Dean Webb (musician)

Last updated
Dean Webb
Birth nameRoy Dean Webb
Born(1937-03-28)March 28, 1937
Independence, Missouri, US
DiedJune 30, 2018(2018-06-30) (aged 81)
GenresBluegrass, rock
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentMandolin
LabelsFlying Fish
Formerly of The Dillards, The Folkswingers, Missouri Boatride
Spouse(s)Jennifer Clark, Erica

Dean Webb was a bluegrass and rock musician who was a member of The Dillards as well as other recording acts.

Contents

Background

Dean Roy Webb was born in Independence, Missouri on March 28, 1937. [1] He grew up in a musical family and as a teenager hearing Bill Monroe's version of Blue Moon of Kentucky had an impact on him. He fell in love with bluegrass music and he got a Gibson A-50 mandolin and then joined his cousins who played bluegrass. [2]

Webb was a member of The Dillards, [3] The Folkswingers, [4] [5] and along with Justin Sifford, Bob Gideon, Larry Sifford, and Dennis Pritchard, he was a member of the bluegrass musical ensemble, Missouri Boatride. [6] [7]

He had a part in the creation of The Byrds' "Tambourine Man. He did a vocal harmony on an early demo version of the song for the benefit of David Crosby. [3]

Webb is considered to be a notable, and prominent figure in the bluegrass genre, [8] [9] [2] [10] and remembered for his playing skills. [11] [8]

Career

Webb along with Mitch Jayne was an original founding of The Dillards in the early 1960s in Salem, Mo. [12]

Webb played on and added backing vocals to Malvina Reynolds self-titled album that was released in 1970. [13]

As a member of The Dillards, he was working on the band's Tribute to an American Duck album which was set to be released in October, 1973. [14]

Webb played on Severin Browne's second album, New Improved that was released in 1974. [15]

His band, The Missouri Boatride was booked to play at the State Theater, in Mound City on Saturday, September 7 and 7pm. [16]

Death

He died on Saturday, June 30, 2018, at age 81.

Legacy

According to Bluegrass Today, Webb with his mandolin playing had an influence on John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin fame and inspired him to play the mandolin. [5] Referred to as a groundbreaking musician, [17] his influence also extends to newgrass and country rock. [8]

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References

  1. Larkin, Colin (1 January 2009). "Dillards". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0-19-531373-4 . Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  2. 1 2 Bluegrass Today, July 2, 2018 - Dean Webb passes By Richard Thompson
  3. 1 2 Richie Unterberger - FROM CHAPTER 3 OF TURN! TURN! TURN!:
    "MR. TAMBOURINE MAN": The year-long journey of folk-rock's defining song, from Bob Dylan's typewriter to the Byrds' hit recording in the studio
  4. Psychedelicized Radio, 19 Mar 2013 - The Folkswingers
  5. 1 2 Bluegrass Break Down, Vol 45 No. 2 August 2018 - A-7 The Dillard's Dean Webb By Richard Thompson
  6. Celebrity Access, 4 July, 2018 - Bluegrass Legend Dean Webb Dies by Joe Reinartz
  7. Mound City News, Vol. 134, No. 9 Thursday • September 5 • 2013 - The Missouri Boatride Bluegrass Band to perform
  8. 1 2 3 Mandolin Cafe, June 10, 2012 - Dean Webb, Mandolin Man Ongoing By Bill Graham
  9. e Bullet - Remembering Dean Webb, Beloved Mandolin Legend of The Dillards and Mayberry's Darlings
  10. The Joplin Globe, 3 July 2018 - Legendary mandolin player Dean Webb dies at 81
  11. HiFi Stereo Review, December, 1964 - Page 67 A SKILLFUL AND ENGAGING BLUEGRASS QUARTET
    The uniquely entertaining Dillards are presented in a varied program of country music
  12. Record World, May 9, 1970 - Page 20 The Versatile Dillards
  13. Discogs - Malvina Reynolds – Malvina Reynolds
  14. Cash Box, September 22, 1973 - Page 19 Dillards To UA
  15. Session Days - 1974 Severin Browne – New Improved
  16. Mound City News, Vol. 134, No. 9 Thursday • September 5 • 2013 - The Missouri Boatride Bluegrass Band to perform
  17. Me TV, July 5, 2018 - R.I.P. Dean Webb, The Darling Boys mandolin player on The Andy Griffith Show