Remembering John Stewart

Stacey Becker Thu, Apr 17, 2008 at 10:01 PM EST

To Cathy V; you havent lost your youth. If you can have that PHX concert in your heart and mind, you will always be young! I used to go to that place at least 2 times per month from between70 and and 75 and even every performance I ever saw, nothing tugged at my heart as did John

Stacey Becker Thu, Apr 17, 2008 at 10:00 PM EST

To Cathy V; you havent lost your youth. If you can have that PHX concert in your heart and mind, you will always be young! I used to go to that place at least 2 times per month from between70 and and 75 and even every performance I ever saw, nothing tugged at my heart as did John

Stacey Becker Thu, Apr 17, 2008 at 09:50 PM EST

Iwas @ the theatre in round,his song about the blind man racing his horse again is my favorite-they dont play it on the radio-LUV and LUCK

Stacey Becker Thu, Apr 17, 2008 at 09:50 PM EST

Iwas @ the theatre in round,his song about the blind man racing his horse again is my favorite-they dont play it on the radio-LUV and LUCK

scottartist Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 11:55 AM EST

Any confusion with Neil Diamond may come from the fact that two of the Monkees' biggest hits had 'Believer' in the title, and Diamond wrote the other: "I'm a Believer." Stewart continued to include "Daydream Believer" in his act, getting the audience to sing along, and using the correct line: "Now you know how funky I can be." Funky had a different connotation in the song, more along the lines of 'down to earth'. Either way, Screen Gems wouldn't let Davy Jones sing it that way and substituted 'happy'. A few years ago, I saw Peter Tork in concert, and he sang the song with 'funky'. I spoke to him after the show and mentioned it. He said it was the first time he had done that, and it was just an impulse, but yes, he remembered the incident with the switch. In the end, John Stewart was, truly, down to earth. I saw him live many times, and you never got the same show twice. He had so many songs to choose from, and every time he sang them, they were as real as when he wrote them.

Cathy V. Tue, Jan 29, 2008 at 10:40 AM EST

I had the privilege of attending a John Stewart concert in Phoenix in 1975 in a theatre in the round(when I was a student in Tucson at the U of A). He was really big in Arizona then--we considered him our own. The concert was so much fun--he was incredible on stage--sexy, funny, and a fantastic performer.I then bought the album "The Phoenix Concerts" which was recorded over three consecutive nights at Phoenix Symphony Hall. I recently re-acquainted myself with John's music and managed to purchase the CD online (it's hard to find). It is by far his best album---with the fantastic ambience of him performing LIVE! I listen to his music now, with nostalgia and sadness--How can merciless time have ravaged such a beautiful, talented, gifted, young and vital person, which is how I will always remember him, --I feel my youth is really gone with the passing of John Stewart. Even though he didn't receive the national recognition he deserved--he was appreciated deeply by so many fans here and in Europe. That means more than commercial success.He will be missed.

dar Sun, Jan 27, 2008 at 08:46 PM EST

what can i say about john stewart - if ever there was a songwriter who had the gift of telling stories through song, he in my opinion was one of the best...and one of the best melody makers. so many of his songs caught listener's attention immediately as they got swept into the musical portraits he created, many relating to American cities and landscapes, songs of ordinary people working 9 to 5 - songs about social issues, Songs that go far, far, beyond tales of lost love and heartbreak. Fortunately, we have recorded music that he left us - and i hope that all those who have never a j.s. song (other than Daydream Believer and Gold) might take the time to get to know this extra-ordinary singer/songwriter/peforming artist. Although he has passed on, his voice and music can still be heard. Finally, thanks to my friend Mitch who was the very first person to introduce me to the music of J.S.

dar Sun, Jan 27, 2008 at 08:46 PM EST

what can i say about john stewart - if ever there was a songwriter who had the gift of telling stories through song, he in my opinion was one of the best...and one of the best melody makers. so many of his songs caught listener's attention immediately as they got swept into the musical portraits he created, many relating to American cities and landscapes, songs of ordinary people working 9 to 5 - songs about social issues, Songs that go far, far, beyond tales of lost love and heartbreak. Fortunately, we have recorded music that he left us - and i hope that all those who have never a j.s. song (other than Daydream Believer and Gold) might take the time to get to know this extra-ordinary singer/songwriter/peforming artist. Although he has passed on, his voice and music can still be heard. Finally, thanks to my friend Mitch who was the very first person to introduce me to the music of J.S.

Laurie Wed, Jan 23, 2008 at 04:02 PM EST

He looks like Christian Bale in the pic. I was worried.

Jane Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 04:46 PM EST

What a shame. My dad is a huge Kingston Trio fan, and I saw them in concert more than once as a child. May he rest in peace.

"Frank and Jessie James were a product of their environment. Sent out into the woods by their parents to forage for berries, truffles, rutabegas - roots of all sorts. Put yourself in their shoes - you'da been mean too."
-"Jesse James," The Kingston Trio

Mike Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 04:28 PM EST

I loved the song "Gold". I was disappointed more of Stewarts music didn't hit the radio. I agree with ns, it was nice to hear a rock song on the radio after months of nothing but disco. And pretty tacky, Ben.

Ben Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 02:29 PM EST

Too bad. The wrong Jon Stewart passed.

ns Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 02:16 PM EST

Jeeves, I don't think Stevie Nicks got billing on "Gold", but I would agree she (and Buckingham's solo) were elements in the song's success. I have fond memories of "Gold", as it was part of the summer of 1979 which marked the beginning of the end of the disco reign of terror.

jeeves Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 01:36 PM EST

Gold was not really a solo hit. I'm pretty sure the record said John Stewart AND Stevie Nicks. And while it was a good song, it never would have been a hit without Stevie. Too bad. Who thinks Neil Diamond wrote Dayream Believer? That's the first time I'm hearing that. You must be confusing it with a song he actually wrote that the Monkee's did!

Stephanie T. Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 01:21 PM EST

You know, my dad tends to deny that he likes rock but if he listens to certian singers/songwriters, he'll turn the car radio up. John Stewart was no exception. On Sunday we were driving down Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn. As we heard the last few bars on "Gold", one of the CBS FM DJ's said that John Stewart had passed, then the jockey cut to Stewarts actual trademark song "Daydream Believer" by the Monkees. If you were a person who grew up in the sixties like my dad, you'd know that John Stewart not Neil Diamond wrote the song. Anyway my dad cranked up the song to the max. It goes to show you that nowadays, great singers and songwriters are just really rare. RIP John.

servo Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 12:55 PM EST

Can't tell you how sad I am to hear this. I grew up listening to the Kingston trio and Stewart's solo records, especially "Gold", as my dad was a huge fan. Stewart was a big part of the soundtrack to my childhood and I will miss him greatly.

JMC Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 12:17 PM EST

Whew! No offense, but for a second there, I thought something bad had happened at the Daily Show.