Earl Scruggs. . . . .R.I.P.

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 28 Mar 2012 3:39 pm

Father of the 5 string Banjo EARL SCRUGGS has passed away. He was 88 years of age.

Jan 6, 1924 - Mar 28, 2012

. . .

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 28 Mar 2012 3:47 pm

Here's a early video of ole Earl pickin a little bit of the Fireball Mail. . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pWnZFrdQFE

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 28 Mar 2012 4:06 pm

That's such a shame. One of the true innovators on his instrument. I'm glad I got to see him perform several times during my life.
http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2012 ... at-age-88/

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 28 Mar 2012 4:35 pm

A true icon of American music. When Earl burst on the scene, his style was already fully developed, his flawless driving three finger roll, his back up techniques, all the things that are standard fare for players today. I was fotunate to see him play many times and get to talk with him. A completely unassuming person. He got to do what most of would desire, that is play right up to the end. Rest in peace. Thanks for the great music.

Adair Torres · Post by **Adair Torres** » 28 Mar 2012 4:57 pm

R.I.P. MASTER

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 28 Mar 2012 5:25 pm

RIP Earl, thanks for the memories.

Larry Chung · Post by **Larry Chung** » 28 Mar 2012 6:43 pm

Thank you, Earl Scruggs, for inspiring each and every 5-string banjo player out there, including little ol' me. There is no way I can possibly express my gratitude for the countless hours of pickin' and grinnin' that you, your banjo, your guitar, and your artistry have brought to my musical life. Rest in peace, and pick a few in G# for all of us.

LC

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 28 Mar 2012 6:50 pm

I was driving by the Palimino one night in the mid 70's when Earls name was on the Marquee. I stopped in to see him and the band. They were very good of course.

It was a double treat because Bob Dylan was sitting across the bar from me, although he didn't play. At break time he went in the back room with them, and I left.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 28 Mar 2012 7:15 pm

There is no way to overestimate his impact, he will always stand out as one of the true great originators in American music. I still remember the first time, as a kid, I heard Earl playing - late 50s, WGBH in Boston, on a Sunday afternoon 'folk music' show - it just floored me. Often imitated, never duplicated. RIP, Earl.

David Graves · Post by **David Graves** » 28 Mar 2012 7:27 pm

I have always had the greatest respect and admired Earl. I, like many banjo players, learned from the great book "5 String Banjo = by Earl Scruggs" and I have many trophies and plaques from banjo contest to prove that the book works. I got to meet Earl many times at bluegrass festivals and just a couple of years ago at Merlefest in Wilksboro NC. He was always such a gentleman and never met a stranger. He didn't treat you like a "fan" but treated you like a "friend" no matter if he knew you or not. A true example of how this music business should be done. Thank you Earl...

Ned McIntosh · Post by **Ned McIntosh** » 28 Mar 2012 11:13 pm

I posted this on the Banjo Hangout forum:-

We have lost another of the Great Masters and in doing so we are reminded that this is the fate of all men.

I'm primarily a pedal-steel player, and I have yet to come to terms with losing the greats who pioneered that instrument and gave it its modern sound, feel and emotion. So it is with an equal amount of sadness, respect and a profound sense of loss that I learned of the passing of one of the banjo's greatest exponents.

Before Earl Scruggs the banjo was just another instrument in hillbilly bands. After Earl it was the instrument which made Bluegrass special if not downright unique. In Earl's hands the banjo growled, crackled, clattered, clanged, twanged, popped and rang with a cascade of perfectly-picked and placed notes. Monroe may have defined the genre, but Earl Scruggs gave Bluegrass the sound that made it stand out like a lighthouse in the vast ocean of country music. What would 5-string banjo have been if there was no Earl Scruggs?

Thank you, Earl, for being such a talent, such an example of what humility and skill and dedication can achieve. Thank you for giving us a style that was so unique and distinctive it was named after you. Thank you for being amongst us, inspiring us and entertaining us. By your works will we remember you and we have been blessed by your presence. RIP.

