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The Spectacle Blog
Bluegrass and country music legend Earl Scruggs passed away yesterday of natural causes. He was 88.
Scruggs developed his own unique style of banjo playing which attracted the attention of Bill Monroe in 1945. It was while in Monroe’s band he met guitarist and mandolin player Lester Flatt. Three years later they went on their own and formed the Foggy Mountain Boys although they were also known simply as Flatt & Scruggs. They were best known for the instrumental “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” and “The Ballad of Jed Clampett” (the theme to The Beverly Hillbillies). They also had interesting takes on songs like The Monkees’ hit “Last Train to Clarksville” and “Nashville Skyline Rag” which was later recorded by Bob Dylan. Flatt & Scruggs went their separate ways in 1969 and formed their own bands. In 1979, Flatt passed away of heart failure shortly before his 65th birthday.
Ten years ago, Scruggs won a Grammy for a recording of “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” which featured Steve Martin, Paul Shaffer, Albert Lee, Travis Tritt, Vince Gill and Marty Stuart. Here they are performing it on The Late Show with David Letterman.
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More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/03/29/earl-scruggs-rip
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albert constantine jr.| 3.29.12 @ 12:30PM
Come and listen to the story by a man named Aaron
Never been shy about all the things he’s sharin’
And then one day at heart’s banjo strings he tugs
And writes up the obit on the late Mr. Scruggs
Earl that is
Back woods
Pickin’ genius
(Foggy Bottom Breakdown)
And now its time to say goodbye to Earl and Mr. Flatt
And we would like to thank them both where ever that they’re at
For pickin’ and a grinning from their hill locality
And bringing blue grass music to the rest of the country
Y’all rest in peace now, ya hear.
SCPOret| 3.29.12 @ 12:35PM
Thank you sir - a very good tribute - Mr. Scruggs will be greatly missed.
W| 3.29.12 @ 2:01PM
Excellent, Albert.
Aaron Goldstein| 3.29.12 @ 4:25PM
Now that is a tribute.
Jack in Wi.| 3.29.12 @ 12:38PM
RIP Earl.
JP| 3.29.12 @ 12:49PM
I never knew his name. But his voice was unmistakble. RIP
Vern Crisler| 3.29.12 @ 1:36PM
As someone who is trying to learn how to play the banjo, I drink a toast to the great Earl Scruggs.
Sparky| 3.29.12 @ 4:02PM
Listening to old Flatt & Scruggs recordings never fails to make me happy.
Occam's Tool| 3.29.12 @ 5:19PM
Superb pickin' boys.
Les| 3.29.12 @ 5:24PM
I remember seeing him once at Porter Wagoner's hillbilly bar near Wrigley Field in the 70s(back when that area was known as Hillbilly Row).