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KINGSTON KORNER NEWSLETTER
REMEMBERING ROGER
It's not often that I'm at a loss for words, but when it comes to talking about Roger, the words don't come easily. Roger was a fine musician and entertainer, and with his marvelous singing, fine presentation and great sense of humor and wit, he was a vital part of the Trio for 12 years. When he was on stage and putting on a show he could make the audience think he was having the time of his life, and they'd have the time of their lives too. That's what we really miss about him.
In some ways it hasn't sunk in yet that he's gone. Sometimes I still expect him to bounce up on stage, start harmonizing on a song or crack some kind of joke. From having known him so well and having worked so closely with him for so long, whenever something happens that Roger would have said something funny or witty, I can almost hear him saying it. In that way he's still with us.
-- Bob Shane
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I remember Roger Gambill as a gentleman who loved life and loved people. He worked hard and played hard and he made a lot of people happy. He made the most of what he was born with and having accomplished his life's work was duly promoted. His memory burns bright in the hearts of all who came to know him.
-- Dave Guard
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Over the past dozen years the Limeliters and the Kingston Trio crossed paths many times on the road, frequently appearing on the same bill.
Roger Gambill became a true friend and colleague to me during that time. He was a natural-born entertainer— disciplined and consistent — who sang and played guitar very well. A superb raconteur on stage and off, his stories about home town characters were marvelous.
I do not recall ever encountering him in a depression though he was capable of anger, usually inspired by the frictions of travel and the ensemble performance of music as we all are. He could transform frustration into hilarity in the telling.
Roger was earthy, ribald with an infectious joie de vivre that raised my spirits many times. My sympathy goes out to his family especially his wife, Catherine and daughter, Cameron.
Roger Gambill's tragically pre-mature death is very difficult to understand. He is sorely missed.
-- Lou Gottlieb
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Roger stood out. He was and will remain for those of us who knew him a very special person. His ability to make people laugh was excruciating. His warmth and loyalty were soul-satisfying.
He had incredible energy and, to top it all off, was a marvelous musician. He gave something unique to a group that has contained many fine artists over the years. But Roger stood out. He
loved life and lived it. He gave his friends, his family and his au-
The Gambills — Cameron, Catherine & Roger
vacationing in Maine, 1984
Roger at home, relaxing
dience the excellence of his caring, hell -- Roger just stood out. And we are all diminished by his passing.
-- Mary Travers
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I met Roger Gambill the same year he joined Bob Shane as a member of the Kingston Trio. A friendship was formed on that first meeting. A friendship that was to cultivate over the years and come to include his family.
I remember a concert about 10 years ago, during which Roger proudly dedicated a song to his little girl, Cameron, then only about 2 years old.
I fondly recall that in almost every concert, Roger would do a solo, usually a song of love, and sing it to his lovely wife, Catherine.
On stage and off, Roger was always a kind, gentle, loveable character, a friendly and humorous man.
Catherine once said to me "there is not an average bone in that man's body."
Roger often spoke of the Kingston Trio as an evolution. The Trio will continue to evolve; this is what he would have wanted.
However, his passing will make a difference, especially to those who knew and loved him.
As for me, I am thankful to have had him for my friend. Over the past 12 years we exchanged many Christmas cards, phone calls, etc. He gave me many hours of pleasure and entertainment, both on and off stage. Roger was really a wonderful man, a great entertainer. I shall miss him.
-- Larry Crawford, President
Kingston Trio Fan Club
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The first time I met Roger Gambill was at the Trident Restaurant in Sausalito. Bobby Shane had called me and said, "Come down and meet Roger. He wants to meet you." I was a little apprehensive because I'd been away from the Trio awhile and hadn't really gotten my head sorted out and the Trio had sort of been my life, so I walked into the Trident and sat down and we were introduced, and Roger just looked at me and he said, "I'm you!" and I said, "Thank God you are, boy, because you sure look like a sweetheart" He was being sort of humorous and very, very sweet about the whole thing, because it was an uncomfortable situation for both of us. And he broke the ice and we talked about it and it was a very hard job that he had to take over — not that my job was so hard, but having to deal with the public and the comparisons, etc. He had to live that down. And from then on, that was the beginning of a long and close friendship over the years.
He was such a talented and sensitive person. I remember after we did the reunion concert in Los Angeles there was naturally tots of little under-currents and things comparing of the different Trios. It was like
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