Morgan Scoggins · Post by **Morgan Scoggins** » 29 Mar 2012 3:26 am

What a great man and he left a great legacy. I would guess that The Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt Bluegrass Band is still considered the best Bluegrass band ever.
I was heavily involved in Bluegrass mucic back in the 70's and often got to see Lester and Earl perform before their breakup. They always "Stold the show" or so to speak.
One thing that remains true to this day about Earl's legacy; In the past 60 yeras or so, virtually every single person who has taken up the five string banjo has tried to play the Scruggs three finger style of picking.The notable exception being Bella Fleck.

robert kramer · Post by **robert kramer** » 29 Mar 2012 3:56 am

New York Times obituary for Earl Scruggs:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/29/arts/ ... 88.html?hp

At an 80th birthday party for Mr. Scruggs in 2004, the country singer Porter Wagoner said, “Earl was to the five-string banjo what Babe Ruth was to baseball.”

“He is the best there ever was,” Mr. Wagoner said, “and the best there ever will be.”

Zachary Walters · Post by **Zachary Walters** » 29 Mar 2012 5:24 am

Flatt and Scruggs' songs were arguably the first traditional American music I ever listened to, after I found out they performed the Beverly Hillbillies theme when I was a kid. I went right out to the record store and bought 'Foggy Mountain Jamboree.' Earl Scruggs was a titan. His banjo is unforgettable, and so I'll always remember Earl as the very tip of the impression made on me by the wonderful bluegrass music heritage of our U.S. of A.
Zach W.

Tony Farr · Post by **Tony Farr** » 29 Mar 2012 5:25 am

Back in the mid 90's 95 or 96 for one season me and my wife cut Earl's grass, when he lived here in Madison on Diane St.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 29 Mar 2012 7:08 am

He was a great influence on a whole generation, and one of my heroes.

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 29 Mar 2012 7:21 am

Thank you Earl for showing Josh Graves how to apply three finger style to the Dobro

.

hp

Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 29 Mar 2012 7:23 am

Morgan Scoggins

One thing that remains true to this day about Earl's legacy; In the past 60 yeras or so, virtually every single person who has taken up the five string banjo has tried to play the Scruggs three finger style of picking.The notable exception being Bella Fleck.

Actually Bela Fleck's first influence was indeed Earl Scruggs. He has said the it was The Beverly Hillbillies show that got him interested in the first place. Bela has taken banjo to a new dimension but every time I've seen him he always plays some "Earl" in there somewhere.
I don't know of any one else who has impacted one instrument more than Earl Scruggs has on the banjo. An amazing legacy.
RIP Earl

robert kramer · Post by **robert kramer** » 29 Mar 2012 7:57 am

A public service for Earl Scruggs is scheduled for Sunday, April 1st at 2PM at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN.

robert kramer · Post by **robert kramer** » 29 Mar 2012 8:09 am

1/17/12 New Yorker magazine article on Earl Scruggs by Steve Martin:

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/c ... eve-martin

Michael Strauss · Post by **Michael Strauss** » 29 Mar 2012 8:36 am

Very sad day, another one of the greats is gone. My prayers to his family.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 29 Mar 2012 8:42 am

He had a good long life and lived to watch several generations embrace and expand his legacy. A musical giant and a kind soul. Goodbye, Earl.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKv-m0q1S9U

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 29 Mar 2012 9:12 am

Great inspiration to so many, just a great Musician and probably the best banjo player to every pick a banjo!

He will be missed by everyone and I would like to offer prayers for his family and friends.

I loved his music and I own his greatest hits released on his 8oth birthday. Awesome, awesome banjoist.

GOD bless his love ones!

Terry Wood

Jimmy Youngblood · Post by **Jimmy Youngblood** » 29 Mar 2012 3:47 pm

http://realguide.real.com/r/hurl_.html? ... eakdown.rm

Lee Barber · Post by **Lee Barber** » 29 Mar 2012 7:16 pm

What a lose for the music world and the world itself!
So sad! I'll always remember the Beverly Hill Billy's with flaatt and Scruggs.