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'Daydream Believer' Songwriter Dies

AP
Posted: 2008-01-20 12:58:44
SAN DIEGO (Jan. 20) - John Stewart, who wrote the Monkees' hit "Daydream Believer" and became a well-known figure in the 1960s folk music revival as a member of The Kingston Trio, has died, according to the band's Web site. He was 68.

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John Stewart, Jan. 200, 2008: He recorded 13 albums as a member of The Kingston Trio, but his biggest success was 'Daydream Believer,' a song he wrote but didn't record. It was a No. 1 hit for The Monkees in 1967 and went to No. 12 for Anne Murray in 1980. Stewart died a day after suffering either a massive stroke or brain aneurysm.

Stewart suffered a massive stroke or brain aneurysm and died early Saturday at a San Diego hospital, the band announced on its official Web site.

"The world has lost one of its best men, but a man who lived well and made many people happy with his love, his wit and his music," the announcement said.

Stewart joined The Kingston Trio in 1961, three years after the band released its version of an old folk song, "Tom Dooley," that went on to become a hit. Stewart replaced the band's founder Dave Guard, who had left to pursue a new musical direction.

Stewart spent six years leading the group, during which time the band recorded 13 albums, according to its Web site.

After the trio disbanded in 1967, Stewart went on to an acclaimed solo career that included recording more than 40 albums.

Stewart's wife Buffy and children were at his side when he died, the Web site said. Plans had not been announced for memorial services.

The Monkees' 'Daydream Believer'

On the Net:

Kingston Trio, www.kingstontrio.com

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-01-20 10:23:05
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554 comments

M2Nov 08:20:14 PM Jan 22 2008

another one bites the dust! we lost suzanne pleshette, mr stewart, now heath ledger. .........R.I.P. :_(

MaryBrez7 06:22:58 PM Jan 22 2008

Gold IS Gold.. and so were you John, My deepest sympathies to hiis family and loved ones both near and far during this dark moment in their lives...

MaryBrez7 06:21:05 PM Jan 22 2008

Gold IS Gold.. and so was John Stewart, My deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones near and far during this dark moment in their lives..

CKenter838 06:10:06 PM Jan 22 2008

May you rest in peace. I so enjoyed the music that he wrote and performed. We have lost another great talent. May his family always keep him close to their hearts.. meanwhile we can keep listening to his wonderful music he left behind for all of us to enjoy.

Anibethc40 05:37:59 PM Jan 22 2008

Rest in Peace. You will be forever missed, Mr. John Stewart. Many condolences to families of Mr. Stewart.

PullMaFingerQuik 05:31:01 PM Jan 22 2008

The only thing I was familiar with by John Stewart was his album Midnight Wind featuring Gold, with vocal and musical support by Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac. Cool album,great song! RIP Mr.Stewart.

DR SHAZAAM 05:28:23 PM Jan 22 2008

One of America's great musical treasures is gone. He left gifts beyond belief. Don't fail to listen to his music, it is a music as American as Woody Guthries, and as unique.

asg1936 01:22:33 PM Jan 22 2008

I wonder if John Stewart was in The Kingston Trio when the appeared as guests in Blue Tail Fly a 1962, Many Loves Of Dobie Gillis-tv episode, one member had blonde hair another was dark hair

asg1936 01:20:11 PM Jan 22 2008

Jan. 1958 has been said to have been a great year for rock music fans, Leave it To Beaver was in its first season, Ward Cleaver wasnt constantly moralizing while dressed in a business suit and on the radio, jailhouse rock followed by dont and i beg of you by elvis presley, that'll be the day, peggy sue, oh, boy by buddy holly, you send me, i'll come running back to you by sam cooke, whole lotta shaking going on, great balls of fire, breathless by jerry lee lewis, there was also chuck berry, thurston harris, little richard, jimmie f. rodgers, bobby helms, the rays, gene vincent and the blue caps and lots of other legends

BONNIE SWARTLEY 11:46:20 AM Jan 22 2008

love that song!!!

leonardjb 04:12:11 AM Jan 22 2008

I used to sing "July, You're a Woman" to my son Ken and daughter Patti while they were still little tots. They grew up loving John, and both got to meet him. John even stayed at out home in Boxford, MA once when they needed a roof during one of their tours. Its like losing an old frined to us all. Thank you John, for all you have added to our love of music. Do well, Buffy, you were his rock.

Len Biermann and daughter Patti, son Ken and wife Sandy.

ASG1936 11:19:29 PM Jan 21 2008

I have been told Tom Dooley was very popular in Knott's Berry Farm, it was played around the wagon train circle and listened to by folks munching on hot dogs and burgers

KCLoumakis 08:35:40 PM Jan 21 2008

John Stewart-

Thanks for the spirited, soulful and intense journey you and your music created for so many of us. Enjoy your "Ticket to the Stars".

nugelaw 03:22:50 PM Jan 21 2008

He was an amazing and talented artist and songwriter. He traveled with Bobby Kennedy during the '68 presidential primary campaign, entertaining supporters at various campaign rallies. Wrote some great Kingston Trio songs - "Chilly Winds", "Reverend Mr. Black" : the Lovin' Spoonful's last hit, "Never Goin' Back to Nashville" His only hit single as a singer, "Gold", didn't really do him justice. His best solo albums were in the late 60's and early seventies; "California Bloodlines", his first, was probably the best of them all. RIP, John. You'll be missed.

arreguin41 03:19:52 PM Jan 21 2008

listen surgar ! your music will never play ! you are washed up ! go get a real job ! like a cashiers at fed mart ? it pays minimum ! and you can live on that ? right ? i heard your music , it does not sound very good ! so just stop believing you are an instant hasbeen that never was !

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