Nick Reynolds, guitarist for the Kingston Trio, died in Chula Vista, Calif., on Monday. The Kingston Trio dominated the album charts for a time in the early ’60s–at one point, the group held four slots in the album charts’ top 10–and essentially opened the door for folk music as a commercially viable enterprise with their easygoing versions of traditional songs. The Kingston Trio made a conscious decision to avoid protest songs, which probably gave them a much more successful mainstream career, as the act with Reynolds reunited several times since their heyday for tours and a fantasy camp in Scottsdale, Ariz. As a kid, one of the five mixtapes my father would listen to over and over included the Trio’s take on “Tom Dooley,” with the act’s sweet harmonies telling the story of a murderous husband on his way to execution. While I haven’t spent much time with the band’s music since, I feel like the song prepared me for my appreciation of murder ballads today, and it’s hard to not respect an act with a popular song about spending time in a Tijuana jail. Reynolds was 75. [San Diego Union-Tribune]
Nick Reynolds, R.I.P.
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Their Christmas album is an underrated delight. Still a fave at my family’s house during that time of year (as are them in general, I think my folks have at least ten albums and/or CDs by ‘em).
The Kingston Trio’s music surely popularized folk music in this country like no other act. Check out the compilation entitled Capitol Collector Series for a fine overview of their oeuvre.
The Kingston Trio’s version of “Tom Dooley” is a classic. The group contributed greatly to the popularity of folk music and paved the way for other artists of a similar vein (Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, John Hammond). Sure, people like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger were in the business before the trio - but it was the trio’s mainstream success that really shone on a light on folk music. The group raised awareness for the genre through the mass appeal that they garnered.
It’s impressive to think the group were self-taught on their instruments and managed to work out such tuneful harmonies. They also employed some interesting recording techniques, for the time. They became huge (in the late-1950s and early 1960s) due to their excellent live shows and lively on-stage banter. I don’t think folk was a popular commodity until people caught on to the appeal and talent of The Kingston Trio. Many imitating acts emerged, trying to match their success. I’ve read that 20% of Capitol Records’ profits for the year 1960 came courtesy of the trio. That’s big. Yet, as trends go, the group became old news when the British Invasion and rock ‘n’ roll took over.
I’m aware that some people don’t have much regard for The Kingston Trio and their popular version of folk music - but their impact will (and deservedly should) stand forever in the musical history books. Dig out one of their many great live albums and give a nod to Nick Reynolds and the boys!