R.I.P. Earl Scruggs

[Snowboarder_Bo]

One of the greatest banjo players of all time passed away today. Earl Scruggs was 88.
[

Earl Scruggs was an innovator who pioneered the modern banjo sound. His use of three fingers rather than the clawhammer style elevated the banjo from a part of the rhythm section - or a comedian’s prop - to a lead instrument.

His string-bending and lead runs became known worldwide as “the Scruggs picking style” and the versatility it allowed has helped popularize the banjo in almost every genre of music.

](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBIT_EARL_SCRUGGS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-03-28-20-36-17)

Here he is performing his best known song, Foggy Mountain Breakdown with his partner Lester Flatt (the guy playing guitar on Earl’s left) at the Grand Ole Opry in 1965.

The guy was a true innovator and a class act.

[not_what_you_d_expect]

RIP, Earl.

[Broomstick]

Sad new. Not unexpected given his age, but sad nonetheless.

[jjimm]

20-something years ago I bought a 5-string banjo and his book. Great musician and communicator. RIP.

[Pork_Rind]

.Sad, sad news. I liked this article from the New Yorker, written by Steve Martin…
THE MASTER FROM FLINT HILL: EARL SCRUGGS

Some nights he had the stars of North Carolina shooting from his fingertips. Before him, no one had ever played the banjo like he did. After him, everyone played the banjo like he did, or at least tried. In 1945, when he first stood on the stage at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and played banjo the way no one had ever heard before, the audience responded with shouts, whoops, and ovations. He performed tunes he wrote as well as songs they knew, with clarity and speed like no one could imagine, except him. When the singer came to the end of a phrase, he filled the theatre with sparkling runs of notes that became a signature for all bluegrass music since. He wore a suit and Stetson hat, and when he played he smiled at the audience like what he was doing was effortless. There aren’t many earthquakes in Tennessee, but that night there was.

[WordMan]

Damn.

[Leaffan]

It’s a sad comment that I only know of him from the Beverly Hillbillys theme song; but at least I know of him. Not sure I can say the same about any other banjo players, Neil Young aside.

[Bumbershoot]

Very sad news. Hearing the Beverly Hillbillys theme is what inspired Bela Fleck to take up the banjo.

[johnpost]

he stayed active for a long time. good musician, lots of good tunes.

[Maserschmidt]

Try some Ground Speed: Earl Scruggs - Ground Speed - YouTube

[OldLobsterClaw]

A banjo among all those harps will sure liven it up, up there. RIP

[aceplace57]

That pretty much ends Bill Monroe’s old band. Earl Scruggs & Lester Flatt were a important part of the Blue Grass Boys. Bill, Earl, & Lester will never be forgotten.

[missred]

RIP to a great banjo picker and an awsome human being. We loved you, Uncle Earl (an endearment by many of us who had the pleasure of meeting him).

[GIGObuster]

One last jam with his friends.

Foggy Mountain Breakdown

Earl Scruggs And Friends - Foggy Mountain Breakdown

Earl Scruggs with Glen Duncan, Randy Scruggs, Steve Martin, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Gary Scruggs, Albert Lee, Paul Shaffer, Jerry Douglas, and Leon Russell.
RIP Earl Scruggs.

[Sudden_Kestrel]

I’m-a tappin’ my toes in his honor. RIP.

[Bumbershoot]

Earl Scruggs & Bela Fleck, Home Sweet Home

[Nawth_Chucka]

I’m glad for the few performances of his I got to see at Merlefest 2006. Rest in heavenly, syncopated peace, Earl.

[cochrane]

I only know of Earl Scruggs from the Beverly Hillbillies, but he and Lester Flatt appeared in several episodes as well as performing the theme.

Here is Flatt and Scruggs’ own rendition of The Ballad of Jed Clampett (with Lester singing the lead instead of Jerry Scoggins).

[TriPolar]

RIP Earl

Your music broke the barrier for country.

[Bumbershoot]

Earl Scruggs, Earl’s Breakdown