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27 Oct 09 - 08:41 AM (#2753557) Subject: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: GUEST,Mary Katherine, cookieless this morning Just got this. Fred, for those who may not remember, was a member of the crew of the Clearwater for awhile. Dear Folk Music and Peace Friends, Fred's daughter Tasha called me this morning to give me the sad news that Fred passed away last night, October 25, at about 10:30 PM. He was at the Chatsworth Park Rehab facility, where he had been transferred again after being hospitalized most recently at Northridge Hospital. Cause of death is as yet undetermined, though as you know he had been in failing health for the past two months. My fragile hope for his eventual recovery just wasn't meant to be. I do not want to pass along unreliable information, so I will leave it at that for now. I will be sending out further information as it becomes available. I am on my way over to Tasha's now, to help Barbara and Tasha with final arrangements. We will be planning a memorial, etc., to which we will send out invitations, for a date TBA. I am very sorry to convey this sad news in an email, but I don't have time to call everyone now. I will send out an address to send sympathy cards by this evening or tomorrow at latest. On behalf of Fred's family I want to thank you for your many expressions of support and encouragement during Fred's illness. Like all of you I wish it had not come to this. Please feel free to forward this email to friends of Fred who would want to know. Thank you. With love and sorrow, Ross Altman |
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27 Oct 09 - 12:10 PM (#2753685) Subject: Obit: Fred Starner of Great River Folk Fest. From: Art Thieme Word has just reached me via old friend Larry Penn that Fred Starner has passed away. He was a good folksinger who was highly influenced by Pete Seeger's music, ethic and humanity. Fred was part of the original Clearwater crew, and in fact worked on the construction of the sloop tying ratlines and rigging. He was also responsible for founding "The Great River Traditional Music And Crafts Festival" in La Crosse, Wisconsin back in '71 The festival still exists, and is listed in Wisconsin's Tour guide. Sadly, we had lost contact in recent years, but I have many good memories of Fred Starner and his wife Barbara at those festivals. Art Thieme |
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27 Oct 09 - 03:06 PM (#2753797) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: Phil Cooper Sorry to hear that. I knew Fred through folk alliance and the Kart-a-bags and always enjoyed talking to him. --Phil |
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27 Oct 09 - 03:14 PM (#2753803) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: Francy Fred played at three of my August folk festivals and we did some gigs together throughout the Oregon Coast.......So long my friend.....Frank of Toledo |
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27 Oct 09 - 05:50 PM (#2753924) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: Francy Fred was a wannabe "Hobo" and we had lot of good times playing songs of the open road......He told me lots of tales from the Clearwater; about the various assortment of crew members.......Louis Killen...Don McLean...His long neck banjo look a lot like Pete Seeger's, with all kind of names on the drumhead......He also mentioned his time in Wisconsin Art.....very serious guy yet a lot of fun musically......Frank of Toledo |
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27 Oct 09 - 06:15 PM (#2753940) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: Mark Ross Fred finally caught the Westbound I guess. RIP. Mark Ross |
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27 Oct 09 - 06:37 PM (#2753958) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: Anglo I'm sorry to hear this. I met Fred when I was on the second Clearwater singing crew, and ran into him again a few times over the years. RIP, Fred. |
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27 Oct 09 - 09:26 PM (#2754056) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: Martha Burns Really sad to hear this. I remember Fred from the Great River Festival, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where I sang in 1981. What a memorable weekend. Wonderful music -- can still remember the line-up, and Fred was as good a host as you'll ever meet. Did everything just right. Does anyone know how old he was? |
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27 Oct 09 - 11:04 PM (#2754096) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: Francy He was in his early 70's/////We talked a lot when he was in Oregon some years and we were about the same age........Still too young to go....Frank of Toledo |
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28 Oct 09 - 10:55 AM (#2754109) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: Martha Burns Yes, too young. |
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28 Oct 09 - 11:29 AM (#2754136) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: Francy refresh |
