THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 11, 1996 TAG: 9609110046
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUE VANHECKE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 52 lines
A HUGE PIECE of music history died with Bill Monroe on Monday.
Not only did the legendary mandolinist pioneer and popularize the skittering string-band sounds of bluegrass, the cornerstone of country music, but he also was an idol of many of rock 'n' roll's earliest and most influential artists.
One of Elvis Presley's first hits was a revved-up rendition of Monroe's ``Blue Moon of Kentucky'' in 1954. Four years later, Hampton Roads' own rockabilly pioneer Gene Vincent covered Monroe's ``Rocky Road Blues.'' Contemporary country artists from the Kentucky Headhunters to Dwight Yoakam still perform Monroe gems.
From his band - and bluegrass's namesake - the Blue Grass Boys, who formed in 1938, came the stellar banjo of Earl Scruggs and the honky-tonk baritone of Lester Flatt, among countless other country-music notables. For an astounding 46 years, Monroe recorded his high-lonesome tenor and dextrous mandolin for MCA (formerly Decca), and he was still playing more than 100 shows a year up until he suffered a stroke in March. He was also founder of the annual Bean Blossom Festival, the prestigious bluegrass event held in Bean Blossom, Ind.
I met Bill Monroe two years ago backstage before his concert at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. He was a stately man, just a bit intimidating with a craggy face, fierce blue eyes and a halo of silver hair. He had a regal bearing that had his fans, aides and associates - including fellow Opry star Porter Wagoner, who dropped by to say hello - speaking in reverent and adoring tones.
Beyond his mental keenness at age 82, I was struck by his great love for his native Kentucky, which in 1989 made ``Blue Moon of Kentucky'' its official state song (replacing Stephen Foster's ``My Old Kentucky Home''), as well as for his country.
He recounted performing for the past four presidents, straightening up in his chair to tell me, ``Bluegrass means a lot to them. . . . They're so proud of the bluegrass music because it belongs to America. The presidents always tell Bill Monroe that bluegrass belongs to America.''
But what was most memorable about Monroe, who was 84 when he died, was his genuine affection for his fans.
``I'm really proud of treating the people right, the fans,'' he said. ``And they treat me right. It's a good thing to get together and talk and shake hands with each other. They're there for me 100 percent. There's nothing like a good friend.
``To be friends with each other means a lot,'' he said, stroking a silvery, mutton-chop sideburn. ``We know that the good Lord wants us to do it that way, to be friends with each other and help somebody if he needs help. So that's what I stand for.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Associated Press by CNB