Photo via GordonStoneMusic.com
Banjoist and bandleader Gordon Stone – known by many in the jam world for his collaborations with the likes of Phish, moe., Strangefolk and Max Creek – has died.
Vermont Jazz Radio host David Beckett broke the news on July 12, writing, “If I had a nickel for every evening I was delighted by his playing at Hunts on Main Street in Burlington, I’d be wealthy. He elevated every group he played in.”
“Heartbroken to hear of the passing of Vermont legend Gordon Stone. Gordon was a kind, gentle soul and an elegant musician,” Phish’s Trey Anastasio said upon hearing of his passing.
Stone was a graduate of Boston’s Berklee College of Music and he released a total of six studio albums through his career.
Phish’s Mike Gordon took banjo lessons from the late musician as early as 1992, and Stone’s namesake band eventually performed at marquee Phish events like The Clifford Ball, The Great Went and Lemonwheel. T.A.B. drummer Russ Lawton also logged some time in the Gordon Stone Band.
Explained Gordon via social media, “I took my first banjo lessons from [Stone], and pedal steel, too. He was in my first solo band, The Drop Caps, with [Scott Murawski] and Greg DeGuglielmo, for a show, and on my Inside In album and first solo tour. Twelve years ago when Sue and I got married it was the sound of his pedal steel before and after the ceremony. He was a long time friend and mentor. I will miss you, Gordon!”
According to Phish.net, Stone’s banjo and pedal steel skills can be heard on the A Picture of Nectar recording of “Poor Heart” and as well as Rift‘s “Fast Enough for You.” Stone also performed alongside Gordon for his 2003 solo project Inside In.
In the live setting, Stone guested with Phish on 11/19/92 and 7/22/93, adding pedal steel to “Poor Heart” for the former and playing banjo on a string of songs (“Paul and Silas”> “The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday”> “Avenu Malkenu”> “Rocky Top”) for the latter.
More recently, the bluegrass maestro jammed with moe. at Burlington, VT’s Higher Ground (10/10/06), a gig that also featured Phish’s Page McConnell.
Outside of the jam world, Stone won an Emmy Award for his work on the soundtrack of Jay Craven’s VPT series, “Windy Acres.”
Check out a photo of Stone jamming with Phish, watch him perform in 2005 with his namesake band and listen to his studio work with Phish below:
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Watch Mike Gordon and Family Perform “Angel Band” in Memory of Gordon Stone – Blogvibes
August 4, 2020 at 6:02 pm[…] the passing of banjoist Gordon Stone, FANS hosted “Touch And Go,” a memorial livestream featuring a number of the late musician’s […]
MarZaPhiGar
July 13, 2020 at 9:18 pmIve been to many a great show in my 52 years, but hands down the best TIME I ever had at a show was at Barnaby’s Backyard Blowout in Rockingham in 2010. Woke up that morning with no plans at all. Totally impromptu. The vibe during GSB set was just pure magic. One of the greatest nites of my life.
Jake
July 13, 2020 at 12:15 pmGod took the wrong Gordon, should have been that peodaphile Mike Gordon instead.
me
July 13, 2020 at 3:42 pmJake… you are a fine example of a pathetic piece of shit
Glenn
July 12, 2020 at 3:50 pmGordon was a true talent and made beautiful steel pedal music. I saw him perform at Makor (NYC) sometime in the 2000s and got to meet him. I’m hoping Phish will do some sort of tribute to honor his memory.
Wolfie
July 12, 2020 at 1:46 pmA major loss to the Northeast music community. My favorite memory is of seeing his band in the basement of a church in Albany, NY on a Wednesday night. There were maybe 30 of us sitting on wooden benches caught in amazement of the talent before us.
Brought his most recent CD to get autographed after the show and he exclaimed “So you’re the one who bought it!”
Gonna spin some old CD’s of his today. Float on the Jam, Gordon. We’ll miss you.
Dave bonan
July 12, 2020 at 11:23 amI just found out Gordon Stone passed away. His 1998 album “Even with the Odds”, was a multi genre banjo album that rocked my world in every way. Every song was great by itself so the whole album stands alone. It will always be in my collection.
He was the real deal and so approachable. Saw him sit in with Max Creek on many occasions. I saw him play a show in CT and a week later I was on a bike trip in Burlington, VT and checked out all the shows in town beforehand I was psyched to see Gordon at the Red House on a summer Tuesday evening. His wife and I talked all night long and when he got off stage he remembered me instantly and we hung out for the next 3 days. Such warmth.
Many years ago I saw he was playing a one off show on New Year’s Eve at 10pm in Midtown, his calendar was basically empty. The weird thing, I was the only person who showed up and they were as boggled as I. They ended the show early, he was pissed off and that’s the last time I ever saw him. I recommended his album just last week.
There are so many popular banjo players in the scene and his voice still stands out.
Strum strum.