owned a coffee house near UB that I can't remember the name of... The Ninth Circle? Lots of good people hung out there, and that is where my one Monte Dunn story took place.
Steve Mann had just finished a set when a strange man walked in and started greeting everybody like old friends. I asked who it was and Gary Faulmann said it was Monte Dunn, guitarist for Ian and Sylvia. Monte sat down and chatted until Steve came off the stage, and Monte asked Steve if he could try his 12 string. It was a brand new Guild, if I remember correctly, and Steve handed it to Monte with a bit of reluctance. Monte proceeded to play, talk, smoke and mostly play for over half an hour. Regardless of what his mind and voice were doing, his hands kept weaving the most mesmerizing thirty minutes of music I had ever heard. He played so hard that he broke two strings on the guitar, and it did not slow him down a bit. Steve Mann did not say a word. He was just as mesmerized as every one else. It was a special moment, and I will never forget it. There were some amazing guitarists in the room that night, and they all deferred to Monte.
A little later Monte left, and I never saw him again.
Not much of a story I know, but I was listening to "Early Morning Rain" today,and Monte's name popped into my head. I have read all of the posts in this thread and I see that he contributed far more to the world than backup guitar on a few albums.
My wife and I live on forty acres halfway between Lexington and Louisville KY. I am now a landscape photographer, and those days in Buffalo and Toronto seem very far away, except at 3 AM when I can't sleep, and I pull out a David Blue or Ian and Sylvia album, and then it seems like only yesterday.
My sympathies to all the people who lost a father, husband, companion and mentor.

21 Oct 15 - 06:34 AM (#3745621)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Perry Lee

I remember the name of Jerry Raven's coffee house on Bailey Avenue in Buffalo: it was The Inner Circle. Chris Gray, Gary Faulmann, Gregory Corso, Steve Mann, Brian Maday... Too many good people to remember.

25 Oct 15 - 08:51 PM (#3746630)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,jacqueline

Perry Lee - I keep up with the thread. I posted here right after Monte passed. Thank you for sharing your story-- never say "it isn't much of a story" -- stories matter -- memories matter-thank you for sharing.

11 Feb 16 - 04:12 PM (#3772073)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,tobaccocard

It is a long time since this thread was started but I have just discovered it.

Monte was a good friend of mine in Stuyvesant High School in New York City. Stuyvesant was north of Greenwich Village and a small group of us were members of the Folk Song Club, and spent many hours in the Village. Listening, drinking coffee and playing in the basket clubs.

Monte was a bitter picker than most of us, and although we were surprised when he dropped out of school to go on tour with Ian and Sylvia, we were extremely proud of his success, which seemed to end when Ian's legal problems began.

24 Feb 16 - 11:33 AM (#3774739)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,tobaccocard

I was thinking back about Monte after I found this thread. I remembered the day he had mastered picking Railroad Bill and proceeded to teach us how it was done.

I have a strong memory of him picking Sporting Life Blues. I don't think I had heard it before.

09 Dec 17 - 11:28 AM (#3893001)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Richard Pertz

I met Monte in 1961 in New York, and am posting to this thread to let you (and, mostly, his family) know that you can catch a glimpse of Monte in a short film on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEvKe2WLumI) of a protest at Washington Square Park in New York in April of 1961. Monte can be seen playing his Noah Wolfe guitar at 2:35 (he's on the far left of the shot). I'm carrying a sign "Commissioner Morris, of Thee We Sing" at 2:55.
I haven't checked out the rest of the film, but wanted to let those of you who knew Monte to know it's there.
Monte was then, and in the years I knew him (early '60's) a compulsive musician, and apparently stayed that way over the years.

20 Jan 18 - 04:29 PM (#3900761)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Jacqueline

Thank you , Richard, thank you so very much for the footage link.

20 Jan 18 - 05:43 PM (#3900781)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: The Sandman

thanks that is an interesting clip

23 Jan 18 - 04:18 PM (#3901334)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,J.L. Gevirtz

I am very late in this, but I felt that I should acknowledge that I new Monte back in 1959 when he used to come by Noa Wulfe's shop where I was working. He had one of the original Noa guitars that was held together with orange crate. He was just learning the Cuckoo, a modal Appalachian tune. I was glad when he developed into the musician he became. Very sad to learn of his passing.

25 Apr 19 - 11:25 PM (#3989287)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Lexi Cruz (montes granddaughter)

Thank you everyone whose shared these stories on here. It’s amazing reading all about my grandfather through those who knew him. It’s been 12 years today and i just found this thread. Thank you so much to everyone. If anyone has any other stories they would like to share you can email me at ralfandlexi@gmail.com. My mom and I would love to hear anything out there. The more great memories we hear from others the more it just keeps his spirit alive of the amazing talented man he was. With much love, Lexi.

26 Sep 19 - 09:10 PM (#4010717)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Sarah Caumont-Gibson

I am Monte's step-grandaughter and can testify to his wonderfulness. He knew everything about Chinese culture and the mafia and was just a sweet sweet person.

21 Feb 20 - 12:42 PM (#4035403)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,Paulie G.

I don’t know why I picked today to google Monte since I haven’t spoke with him in years and now I know why. I first met Monte as a young teenager at a TMA 514 meeting and at that time, I thought he was the most radical person I had ever seen. Little did I know thru the years when we spoke that his views would later make more sense than anyone I had met. Monte was a libertarian....for less govt, and more personal freedom. Monte truely was a kind soul who thought light years ahead of me. RIP Monte and keep strumming that guitar. You were one of a kind.

08 Apr 24 - 05:42 PM (#4200649)
Subject: RE: Obit: The passing of Monte Dunn - April 25, 2007
From: GUEST,13579jim

I saw Monte play with Ian and Sylvia at the Town Hall in NYC. He backs them up on their fourth album, Early Morning Rain. I can listen to his guitar parts all night and all day. Every day. Which I have.

Is that his best work? On the second and third Ian and Sylvia records it's Monte and John Herald. Those are extraordinary as well.