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28 Oct 09 - 05:53 PM (#2754368) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: geezer So long, Fred. Ride free! -REM- |
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28 Oct 09 - 10:07 PM (#2754556) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: Francy Has anyone heard when Fred's service will be? Frank of Toledo |
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29 Oct 09 - 01:12 AM (#2754608) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: GUEST,Mary Katherine I've been checking his web site at http://www.hobobanjofred.com/ but so far it hasn't even been updated to indicate his passing, so not sure whether they will get it updated in time for his service or not. I'll send an email to the person who let me know about his death and see whether they know anything about a funeral or memorial service. |
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29 Oct 09 - 05:53 AM (#2754676) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: Mick Tems Fred dropped by to sing us some of his hobo songs a long while ago. I still have Fred's CD. Mick Tems, Llantrisant Folk Club, South Wales |
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29 Oct 09 - 10:52 AM (#2754808) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: Francy refresh |
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29 Oct 09 - 01:00 PM (#2754936) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: GUEST,rip in peace my freind i first met fred at the first great river festival in 1971 ...sang with him that nite and many times over the years....always at the hobo hootenanny in bangor ...Fred you will be missed ....your music will be missed and the stories you told will be missed ...rest in peace fred...ed bonam ..galesville wi |
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31 Oct 09 - 12:33 AM (#2756357) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: Francy I still would like to know when Fred's service was, or will be.....I'll keep trying......I have a phone number, but no answer......If anyone can help me I would appreciate it.......thanks all....Frank of toledo |
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01 Nov 09 - 10:49 PM (#2757672) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: GUEST,Sue Bulk, LaCrosse Our family has many memories of the good times at the Great River Traditional Music and Crafts Festival. Fred was its guiding force for many years and enlisted my husband and me on our second year in the community. Our condolences to Barbara and Tasha. I am so glad he came into our lives. |
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02 Nov 09 - 10:29 AM (#2757919) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: GUEST,Michael Mercer-NY To this day I cannot express my gratitude for a man who shared his love of music, banjo and guitar, general sense of kindness to all who met him. To this day I still play the banjo and guitar and tell my son of this man-Fred Starner. To his wife Barbara my heart felt sadness on his passing and rebirth. They welcomed me into their home got me involved with the Great Tiver Festival in LaCrosse. So many fond memories of the Starner family. Fred-I have watched you from afar and always had you in my heart. I will never forget you. |
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02 Nov 09 - 08:29 PM (#2758374) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: GUEST,Peg Nolan "A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 14, at Studio City's Universalists Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, 724 Walcott Ave., Beacon, N.Y. 12508; www.clearwater.org." Full obituary from LaCrosseTribune at: http://www.lacrossetribune.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/article_8bb4387a-c5b2-11de-8734-001cc4c03286.html or Dick Mial's editorial about Fred: http://www.lacrossetribune.com/news/opinion/article_7d2e2d00-c5a4-11de-b615-001cc4c03286.html Fred Starner - A very good man with a big heart, a song and a smile for all - his was a life well lived... we'll all miss you! with love, Peg |
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05 Nov 09 - 07:17 PM (#2760476) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: GUEST,Fritz Stocker, Chula Vista, CA Fred Starner was my student and friend at Ohio State in the '60s. On a whim I goodled his name and was astonished to learn that he has just died! I remember him and Barbara very fondly, although we have lost touch over the years. |
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05 Nov 09 - 10:23 PM (#2760568) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: GUEST,Lisa Null Fred was a terrific person-- a good host, a good singer, and a fine songwriter. I played the Great River Festival with Bill Shute and remember coming out ahead, gigging with Fred in Mineral Point, and staying with at his wonderful while we did some students concerts. We talked a lot about his aspirations for the festival. Sometime after 9/11 I heard him on Amy Goodman and was delighted he was still actively performing. I remember his song" Homemade Bread and Cheese/Lots of butter if you Please/ These are the simple Things." I'm sad, even though we have not recently been in touch, knowing he no longer on the folk music map. A sweet and intelligent man. |
