Comments on: A DEATH IN THE FAMILY

By: Peter Fisher

Peter Fisher — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:59:04 +0000

I am sorry to hear of the passing of Nick Reynolds. I was a fan of the trio form the late 1950’s and had most of their albums that were released in Britain. It’s a pity that many others were not released here. When they split up in 1967, I thought it was a great waste of a conbined talent. It was years since that I had discovered that Bob had formed a new group.
I send my condolences to Nicks family, and best wishes and good health to Bob Shane.

By: John May

John May — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:14:17 +0000

Rick,
After reading your long, insightful and poignant rememberance of Nick Reynonds, it’s a natural deduction that your a natural blogger and that you’re Irish. Thanks. As part of the Kingston Trio, Nick Reynolds was a large part of my life and I’m not alone in feeling a vacancy in my life with Nick’s death.
Thanks again.

By: Gayle Miller

Gayle Miller — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:09:23 +0000

Oh crud - I adored the Kingston Trio and had such a massive crush on each of them but especially on Nick Reynolds. That smile of his, don’t you know!

I was in my sophomore year of college and it was a heady time to be alive - they were an integral part of it!

By: Warren

Warren — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:31:13 +0000

Your blog says that the trio steered clear of protest music. Not true. They recorded a whole album of protest songs (”Time to Think”), plus numerous individual songs, notably “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” and my favorite, “Poverty Hill.” The latter is about the blind insenstivities of the elite in a class-based economic system.

By: Lars

Lars — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:35:02 +0000

The Kingston Trio was a part of my youth as well. Listened to their music for hours on end. I miss the music and that era. RIP Nick.

By: Jim Your Brother

Jim Your Brother — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 22:29:04 +0000

A wonderful piece written with genuine insight and feeling.

Here’s a little powder for the cannon, BTW - when John Stewart died in January, the LA Times ran an obit about a third of a page with a 3″ picture, and the NYT wasn’t far behind. With Reynolds death, the LAT obit was a full half page including a 4″ pic of the original group. In both cases, wire service and web coverage was extensive, respectful, and largely accurate.

My point: the MSM has ignored or belittled this seminal and very American group for the last few decades. Now that they’re dying off one by one - some idiots in editorial offices across the country are finally figuring out who this group was and what it did. Too late.

But, ahem -

[i]“Jim sprang fully growed with a Martin in one hand and a glass of Chivas in the other, holding forth on Chaucer (or Jacqueline Susanne) while strumming the Martin with his toes and swilling the Chivas through his ear and singing Jug of Punch with a perfect brogue.[i]

How did you know this? True as it is, you’re a youthful 3 1/2 years my junior…who told????

By: funny man

funny man — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:07:23 +0000

That music always struck a cord in my heart. Sadness and joy at the same time and a belief that this is a great country and we can join together and make it even better. Harry Belafonte once said ‘I don’t sing of how it is but how it should be’. Anyway, sorry to hear about Nick and thanks for the beautiful post.