Bill Monroe, 1911-1996

Bill Monroe with Rick Scaggs,
Summer NAMM 1995

Bill Monroe, 1911-1996
Bluegrass music, for the first time in its history, will have to go forward without Bill Monroe.
The Father of Bluegrass died today at the Northcrest Home and Hospice in Springfield, Tennessee, having never fully recovered from a stroke suffered in April.
We at Gibson are deeply saddened to lose one of the most admired and influential musicians of this century, as well as a dear friend.
Without Bill Monroe, a large part of Gibson's heritage would be empty. From the very birth of bluegrass -- Bill's debut on the Grand Ole Opry on October 28, 1939 -- Gibson instruments have played prominent roles in the growth and evolution of Bill's music.
Without Bill Monroe, the Gibson F-5 model mandolin and its creator Lloyd Loar might have become obscure footnotes in history instead of inspirations of legend and mystique.
Without Bill Monroe, the mandolin itself might have become an archaic curiosity instead of the vital, respected instrument it is today.
Without Bill Monroe, we would never have experienced the excitement of bluegrass music, the thrill of musicians playing faster, singing higher and touching us with more emotion than any other kind of music.
The high, lonesome sound of bluegrass music will be especially lonesome now, without Bill Monroe.

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