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Erik Darling

TheOldMole Jun 03 2008 09:49 AM

Was drawn to the obituary thread for this, but couldn't put it there. My friend Erik Darling, of the Tarriers and the Rooftop Singers -- and the Weavers, replacing Pete Seeger -- was just diagnosed with a virulent form of cancer leaving him with perhaps no more than days to live. Prayers for him, and some memories. With the Tarriers -- that's Erik on banjo. And you'll recognize his partner on the right, a young Alan Arkin. The Rooftop Singers. The others are Joan Darling and Bill Svanoe. Joan left Erik for Bill, but the three of them remained lifelong close friends. As an actor-director, Joan is maybe best known for directing the Death of Chuckles the Clown episode of the Mary Tyler Moore show. And finally, a recent video from Erik. Warning to those who'd rather not go down this path, this one is highly political. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4pQMMpsQbs

TheOldMole Jun 03 2008 09:59 AM

And a Weavers reunion.

AG/DC Jun 03 2008 10:05 AM

Sorry to hear about your friend.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 03 2008 10:12 AM

Yes. Me too.

Willets Point Jun 03 2008 10:19 AM

Mole, you know the most interesting people. I'll keep Erik Darling in my prayers.

metirish Jun 03 2008 10:26 AM

Bad news , sorry to hear about Erik , I'll check out the vids when I get home.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 03 2008 10:42 AM

Great songs, very sorry to hear.

themetfairy Jun 03 2008 12:20 PM

Was he one of the inspirations for the film A Mighty Wind? I'm sorry to hear of his illness, and sorry for your suffering as well.

sharpie Jun 03 2008 01:12 PM

Sorry about this Mole, I bet he's a great guy.

TheOldMole Jun 03 2008 07:45 PM

Well, his generation of folk singers inspired the movie. He's also on the sound track of the movie "O Brother Where Art Thou," doing the great banjo break on "I'll Fly Away." On the sound track of the movie, but not on the sound track album of the movie, where they inexplicably used another version.

seawolf17 Jun 03 2008 07:51 PM

My best to you and your friend during this difficult time.

MFS62 Jun 03 2008 08:08 PM

Mole, I enjoyed listening to each of the groups you mentioned in your opening post in this thread. I didn't realize your feriend was a common thread in all of those groups. My prayers for someone who brought me so much enjoyment. Later