RIP Richie Havens

Who PrincessWho Princess out here in the fields Posts: 7,305
edited April 2013 in Other Music
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/ ... 6X20130422
Folk musician Richie Havens dead at 72

(Reuters) - U.S. folk musician Richie Havens, who opened the historic 1969 Woodstock musical festival and energized the crowd with his version of "Motherless Child/Freedom," died of a heart attack on Monday at the age of 72, his talent agency said.

Havens, who emerged from the New York folk scene in the 1960s, died at his home in Jersey City, New Jersey, Roots Agency President Tim Drake told Reuters.

"The Roots Agency represented Richie Havens for many years and regrets to post of his passing on April 22, 2013," the agency said on its website.

Known for his driving guitar and soulful covers of pop and folk songs, Havens recorded, performed and toured for more than four decades, using acoustic guitar music to champion the causes of personal freedom and brotherhood. He retired from touring three years ago.

His family said a public memorial would be announced later and asked for privacy in the meantime.

"Beyond his music, those who have met Havens will remember his gentle and compassionate nature, his light humor and his powerful presence," his family said in a statement.

Havens' improvised version of the gospel song "Motherless Child" evolved into "Freedom" at Woodstock and became an anthem of the 1960s hippie generation. His performance of the song was included in the "Woodstock" concert movie and broadened his audience.

A different version of the "Freedom" song was included on the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino's award-winning 2012 slavery era movie "Django Unchained."

Other Havens hits included versions of Beatles classics "Here Comes the Sun" and "Strawberry Fields Forever," and The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again."

(Reporting By Jill Serjeant; Editing by Cynthia Johnston and Bill Trott)

Powerful singer with a distinctive voice. RIP. :(
"The stars are all connected to the brain."
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • AndySlashAndySlash Posts: 3,247
    damn.

    i first heard of richie havens via a compilation album put out many years ago, and picked up 4-5 albums within a few months after that. looks like i'll be spinning a couple this week.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf1B9ktRCkg

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBbXKsKXyNU

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj5aZdeHsIQ
  • SD48277SD48277 Posts: 12,243
    :(
    RIP
    ELITIST FUK
  • BinFrogBinFrog MA Posts: 7,309
    A legend...with a little help from some perfect timing. RIP.
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
    Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
  • cutzcutz Posts: 11,846
    AndySlash wrote:
    damn.

    i first heard of richie havens via a compilation album put out many years ago, and picked up 4-5 albums within a few months after that. looks like i'll be spinning a couple this week.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf1B9ktRCkg

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBbXKsKXyNU

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj5aZdeHsIQ

    Some great tunes ther.

    Here's another:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viqe5AE4ONc
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,070
    Oh man... very sad. Richie Havens was a sweet, sweet soul.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,196
    Love that man and his music. His musical influence will live on forever.

    Rest in peace
    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • dimitrispearljamdimitrispearljam Posts: 139,720
    i just read it at facebook... :( :( :(
    "...Dimitri...He talks to me...'.."The Ghost of Greece..".
    "..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
    “..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
  • freedom, freedom, freedom. Sometimes I feel like a motherless child...
  • dimitrispearljamdimitrispearljam Posts: 139,720
    freedom, freedom, freedom. Sometimes I feel like a motherless child...
    i love it...
    "...Dimitri...He talks to me...'.."The Ghost of Greece..".
    "..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
    “..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
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