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05 Nov 09 - 11:07 PM (#2760587) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: GUEST,Sue Kozin I am sadden to read of Fred Starner's passing. He was one of our favorite guest at No Exit. It seems that October has been a tough month on too many friends. |
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09 Nov 09 - 12:01 PM (#2762835) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: GUEST,Mike Boning Peg Nolan already mentioned the memorial service for Fred. The time and address are in message below... To Members of the Folk Club, Community Storytellers and the progressive Community, Folk singer, storyteller, and environmental and peace activist Fred Starner passed away last October 25, after two months of a very difficult on-and-off hospitalization for pneumonia and a chronic lung condition. He was 72 years old. The Santa Monica Traditional Folk Music Club and Neighbors for Peace and Justice will co-host a public memorial for Fred on Saturday, November 14 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. All are invited. The Studio City Unitarian Church 12355 Moorpark Ave. Studio City, CA. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you at a celebration of Fred Starner's life and music on the 14th. Ross Altman |
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10 Nov 09 - 01:28 AM (#2763222) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: GUEST,Ross Altman, Organizer of Fred Starner's Mem Dear All Mudcat Readers and Posters, Thank you for so many fine tributes to our mutual friend and folk music inspiration, Fred Starner. I will make them available to Fred's family in a Memory Book I am creating for the memorial. We have had to change the start time from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM to give our sound engineer more time to set everything up. At 3:00 PM we will begin the live portion of the program, with music from his repertoire and songs he wrote or had a hand in; a story or two he told in his wonderfully droll style, such as "Old Cy," which he got from Peter Marsten in 1982 and later recorded; and a Hail Mary pass of a performance of "When the Saints Go Marching In" complete with New Orleans style clarinet; then at 4:30 PM (folk music time) we will screen Fred's just completed Hobo Documentary, "That's the Ticket, Roadhog," as sung to Pete Seeger in the film, directed by Bill McIntyre. Fred also interviews Pete in the film, on Pete's own experience with hoboing in the 1930's with Woody. All are welcome. For those who wish to know more about Fred's life, the Los Angeles Times will publish a news obituary on Wednesday. And for those wishing to know still more, my obituary for Fred will soon be up on the FolkWorks web site--www.folkworks.org Best wishes, Ross Altman |
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10 Nov 09 - 01:52 AM (#2763224) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: GUEST,Ross Altman; a postscript on Fred's Memorial Hello Again, My editors just informed me that my obituary for Fred is now up on the front page of FolkWorks, www.folkworks.org It has a couple of very nice photos as well. The LA Times obituary, by Valerie Nelson, will be out on Wednesday. The Memorial will be from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Studio City Unitarian Church, 12355 Moorpark Ave in Studio City, CA. Moorpark is the next major east/west thoroughfare north of Ventura Blvd, and the church is located between Coldwater Canyon Blvd and Laurel Canyon Blvd. on Moorpark. I'll check back later in the week to pick up more tributes for Fred's Memory Book. Thank you for your many heartfelt reminiscences. Best, Ross |
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12 Nov 09 - 03:41 PM (#2764991) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: sed I met Fred through Brother Frederick Douglas Kirkpatrick (Brother Kirk) in 1979. What a shock when Pete told me Fred had died! As previously indicated by others Fred had an open heart and a kind soul. His performed story about "cottage cheese" was so very funny to me, also! He was part of what's best about the folk music community: a guy with real intelligence who nevertheless enjoyed communicating with everyone! -Steve Sedberry in east central Alabama |
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12 Nov 09 - 11:58 PM (#2765217) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: Martha Burns Great obit, Ross. Told me a lot about Fred that I didn't know. Hope others will read it, too. |
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13 Nov 09 - 02:32 AM (#2765238) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: GUEST To Martha Burns: Thank you very much for your kind words, Martha, and for taking the time to read my obituary for Fred on www.folkworks.org The LA Times did a fine job with its obituary too, published on November 11, except for one factual error in misattributing "Hobo's Lullaby" to Fred rather than its author, Goebel Reeves. However, the lines quoted in the above mistaken reference were accurately the work of Fred, and were taken from his own song, "Escape." I am too busy working on the final details of Fred's memorial this Saturday to worry about correcting the Times, and I know damn well that everyone who reads MudCat already knows who wrote "Hobo's Lullaby," but damn it, I had to tell someone, so I'm telling you. Peace, Ross |
