John Herald, a noted bluegrass musician who recorded with Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt, has died. He was 65.
Herald lived in West Hurley, N.Y., near Woodstock. The artist’s official Web site reports that he died July 19. A cause of death was not given.
“John will be greatly missed by both the music world and his many friends who appreciated his gentle manner and kind heart,” the site says. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
Herald was best known as a guitarist and lead vocalist for the Greenbriar Boys, who were at the forefront of the early 1960s folk scene in Greenwich Village. The band toured with Joan Baez, and Herald’s song “Stewball” was recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary.
“He kept his integrity and his voice, right to the end,” Woodstock historian and musician Ed Sanders said. “John was an artist all the way … He was so skinny. We all thought he’d live forever.”
In an interview with the BBC five years ago, Herald said he was inspired to sing when he met folk musician Pete Seeger at a summer camp in 1954. 
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