Fred Holstein (December 9, 1942 – January 12, 2004) was an American folk music singer. Holstein was a prominent figure in the Chicago folk music scene in the 1960s through 1980s. He co owned two clubs in the Old Town and Lincoln Park neighborhoods. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he was not a songwriter, but his talent for singing with his resonant baritone and arranging was well recognized.
Holstein was born on December 9, 1942, and grew up in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood. According to his obituary, his parents ran a drug store at 79th Street and Michigan Avenue.[1] After seeing a Pete Seeger concert, he decided he wanted to study folk music.
Career
He started his future career by buying a guitar and teaching himself to play by singing along with records and studying songbooks.[1][2] Fred took lessons at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music starting in 1960. He had a long relationship with the school afterward, even working in the Folklore center music store.[2] Of the Old Town School Fred said:
Holstein began playing around Chicago in the 1960s, first at places like the Old Town Pub and a bar in Morton Grove called Scot's Cellar. At Scot's, Holstein first met and began mentoring younger fellow musician Steve Goodman. He briefly tried making a living as a performer in San Francisco and Greenwich Village in New York City, but soon returned to Chicago.[2]
Holstein's fame did not extend much beyond Chicago, as he did not tour or record much, but within Chicago he was well known. He was a resident musician at the now defunct Chicago clubs, "Somebody Else's Troubles" and "The Earl of Old Town". Holstein first played at the Earl in 1966.[2] Fred had an easy-going stage presence, routinely tailoring set lists to friends birthdays or requests, but would not tolerate a disruptive audience and tell them to "shut up".[3] Fred loved to constantly share new songs with his audience as soon as he could, he would attempt a new song as soon as he could stumble through it.
An anchor of the Chicago folk scene and a contemporary of Steve Goodman, John Prine, Bonnie Koloc. Holstein co-owned two folk music clubs in the Old Town, and Lincoln Park, neighborhoods, including Somebody Else's Troubles and Holstein's.[3] Holstein was known for his knowledge of several hundred songs and "instant recall," as well as being able to accompany himself on guitar, banjo, and twelve string.[3] Holstein was an admirer of ballad singers like Woody Guthrie and Utah Phillips. He would remind aspiring musicians to "Understand the song. It is a lot more important than you are."[4]
Holstein and his brother Ed would regularly open shows his club, and sometimes headline them. The club closed in 1987. In his later years, Holstein performed two or three times a year at the Abbey Pub, an Irish bar on the Northwest Side of Chicago, often with Ed as the opener. In his final years, Holstein suffered from various illnesses and was unable to perform at the annual New Year's Eve concert at WFMT on December 31, 2003.
Personal life
He died at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago of complications from emergency abdominal surgery on January 12, 2004. He was survived by his mother and two younger brothers, Ed and Alan.[1]
Live at the Earl of Old Town, 2008 Eddie Holstein (Self-Released) - Recorded June 30, 1969
Other Appearances
Gathering at the Earl of Old Town, 1971 Dunwich - performs "Jimmy Newman", "The Man Who Sings", "Goin' Home"
Tribute To Steve Goodman, 1985 Red Pajamas Records - performs "The Thanksgiving Song"
Rebel Voices: Songs of the Industrial Workers of the World, 1988 Flying Fish Records - performs "Banks Of Marble", "Stung Right"
References
^ abcKogan, Rick. "Fred Holstein, 61." Chicago Tribune. January 14, 2004. Accessed February 1, 2018.
^ abcdLarry Rand. 1975, "Fred Holstein in the port of Chicago", The Chicago Guide, p.152-153
^ abcEmily Friedman. (January 1975), Fred Holstein: Your Friendly Neighborhood Troubadore, Come For To Sing 1 (1) p.8-9
^Fred Holstein. (January 1975), Focus on Chicago. Come For To Sing 1 (1) p.7
External links
Fred Holstein.com - Fred's website, his recordings are here for purchase as well.
