Beloved Vermont multi-instrumentalist and banjo virtuoso Gordon Stone will be celebrated on Thursday, July 30th with a memorial service stream billed as “Touch & Go.” The donation-based memorial will feature words and performances by Stone’s admirers and collaborators including Mike Gordon (Phish), Al Schnier (moe.), Scott Murawski (Max Creek, Mike Gordon), Twiddle, Russ Lawton (Trey Anastasio Band), Tony Trischka, Larry Keel, Pappy Biondo (Cabinet), Michael Daves, Todd Stoops (RAQ), and more.
In addition to the memorial service, Stone’s legacy will be honored on Thursday, July 30th with the release of a new album, The Music of Gordon Stone: A Retrospective Anthology, via Astrology Days Records, a label started by Stone’s friend and banjo protégé, Pappy Biondo, and John Morgan Kimock. The anthology was originally scheduled to come out on the day of Stone’s passing, Friday, July 10th. Digital downloads and vinyl pressings will be available on Bandcamp. A portion of the proceeds from the album release and memorial service will be donated to Backline, the music industry’s mental health and wellness resource hub.
As Phish’s Phish’s Trey Anastasio wrote on social media upon hearing the news of Stone’s passing, “Heartbroken to hear of the passing of Vermont legend Gordon Stone. Gordon was a kind, gentle soul and an elegant musician. Phish had the honor of having him join us onstage a few times in the early 90s. Gordon’s band played The Clifford Ball, The Great Went and Lemonwheel festivals (with future TAB member Russ Lawton on drums). My favorite memory of Gordon will always be watching him record his haunting steel part on the studio version of Fast Enough for You.”
Phish’s Mike Gordon also remembered Gordon Stone in a social media post, noting, “I took my first banjo lessons from [Gordon Stone], and pedal steel, too. He was in my first solo band, The Drop Caps, with [Scott Murawski] and Greg DeGuglielmo, for a show, and on my Inside In album and first solo tour. Twelve years ago when Sue and I got married it was the sound of his pedal steel before and after the ceremony. He was a long time friend and mentor. I will miss you, Gordon!”
moe.’s Vinnie Amico also commented, “I had the pleasure of playing with Gordon quite a bit. We played in the Transamericans together. Gordon was a pioneer of the jam scene, exploring music and melding genres before there was such a thing as jam bands. Not only was Gordon a great player but he was a great guy, fun on and off stage. He will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace brother…”
The event will be available to stream for free via FANS as well as on the Live For Live Music Facebook page.
