IAN TYSON, 89
Mastodon Post

After a spell offline, the very first item of any sort that I saw this (Saturday) morning was a message letting me know that Ian Tyson (1933-2022) has died.

By the mid-1960s, I knew Ian and Sylvia by the group's excellent reputation. Then a couple University of Maine friends played me some of the duo’s music.

A man involved with the group spent some summer time on Swan's Island, Maine, and gave a copy of "Best of Ian and Sylvia" to the management of Morrison's Restaurant. The location is no small thing. Paul Metivier, also known by the pseudonym Paul Roberts, wrote the lyrics for the first certified gold country music hit, of World War II vintage, “There’s a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere.” Metivier’s wife was a native of Swan’s Island, where the two eventually settled and operated a store. Anyway, the Morrison’s Restaurant copy of “Best of Ian and Sylvia” fell into my hands; and I instantly became a very big lifelong Ian and Sylvia fan.

It was my very good fortune to hear two Ian and Sylvia bands. The first was a trio, featuring Ian and David Rae on amplified acoustic guitars playing busy double leads. There was never a finer folk power trio. It was a music listening experience beyond belief. The second time featured the most legendary Ian and Sylvia band of them all, the Great Speckled Bird. I lucked out big time!

Ian and Sylvia each were types of heroes to me. I am totally devastated and heartbroken over this news of the death of Ian Tyson. It is like losing a brother. May Ian rest in peace.

Stars in the night like salt on black velvet
The beaches for dreaming of how it could be.....

#bobmiller #davidrae #ettamorrison #ettabuswellmorrison #fourstrongwinds #greatspeckledbird #ianandsylvia #ian&sylvia #iantyson #merticmorrison #morrisonsrestaurantonswansislandmaine #paulmetivier #paulroberts #salmoninthesea #singersongwriter #sylviafricker #sylviatyson #swansislandmaine #theresastarspangledbannerwavingsomewhere #universityofmaineclassof1970

:::