Stan Rogers - 30 years on

[charlene]

He died in Cleveland after the plane he was on crashed and caught on fire on June 2,1983. He was returning home from the Kerrville,Texas Festival on a later flight because he had stayed to sit around campfires and sing into the morning hours.. He was 33, leaving behind 4 children and his wife Ariel. His son Nathan is a singer songwriter and speaks in the clip as does Aengus Finnan.

http://music.cbc.ca/#/blogs/2013/5/Rise-Again-Songwriters-reflect-on-Stan-Rogers-30-years-after-his-death

CBC had a small bit last night: Remembering Stan Rogers - YouTube

[lighthead2toe]

Can't believe how fast the time really goes.

A big highlight for me was the day Stan's album "Live at the Groaning Board" (The Groaning Board was a Toronto pub at the time) was being recorded.

A group of us fans went there early as the show was to start at noon as I recall. The bar was getting set to open at noon and I joined the line up for drinks and Stan joined in behind me in the line.

He was very humble as I remember and we just had a short conversation. Subsequently he autographed the album for me and I still have it in my collection.

Following his passing once things were settled there was a celebration of his life concert held in the Bathurst Theatre in Toronto as I recall.

Joe Lewis, a Toronto radio host from the Ryerson FM radio station CJRT was the MC for the evening and there were a host of guest appearances including Stan's brother Garnet. There was no fee to enter the concert hall but a donation box was available.
Despite the sadness it was a very joyous event.

From what I gathered from close sources, although unofficial, a washroom fan on the aircraft overheated and caught fire and Stan had opportunities to exit the plane but held back to let others go ahead of him.

He was a no nonsense guy though and didn't suffer fools lightly.

"Harris and the Mare" a song Stan wrote which is on the "Live from the Groaning Board" album has a line :

"I was a conscie in the war saying what the hell is this for,
but I had to see his blood to be a man"

It talks about a young intoxicated man (Cleary) who enters the pub where (Stan) and his (wife) were enjoying a quiet pint of stout and Cleary threatens to steal Stan's wife and a brawl ensues.

The song has a really great arrangement and is my favorite on the album. The guitar as I recall is in the "DADGAD" tuning.

Will always miss you Stan but it's good your music is living on.

[lighthead2toe]

Today is the 33rd anniversary of the passing of Stan Rogers. He was also in his 33rd year of age when he died.
Stan left a huge body of work for us to enjoy though. I really like his version of "Three Fishers" and "Dark Eyed Molly."
Sure do miss those great performances Stan gave.
Good gives him lots of stars.

[charlene]

His son has a beautiful tribute at his FB page. - Nathan Rogers.. and a beautiful photo of him as a toddler with his dad... check it out..

[imported_Ordinary_Man]

He died in Cleveland after the plane he was on crashed and caught on fire on June 2,1983. He was returning home from the Kerrville,Texas Festival on a later flight because he had stayed to sit around campfires and sing into the morning hours.. He was 33, leaving behind 4 children and his wife Ariel. His son Nathan is a singer songwriter and speaks in the clip as does Aengus Finnan.

http://music.cbc.ca/#/blogs/2013/5/Rise-Again-Songwriters-reflect-on-Stan-Rogers-30-years-after-his-death

CBC had a small bit last night: Remembering Stan Rogers - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfLXTCQWd1s)

A nitpick: The plane burned at the Cincinnati airport, (which is actually in Kentucky), not at Cleveland OH.