Musician, Songwriter. His father left the family when he was very young, and he was raised by his mother. His musical career began in San Francisco. He was a self-taught musician, and his first instrument was the guitar. He became a more accomplished stand-up bass player. He played as a sideman in many jazz bands early in his career, and he was very active in the 1960s civil rights movement. He was playing in a band led by Woody Herman, when he learned that Peter, Paul, and Mary were looking for a bassist. He was hired by them in 1964, and continued with them until they broke up at the end of the 1960s. He then became an original member of John Denver's band from 1970 to 1978. He co-wrote Denver's hit, "Sunshine On My Shoulders". In 1978, when Peter, Paul, and Mary reunited, he then rejoined the trio, and remained with them until Mary's death in 2009.
Musician, Songwriter. His father left the family when he was very young, and he was raised by his mother. His musical career began in San Francisco. He was a self-taught musician, and his first instrument was the guitar. He became a more accomplished stand-up bass player. He played as a sideman in many jazz bands early in his career, and he was very active in the 1960s civil rights movement. He was playing in a band led by Woody Herman, when he learned that Peter, Paul, and Mary were looking for a bassist. He was hired by them in 1964, and continued with them until they broke up at the end of the 1960s. He then became an original member of John Denver's band from 1970 to 1978. He co-wrote Denver's hit, "Sunshine On My Shoulders". In 1978, when Peter, Paul, and Mary reunited, he then rejoined the trio, and remained with them until Mary's death in 2009.
Bio by: KATHY
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