A sad passing in the world of music, as Phoebe Snow, best known for her 1975 hit “Poetry Man,” has died of complications from a brain hemorrhage at the young age of 58.
Though her talent was widely praised, the singer, songwriter and Grammy nominee essentially put her solo career on hold to care for her daughter, Vicki, who was born with brain damage in 1975 and who passed away in 2007.
Snow’s other big hit was “Gone at Last,” which she recorded with Paul Simon. In addition to Simon, over the years, she worked with artists ranging from Billy Joe, Queen, Cyndi Lauper and Bonnie Raitt, to Linda Ronstadt, Michael Bolton, Jackson Browne, and Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen, with whom she toured. Snow’s voice could also be heard on the theme for the NBC series A Different World, and on the “Celebrate the moments of your life” jingle for General Foods International Coffees.
Source: ABC ePrep
Thank you so much for playing Poetry Man. Sweet voice. RIP
What a loss. She always had the soul in her voice and sang about those private pains we all have.
We are fortunate to have had her while we did and she was a gem.
Annette
I always wondered what happened to her did’nt know about her daughter, the 70s are a haze. The one thing I do know is Phobe Snow had a one of a kind voice, so sweet and jazy.
I have fond memories of this album playing in the background on what used to be called the HiFi. My mother in the kitchen harmonizing to to songs like “Harpo’s Blues’ & Poetry Man”. Me 5yrs old at the time sitting on the floor gazing at the beautiful album cover wondering how her hair could be so cloud like. lol.
As an adult now I am great-full to WTTS for opening this door into my childhood and due to the playing of Poetry Man yesterday. It sparked a much needed call to my mother and a trip back for her as well.
**On a technical note this album was masterfully Produced and Mixed by the great Phil Ramone. Also the genius behind Paul Simon’s “Still Crazy After All These Years” Amongst many other masterpieces.
Godspeed to a true blues/folk soul…
one of those great songs you reconize after the first few notes of the guitar.
Gone at Last….
The old hippie shed a small tear.