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23 Feb 10 - 07:58 PM (#2848258) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: GUEST,Spencer Starner If anyone is wondering about the Starner family - http://www.angelfire.com/mt/mamachic/starner.html. Many people are clueless to the whereabouts of the remaining Starner Family relatives. |
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13 Mar 10 - 03:33 PM (#2863557) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: GUEST,A Former Student Fred was an economics professor of mine at Drew University in the spring semester, 1969. Fred taught comparative economic systems, and was an excellent teacher. Only recectly did I learn of his musical career, and had a chance to exchange e-mails with him before he died. |
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13 Mar 10 - 11:06 PM (#2863705) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: Art Thieme Pete Seeger would often drape his sweater down his back and hold it in position by crossing the arms of it in front of him. This served him well by allowing both hands free for banjo playing. In LaCrosse, Wis. Fred and Barbara's house, on Main St. I think, had a central dining-room which had several entrances from different directions--like concentric spokes coming into the center of a wheel. I could hear Pete playing his banjo and wandering around the house as he did---for maybe half an hour or 45 minutes. I could also hear Fred playing his banjo and wandering too. At one point Fred entered the room from the north, picking and singing and wearing the same exact sweater his mentor Pete had --with the arms of it holding it in place. At exactly the same moment, Pete Seeger entered that same room from the opposing spoke of the wheel. Both continued to play until they MET in the center of the room--almost crashing obliviously into each other--but finally noticing each other. Fred looked up, stopped playing, and greeted Mr Seeger by saying, "Pete!" Pete looked up and greeted Mr. Starner by saying, "Fred!" Both men then started picking the same tune--and went on their ways passing down other hallways. Good people you had to be there, maybe to appreciate that moment, but I'm recounting it as I remember it occurring just to hold on to it. It was hilarious and some of us just broke up laughing. It was also poignant and truly indicative of how much Fred Starner idolized Pete and his music. -- It took me some years to see beyond the humor of it. I am truly glad that I've lived long enough to see the truths of it!! If not for time, we'd need to do everything all at once. Take my word for it, it was wonderful!! Art Thieme |
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14 Mar 10 - 05:23 PM (#2864098) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: Art Thieme One other thing to mention: Pete and all of us were there in LaCrosse for that Great River Folk Festival that is mentioned a bunch in this thread. At one evening concert, we all found ourselves on stage with Pete. For me, it was the first time I'd done that---and I was blown away by the experience. As usual, I had my camera hanging around my neck, and I couldn't let the moment pass without snapping a photo of the man. That snapshot is at my folk scene photos web-place that BKLick provided for me at his good website. http://rudegnu.com/art_thieme.html Best, Art |
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22 Mar 10 - 12:17 PM (#2869309) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: Art Thieme refr. for Bob to more easily locate this thread... |
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25 Apr 10 - 10:36 PM (#2894341) Subject: RE: Obit: Fred Starner RIP (October 2009) From: GUEST,David Jones Guest Don't know how this sad news passed me by, only found out about it this weekend from Martha Burns. I knew Fred very well, sang at his festival several times, was there when Pete Seeger and Rev. Fred Kirkpatrick sang, it was a great weekend. Also joined him for some music making in southern California. Fred, Barbara and Natasha spent a couple of summers in Gloucester Mass. and Fred would join Peter Marston, Charles O'Hegarty and myself, (we were "The Starboard List"), in singing sea songs at "The Winds of Change" on friday nights. It was there that Fred learned "Old Sy the Privy Builder" from Peter, and in return, gave Peter his song "The Columbia", which was recorded on one of the Starboard List albums. Don't think Fred or Charles got anything from the record company for their songs but at least we have them. Charles passed away in January 2010. Fred gave me his CD, it is a nice to have to remember what a good guy Fred was. So sorry for Barbara and Natasha. David |