robbif - Posted - 07/01/2018:  06:39:14

Tom Isenhour 

Sad to hear of the passing of another Bluegrass mandolin legend. Dean Webb, formerly of the Dillards (aka The Darling Family) from Salem, MO died yesterday at age 81. Born 3/28/1937 he will forever be known as the innovative mandolin player for the Dillards. He had a style that nobody could copy. I tried my best and couldn't come close. A well known mandolin picker in the 50's around MO, he teamed up with Rodney and Doug Dillard to start a little bluegrass band in 1959. In 1962, Mitch Jayne joined up on bass and the Dillards were on the road (or the truck as they say) to fame and fortune by moving to California. Andy Griffith saw them perform live in a small LA club and wanted them to be on his show for one episode about a family of NC mountain hillbillies that played music. The popular one off in 1963 led to 5 more episodes by 1966. In 1967 the Dillards would be known as the forerunners of a country/folk rock style of bluegrass as the boys plugged in their bluegrass instruments and adding drums. Dean stayed with the band (Doug Dillard left first, then Mitch) until the mid 80's. A few reunion tours in the 90's helped keep their name alive in the bluegrass circles. Rodney Dillard still tours today performing the Dillard's songs. Mitch died in 2010 and Doug a few years later. Dean and I became friends during the reunion tours and we loved talking mandolins. He is survived by his wife Sandy.

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robbif - Posted - 07/01/2018:  06:54:32

Warrenton 1971

Dean, Mitch, Billy Ray, Rodney

Rodney, Mitch, Donna, Dean

Edited by - robbif on 07/01/2018 06:55:46