“Farewell, Mr. Dave”: A hometown bids goodbye to David Lindley

On Sunday afternoon, May 28, 2023, friends and neighbors gathered at the Folk Music Center in Claremont, California in what felt more like a family reunion to honor the life of one of them: multi-instrumentalist and local resident David Lindley, who died on 3 March.

“It’s so great to hear these stories and memories of David,” said Lindley’s longtime friend and musical collaborator, Jackson Browne. “I’ve rarely seen a room full of people I know or have met before and it’s just so nice to be here with all of you.”

Over 90 guests crammed into the center, which is part museum and part music store, with instruments from around the world lining the walls and vintage Martins safely stored behind glass. Pizza, pastries, cheese and fruit donated by local businesses supporting the event filled the tables while an afternoon breeze from the open door wafted incense across the room.

Between performances by world-famous musicians and others, award-winning singer-songwriter Ben Harper, an open pizza box in hand, sat on folding chairs and offered slices of pizza to guests who probably never expected to be served lunch from a Grammy-winning carton. Winner.

Photo: Kim Hill Smith

Harper seemed right at home. Indeed he was. He was practically raised at the Folk Music Center, which was founded by his grandparents, Charles and Dorothy Chase, some 65 years ago. Lindley, who lived a few blocks from the store, was a family friend and frequent visitor.

“David walked into the store, spotted a beautiful instrument on the wall, pulled it down and began to admire it,” said Harper from the small stage, the Weissenborn slide guitar on his lap. “My grandpa would come over and the two of them would talk and then haggle back and forth over the instrument, sometimes for a day, before Lindley finally bought it.”

Presenting the song “Call It a Loan,” Browne explained that while it was the only song he and Lindley had officially written together, Lindley’s influence on his music went far beyond that tune. “Everything we did together was so much him,” he said. “It was his touch and his expression. And that affected me to such an extent every time we were together that I think almost everything I’ve done with him has been 50-50. I would play something and then David would come and play something brilliant that I couldn’t live without and then we had the record. And that’s how the song would go.”

Among the artists who knew Lindley the longest was Steve Cahill, who began playing with him in 1962 as part of the Mad Mountain Ramblers. The string orchestras performed throughout Southern California, with an extended performance at Disneyland. “There’s something special about being in a room full of people who share a respect and love for someone who has roamed through their lives,” Cahill noted of Sunday’s gathering. “I was happy to be there and contribute to the music of some of David’s friends like Terry Reid, John York, Jackson Browne, Ben Harper and David’s El Rayo-X-Band. I think he was honored in style.”

El Rayo-X wrapped up the evening with Browne and Ben Harper over some chestnuts. “Play with [Lindley]”It was incredible, as everyone up here will attest,” said El Rayo-X guitarist Ray Woodbury. “There were nights I would literally stop playing and watch him because he was so good; it was heartbreaking. But honestly, the only thing that eclipsed his music for me was his generosity.”

El Rayo-X with Jackson and Ben Harper. Photo: Randy Miller

“I can’t say much about Lindley because I would go completely insane if I did,” added El Rayo-X bandmate Bernie Larson. “But I have to say I’ve never heard him say anything negative about anyone. He was a sweet, kind and generous man and I am so blessed to have spent that time with him.”

Ironically, the woman organizing the event and making sure everything ran smoothly behind the scenes didn’t get to see much of the show.

“There was so much preparation that went into this event and I was so busy making sure everything went the way it was supposed to that I missed some of the performances,” said Ellen Harper, the store’s owner and manager – and Ben’s mother. “But I was so glad to hear Jackson play the Warren Zevon song ‘Don’t Let Us Get Sick’.” likes and makes my spirit shine.” When he played that at the sound check, it was so moving.”

Although the event was supposed to end at 7 p.m., it didn’t quite work out that way. “People didn’t want to leave after that,” Ellen said. “They just hung around and kept talking. We had to start cleaning up, but some people stayed and helped us.”

Drummers Wally Ingram and Lindley toured as a duo for years. “We traveled the world for almost a decade. Much of it was in a Toyota pickup. But we never listened to music in the years that we were in the truck. David used to tell me, “Wally, we don’t need any more notes.” They’re all in your head. can’t you hear them It’s like a superball bouncing around an empty Motel 6 room. They’re all fine there.’”

David Lindley may not be around anymore, but he left us thousands of notes that bounced around an empty Motel 6 room like a Superball. And while we may yearn for more, they may be enough.

Mass Photo: Steve Cahill