Fred Holstein Last Chorus, Sing Out Magazine, 3/22/2006
January 29, 2023
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Fred Holstein December 9 1942 January 12 2004 was an American folk music singer Holstein was a prominent figure in the Chicago folk music scene in the 1960s through 1980s He co owned two clubs in the Old Town and Lincoln Park neighborhoods Unlike many of his contemporaries he was not a songwriter but his talent for singing with his resonant baritone and arranging was well recognized Fred HolsteinBorn 1942 12 12 December 12 1942Chicago IllinoisOriginChicago IllinoisDiedJanuary 12 2004 2004 01 12 aged 61 GenresFolkOccupation s songwriterInstrument s Guitar banjoYears active1970s 2002 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Discography 4 1 Albums 4 2 Other Appearances 5 References 6 External linksEarly life EditHolstein was born on December 9 1942 and grew up in Chicago s South Shore neighborhood According to his obituary his parents ran a drug store at 79th Street and Michigan Avenue 1 After seeing a Pete Seeger concert he decided he wanted to study folk music Career EditHe started his future career by buying a guitar and teaching himself to play by singing along with records and studying songbooks 1 2 Fred took lessons at Chicago s Old Town School of Folk Music starting in 1960 He had a long relationship with the school afterward even working in the Folklore center music store 2 Of the Old Town School Fred said Holstein began playing around Chicago in the 1960s first at places like the Old Town Pub and a bar in Morton Grove called Scot s Cellar At Scot s Holstein first met and began mentoring younger fellow musician Steve Goodman He briefly tried making a living as a performer in San Francisco and Greenwich Village in New York City but soon returned to Chicago 2 Holstein s fame did not extend much beyond Chicago as he did not tour or record much but within Chicago he was well known He was a resident musician at the now defunct Chicago clubs Somebody Else s Troubles and The Earl of Old Town Holstein first played at the Earl in 1966 2 Fred had an easy going stage presence routinely tailoring set lists to friends birthdays or requests but would not tolerate a disruptive audience and tell them to shut up 3 Fred loved to constantly share new songs with his audience as soon as he could he would attempt a new song as soon as he could stumble through it An anchor of the Chicago folk scene and a contemporary of Steve Goodman John Prine Bonnie Koloc Holstein co owned two folk music clubs in the Old Town and Lincoln Park neighborhoods including Somebody Else s Troubles and Holstein s 3 Holstein was known for his knowledge of several hundred songs and instant recall as well as being able to accompany himself on guitar banjo and twelve string 3 Holstein was an admirer of ballad singers like Woody Guthrie and Utah Phillips He would remind aspiring musicians to Understand the song It is a lot more important than you are 4 Holstein and his brother Ed would regularly open shows his club and sometimes headline them The club closed in 1987 In his later years Holstein performed two or three times a year at the Abbey Pub an Irish bar on the Northwest Side of Chicago often with Ed as the opener In his final years Holstein suffered from various illnesses and was unable to perform at the annual New Year s Eve concert at WFMT on December 31 2003 Personal life EditHe died at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago of complications from emergency abdominal surgery on January 12 2004 He was survived by his mother and two younger brothers Ed and Alan 1 Discography EditAlbums Edit Chicago and Other Ports 1977 Philo Records For All The Good People 1978 Holstein Self released A Collection 2001 Self Released Compilation 1977 1983 Remembering Fred A Tribute to Fred Holstein 2004 Old Town School Recordings Recorded live at a memorial concert at the Old Town School of Folk Music April 3 2004 Live at the Earl of Old Town 2008 Eddie Holstein Self Released Recorded June 30 1969Other Appearances Edit Gathering at the Earl of Old Town 1971 Dunwich performs Jimmy Newman The Man Who Sings Goin Home Tribute To Steve Goodman 1985 Red Pajamas Records performs The Thanksgiving Song Rebel Voices Songs of the Industrial Workers of the World 1988 Flying Fish Records performs Banks Of Marble Stung Right References Edit a b c Kogan Rick Fred Holstein 61 Chicago Tribune January 14 2004 Accessed February 1 2018 a b c d Larry Rand 1975 Fred Holstein in the port of Chicago The Chicago Guide p 152 153 a b c Emily Friedman January 1975 Fred Holstein Your Friendly Neighborhood Troubadore Come For To Sing 1 1 p 8 9 Fred Holstein January 1975 Focus on Chicago Come For To Sing 1 1 p 7External links EditFred Holstein com Fred s website his recordings are here for purchase as well Fred Holstein Last Chorus Sing Out Magazine 3 22 2006 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fred Holstein amp oldid 1083632700, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
