Clearwater marks the passing of legendary musician and Clearwater friend, Richie Havens. He charmed us all with his talent, his humor, and his kindness. Recently, several Clearwater friends and musicians shared their personal impressions of him as an artist, a person, and as a friend.
There are some people that grew me up and planted me on the earth. Bernice Johnson Reagon, June Millington, Nona Hendryx, Pete and Toshi Seeger, to name a few. I am blessed the list is long. I have had so many great teachers that I know it is my duty to pass along what I know that might be helpful to those coming up and to allow myself to be shaped by their energy and ideas. Richie Havens has to be one of the most spectacular and kind people that ever walked the earth. I am so sad to hear that he has moved on. His incredible voice weather he was talking or singing. That he would look at you with loving eyes- and was available. His incredible beauty. He moved with so much strength. He was a Bird flying on the ground. Huge hands that did things with guitar -that no one else can do because you don’t have his hands. A man that would always hold me and invite me into his world is gone and there no one else. I love you- and I know you are among the stars in the sky. Thank you for teaching me the real work of an artist. Thank you for telling me so many stories that mattered.
— Toshi Reagon
Richie and I met for the first time at a jam session in NYC at painter Ann Steinbacher’s studio in 1963. I had never seen or heard anyone play the guitar or sing like him and we had a great time playing together until the wee hours before even saying hello. Over the years, it continued to be a joy every time to be with him as well as to make music together. He was gracious and considerate of anyone and everyone who crossed his path. It is always a joy to think about him and feel that great spirit of Richie, which is still here! We will all surely miss him!!
— David Amram
VIDEO: David Amram, Clearwater friend and world-renowned musician, stopped by the Clearwater offices recently to share his memory about friend and fellow musician, Richie Havens.
“Dear and Loving Friend …Richie Havens, Rest In Peace
FREEDOM!!!
Love you always
— Mavis (Staples)”
Richie Havens was unique & brilliant as a singer, guitar player, and human being. As a public figure he was well known to be socially conscious. Privately he was a warm and loving mensch. That is, he was the kind of person we want our children to be. Many of us will miss him as we would miss the moon & stars.
— David Bromberg
Photo by Econosmith
Richie Havens and I were in the same Folk Music Class of the 1960s. I knew him first from Greenwich Village, in New York City, where he and I would meet at the great folk clubs of that decade. He blew my mind with his beautiful voice, his great energy, and his amazing writing. I loved to hear him sing and talk in that gentle, quiet voice of his and in those wildly frantic times, with the Vietnam war raging and the social upheaval all around us, Richie was always a gentle force with that powerful singing and those stomping feet when he sang Freedom! After his three hour set at Woodstock, everyone knew at last who he was, and all felt inspired to go on, to do our work, to stay focused on the best in ourselves and hope for the world. He and I performed at President Clinton’s Inauguration in 1993 and sang at many festivals and concerts together, so I got to know him well. The last concert we appeared at together was in Orlando, Florida, for AARP (singing for our peers) – sadly it was to be his last public performance. The line-up was he and I and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Richie always said when he and I started out in the early Sixties, that we sang to people of our own age, and that as the years went by we sang to people of all ages and my oh my, he was right! He had a bright light that shone on the world, and he will be sorely missed. But he saw it all, the great years of social change, the civil rights movement, and its journey all the way to the presidency of Barack Obama. Richie was an inspiration and his music and his spirit will never die.
— Judy Collins
I’ve never met a nicer person (singer or otherwise), and I have never met a faster right hand. I will always remember our joyful 10 countries in 26 days tour of Europe and your usual magnificent self. I miss you.
— Josh White Jr.
When I sing and flail on my strings, it sounds like I’m choking and my guitar is being burned … But when Richie sang and played, his voice and guitar sounded like sweet cream.
— Guy Davis
We lost a friend and a great great musician when Richie Havens left us. I have shared many a benefit stage with him over the years. And always was blown away by his humility, musicianship and that truly one of a kind voice.
— Tom Chapin
