August 8, 2005
Vassar Clements Health Update
Posted by Larry Karnowski at August 8, 2005 7:45 PMI'm so sad to have to tell you this, but one of my favorite fiddlers, Vassar Clements, will not be with us much longer. It appears that the cancer that's been attacking his body has moved into his brain. At his own request, they've stopped chemotherapy. According to a note on his mailing list, "Vassar has decided to stop any further medical intervention."
God bless you, Vassar. I'm a new convert to your fanbase, but I'm a devoted one. You've expanded the realms of the fiddler more than any man, probably in the last hundred years or more. We appreciate all your hard work, and I'm so sorry I didn't get to see you perform more often. I'll always cherish the times I did get to see you, though, forever.
God bless and keep you.
We are losing an IMMENSE talent, and a link to the very heart of Americana music. I wonder who'll be playing that ancient violin now?
Posted by: Jim Pipkin at August 9, 2005 11:41 AMyou always think these guys will go on forever i first heard vassar way back on a richard betts album highway call and was hoooked. i played fiddle myself at the time but mainly classical and this was a body and mind meld...i got into a whole new set of stuff and never looked back once i was on that countrrry highway. thanx for fab blog will visit again soon.
Posted by: countrygrrl at August 13, 2005 1:17 PM
