Search - Mark Spoelstra :: Five & Twenty Questions

He Was Among The Very Best!

D. Reinstein | Fairfax, CA USA | 01/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have often wondered what became of Mark. Buying this recently released reissue of the old LP I had in the 60's reminds me - as it will you - of an era and a sound; of a man who was a close friend of Richard Farina and was much admired by Bob Dylan. His voice and 12-string playing are hypnotic, the lyrics significant and the overall impact of the music is - well - to cause us to miss him and all that he had to offer. "White Wing Dove" has been a favorite tune of mine for over 40 years - so nice to hear it again from Mark's own voice!



A SAD ADDENDUM: Mark died on or just prior to 2/26/07 at his home of pancreatic cancer.

I didn't write this obit myself. I recently discovered that he had died, and am posting the touching obit written by his son, Joshua, here. Those of you who recall Mark and his smooth 12-string style will feel perhaps a moment of loss. An early boyfriend of Joan Baez, a contemporary of Bob Dylan in NYC and a friend to both Mimi and Richard Farina. It is followed by a note sent by Joshua to family and friends explaining what happened.

Mark has written his final lyric. Heaven's gain - our loss.



Here it is:

Date: 26 Feb 07 - 01:29 PM



From Mark Spoelstra's son Joshua:



Dear Friends,



Today my father passed away here in his lovely but modest home in the Sierra Foothills of California. There was snow on the ground and we could see the trees which surround the house like sentinels sway with the force of another approaching storm. We held him as he left us and I know he had no fear and felt no pain, and even though his life was cut short he found the strength to remind each of us that he loved us. I will miss him greatly.



Regretfully,



Joshua Spoelstra



I apologize to any and all who would have liked to know but were not notified as to the worsening state of my fathers health, I was only able to notify a few of you last week with the following note:



I am writing to you on my father's behalf he has become gravely ill and because of this he has been admitted to the Hospital. Soon we will be ringing him home for Hospice care. What we thought was back pain from years of guitar playing and driving was misdiagnosed and the cancer spread from his pancreas to his liver and lungs, it has moved very rapidly.

This disease has affected so many people that we have known and loved over the years and we are humbled by their shared pain and suffering. As our family comes together over our father's illness we find him constantly in our hearts, remembrances and prayers just as we hope Mark will be in yours in the coming days.



Warmest Regards,



Joshua Spoelstra"

Ground-Zero Spoelstra

J. Adams | Lemoore, CA United States | 11/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here is Mark at his "Moment on the Road to Damascus". I was in Fresno, CA when he pulled this music from his "Socially-conscious Well" and time has shown that this core sample of musically -invested poetry does indeed still "float" !



Never-mind that he is a friend...and that I still can sing some of these creations today w/o apologies...

all of us who love Mark & his music agree: this a definitive album, from the heart of the era, and essentially fresher than a Starbucks' drive-thru. Honest to a fault, and probably improved by the digital re-mastering.



If you like 12-string guitar, and want to know what the world looked like to a veteran "Folkie" of that day, hold this effort up to the sky, where Mark's co-horts, Dylan, Ochs & Farina flew their kites... the glitter is all about where it hits yore inner-ear. Pure 1965, by the guy who later found himself on the soundtrack of "Electroglide in Blue", inspired by country radio, playing in his Fresno home.



(Mark anticipated America's roots in county music via these "Electroglide" tunes on a Columbia album, titled "Grizzly Flat) Those "Five & Twenty Questions" got asked recently by America's Voting Public, and "That's US, folks !"



Know that Mark is still alive & well, making even more music at this moment ! A Pioneer of Honesty & Style."