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POPULAR FOLK MUSIC TODAY, SPRING 1991

In attempting to write a few words about Dave Guard the thought crosses my mind that I usually don't write about people I don't know, because I don't know them and I usually don't write about people I do know because I do know them. However as is often the case in my life, I will attempt to make contact with someone who might need my help who I have always felt that I knew, or wanted to know. I tried to lend Dave a hand in his hour of need because I felt I had known him and in talking with him I found him to be much as I had expected except for the first class courage and temperament he displayed while he fought the battle for his life.

I found him to stress the word "good" in his remarks as he talked and joked about many subjects. I also thought that it was sad that such a golden boy should find himself in such dire straits at a critical time in his life. I was glad to help under these circumstances especially.

What happened to Dave Guard remained a minor mystery to my generation for thirty years he had remained "at large" until his sickness made the news and completed the circle. The attitude of Dave and his group on the cover of the LP called "At Large" said a lot about the initial mood created by his music. It was laid back but not smug, it was humorous but not pointless, the mood was young and slightly handsome. The instruments hanging over their shoulders were Martin Guitars and a pretty banjo and the guitars sounded wooden and clean with tender harmonies. This was a gentle sound. I found Dave to be a kind and gentle sould with a romantic and almost Elizabethan heart.

Dave said "we were all from Hawaii or the coast of California and we were in love with America, we went looking for it."

-- Don McLean

I got a call from a friend in Florida yesterday telling me the sad news. I feel so low. I had been thinking of Dave every day and focusing on his recovery.

-- Susie Burke

It was most saddening to hear recently of the passing of Dave Guard who had brought so much joy and pleasant memories to so many people. It is unfortunate that I never had the opportunity to meet Dave in person however, I did have the change to talk with him a few times by telephone and I corresponded with him by mail. He really was a true gentleman, friendly, courteous, up beat and most of all exuded an aura of happiness about him even when he was stricken ill.

I don't know for sure if Dave realized how very much he has meant to a lot of people musically over the years. I tried to tell him but I'm sure I cam up short. How could you tell Dave Guard how much he really means to you. He has been a musical hero to so many for so long. Growing up as kids thousands of people think back to the days of the Kingston Trio and remember how musically wonderful those days were. Nick, Bob, Dave and John made our lives to much more pleasant, so much more fun, and in many ways so much more meaningful. I will never forget that or them.

Although Dave guard has gone from us in body he will never leave us in spirit. He was an extremely brave man toward the end and he never lost hope. He was always positive and never never gave up. Again being worthy of a hero status. Certainly one of mine!

I say please Nick, Bob, John, George, and others, don't ever forget this man. What he has done, and the impact he has had on so many lives for so long.

Hero. Idol. Mentor. Legend. What label fits best? Maybe all of them, maybe none. Whatever, Dave Guard was never down and out, he was always Up & In! Like so many others I will greatly miss him.

-- Don Stearns

I loved your intelligence. I loved your sardonic humor and clipped delivery... both on and off the stage. The way you sometimes made up words when we talked; your "jazzy" rap. The energy and caring you put into everything you did. When my trio, "The Travellers" opened at the Purple Onion in 1959 you told us to "make every performance like it's for the Queen of England."

When I heard you were forming a new group (The Whiskeyhill Singers) and needed a bass player, I auditioned. (I'd never played bass in my life but I borrowed one and practiced my ass off for a week.) I guess that was obvious when you heard me play but damn, I wanted so to work with you and be in your aura.

Through my association with the Limeliters in the early 70s is when we really got to know each other and spend some quality time. I remember you giving me your Colour Guitar Kit and how blown away I was with it's originality and exquisite packaging. The packaging alone was an art work. I recall I mounted the fingerboard chart on the wall just for it's beauty.

From you music to your exotic Los Altos greenhouse plants you were a true connoisseur and man of taste. Everything about you and your world reflected that (i.e., the picture of you and the two bimbos (adoring fans)).

I loved your stories: About the time Gene Autry visited Leadbelly in prison and Leadbelly sang him, "When I was just a cowboy out on the western plains,) and told Gene he'd written it for him. And the pride in your voice when telling me how when the Beatles first came to the U.S., Bob Shane rented a limo, conned his way into the backstage area, introduced himself, and John and Paul serenaded him for half-an-hour with old Kingston Trio songs.

Dave, you were my mentor and inspiration... bigger than life and a cut above. If you went where I know you went and you're playing a harp, I'll bet your is the one with the unusual tuning. I'm so proud to have known you, My Friend.

-- Byron Walls

My relationship with Dave was both personal and professional Obviously his early work influenced all of us who started in the early 60s He had one of the best abilities to pick out new writers and new songs that would later become very popular. He was a real one-of-a-kind. Dave had a totally unique, one-of-a-kind talent. He just had a different slant on things. He heard and saw things that slipped by other people because we were trying to relate everything to what was going on then, instead of just emotionally picking out what worked. I loved him and we're going to miss him. His spirit will always be with us.

-- Mike Settle