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Vassar Clements R. I.P.

Welcome to Vassar Clements'
Official Website

AUGUST 16, 2005

Dear Friends,

On August 16th 2005 at 8:35 am Nashville time, the angels in heaven
stopped singing for a moment, as they heard the most beautiful music
approaching from a distance - the high lonesome sound of Vassar
Clements' fiddle.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of this truly wonderful and
beautiful man whose purpose in life on Earth was in spreading love
and happiness to people, both through his music and through his
generosity and light of spirit.
Vassar indeed has touched the lives of so many of us, and we can all
count ourselves as blessed to have been witness to the musical genius
and kind-hearted nature of this great yet humble man.

It is a great testament to a life when those whose paths you crossed
hold you up as an example on how to treat others. Vassar's guestbook
is that testament and shows how incredibly loved and admired Vassar
was on this Earth by both those who knew him personally and those who
knew him only through his music.
I would like to thank Vassar's daughter Midge and son-in-law George
on behalf of all of us that loved Vassar for the great love and care
they have shown him since the passing of his wife Millie just over
seven years ago. Selfless and devoted, they not only took care of
Vassar emotionally and physically, but also jumped in and learned the
music business so Vassar could continue to play for all of us around
the country.

I picture Vassar and Millie in heaven, reunited in the love they
shared that transcends all things, him playing while she dances.

Thank You Vassar - God Bless You.
Rest In Peace.

I first heard him play fiddle on the "Old and in the Way" discs. Subsequently I sought bluegrass out. He was a giant.A
life well lived and a monumental loss.
jsonic
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
The Seattle Times had a brief obit for Vassar Clements in today's issue. Here's the link:
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=clementsobit17&date=20050817&query=Vassar+Clements

The obit mentions that Clements played with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band -- I think that was the great recording they did titled "Will The Circle Be Unbroken", which featured a stellar collection of bluegrass musicians. If you like bluegrass and don't own this recording (re-mastered several years ago), you should add it to your collection.
rfigster
45 posts
 
Find your old Grateful Dead album "Wake of the Flood". Vassar plays on the track Mississippi Half step.
texasdave
144 posts
 
One of the posters to this thread, C123666, mentions hearing Vassar "the year after Garcia died when Grisman reformed the 'Old and In the Way' band with Herb Peterson replacing Garcia on banjo." C123666, could you tell us more about this reformed Old and In the Way band, like who was in it, when was it performing, did it make any records, and how did it compare with the original Old and In the Way group? I've been a huge fan of the original Old and In the Way records for 30 years, and love all 3 CDs resulting from those 1973 concerts. I'm not a bluegrass expert and would be delighted to find out that there is some more similar stuff out there that I didn't know about and can now acquire. Thanks.
pehare's avatar
pehare
639 posts
 
Old & in the Gray, an excellent release after Jerrys' departure. Try Vassars' "Living with the Blues" a 2005 release for something different.

Rest in peace Vassar, we will miss you especially us down upon the Suwannee River...
texasdave
144 posts
 
Thanks for the tip. I ordered "Old and in the Gray" today.
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