Bob Shane, the last living member of the Kingston Trio passed away on Sunday January 26, 2020 one week before his 86th birthday. The Kingston Trio and their manager Frank Werber were the owner’s of the Trident restaurant. The original Kingston Trio are featured in the photo above. Left to right are Bob Shane, Dave Guard, and Nick Reynolds.
The Kingston Trio was the most successful American folk group of the late 1950s and 60s, placing 23 albums on Billboard’s LP chart. The first five of those: The Kingston Trio (1958), The Kingston Trio at large (1959), Here We Go Again! (1959), Sold Out (1960), and String Along (1960) all reached Number 1 while another 9 albums of theres made the top 10.
The Trio, along with several other groups and individual performers like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, is largely credited with helping to spark a folk music revival during that era.
It was always a treat when the Trio dropped in at the Trident. Wonderful characters all of them. The operative word in that sentence is “Characters.” Back in 2010 when there was a Hungry I reunion in San Francisco Bob called and took me out to lunch at the Trident. Of all places. He was hilarious and it was a blast. Don’t ask about the brownies he brought out for desert. Love you Bob. Keep them entertained up there.
Trident Kingston Trio Interview.
New York Times Bob Shane, Last of the Original Kingston Trio
Hollywood Reporter Kingston Trio Founding Member Dies at 85
Billboard Kingston Trio Founding Member Bob Shane Dies
a big presence …you knew when he walked into a room….fun to know..so sad…