DER US-AMERIKANISCHE BANJO-SPIELER, SÄNGER UND MULTIINSTRUMENTALIST ERIC WEISSBERG IST GESTORBEN

23.03.2020 Eric Weissberg (Bild rechts), der am 16. August 1939 in New York City geborene US-amerikanische Banjo-Spieler, Bluesgrass-, Folk- und Country-Sänger, Arrangeur und Multiinstrumentalist (Gitarre, Steel Guitar, Geige, Mandoline, Dobro usw.), ist am 22. März 2020 gestorben. Sein Banjo-Solo in "Duelling Banjos" (Thema des Films "Deliverance") wurde weltberühmt. Jahrelang war Weissberg Mitglied der Folk-Gruppe The Tarriers, sodann betätigte er sich als gefragter Sessionmusiker auch der ganz Grossen wie Judy Collins, Billy Joel, Jim Croce, Talking Heads, Art Garfunkel, John Denver und Bob Dylan. Bis zuletzt trat er noch bei Folkfestivals auf.

Bild: Eric Weissberg (rechts) zusammen mit Happy Traum - Foto: © https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10216139382177846&set=a.1064172845107&type=3&theater

Today we lost a first-rate musician and a wonderful human being

Eric Weissberg was a consummate musician, a solid and seemingly effortless player of stringed instruments of all kinds - banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, pedal steel and string bass. He was also one of those rare souls about whom one can truly say "What you see is what you get." Despite his prodigious talents and musical successes, he was humble, down-to-earth, and an easy-going companion with not a bit of artifice in him. He had many wonderful stories from his long career that he told in minute detail and with a twinkle of good humor that could keep you entertained for hours.

Happy Traum

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10216139382177846&set=a.1064172845107&type=3&theater

Eric Weissberg, "Dueling Banjos" and "Blood on the Tracks" Musician, Dead at 80

Weissberg became infatuated with the banjo at a young age after watching a Pete Seeger performance at his Greenwich Village school as a child. When he was eight, Seeger himself began giving him lessons. He also attended hootenannies at Seeger's apartment, where he was able to see legends like Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly perform up close.

Andy Greene

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/eric-weissberg-dueling-banjos-blood-on-the-tracks-musician-dead-at-80-971278/

His melodic banjo work on a 1973 hit single (heard in the movie "Deliverance") helped usher bluegrass music into the cultural mainstream

As a session player he appeared on Judy Collins's "Fifth Album," contributing guitar to her 1965 version of "Pack Up Your Sorrows." He played banjo on John Denver's 1971 Top 10 pop hit, "Take Me Home, Country Roads." His fretwork was heard on albums like Bob Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks" (1974), Billy Joel's "Piano Man" (1973) and the Talking Heads' "Little Creatures" (1985). He collaborated with jazz musicians like Bob James and Herbie Mann as well.

Bill Friskics-Warren

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/23/arts/music/eric-weissberg-dies.html

Videos:

DUELING BANJOS ~ Guitar & Banjo Song ~ Deliverance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=gsC4kf6x_Q0&feature=emb_logo

Duelling Banjos (Live 1973) Eric Weissberg And Deliverance HD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=icWkyedURkM&feature=emb_logo

Eric Weissberg Medley and Dueling Banjos with Tom Paxton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1cc5JKIlAU

New Dimensions In Banjo And Bluegrass [1963] - Eric Weissberg, Marshall Brickman & Company

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rf7Lo-4kt4

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