Ralph Stanley, died of a bluegrass legend, popularized by the Coen brothers – Le Figaro

DISAPPEARANCE – A pioneer of this subgenre of country music, the American musician died in the night of Wednesday to Thursday at the age of 89. He was known to the general public in particular thanks to the appearance of one of its songs on the soundtrack of the film O Brother .

the death, he had sung so well, finally won. Revealed internationally thanks to its a cappella interpretation of the traditional folk song O Death , appeared in the feature film the Coen brothers’ O’Brother (2000), Ralph Stanley is no more. This pioneering bluegrass died in the night of Wednesday 22 to Thursday, June 23, announced his grand-son, the musician Nathan Stanley. “He went away peacefully in his sleep because of a long and terrible battle against a skin cancer,” wrote last Thursday.

For 89 years, the musician left a career rich behind him. Born in 1927 in Southern Virginia, he learned to make the banjo as a teenager with his mother before he founded with his brother Carter, the duo The Stanley Brothers. Echoing many titles of Bill Monroe in their early days, they finally started writing their own songs. Together, they have also contributed to the popularization of the song Man of Constant Sorrow , later recorded by Bob Dylan. Ralph Stanley has recorded with him an old song of the Stanley Brothers in 1997.

After the death of his brother in 1966, Ralph Stanley continued to turn, by integrating its more lives singing a cappella. He also formed another band, the Clinch Mountain Boys. Recognized as one of the pioneers of bluegrass, he played at ceremonies inauguration of Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton Presidents. Despite health problems, he continued to perform in concert more than 80 years, sometimes alongside his son Ralph Stanley II on guitar and his little son Nathan to the mandolin.

named “living legend” by the Library of Congress in 2000, he has received during his life multiple distinctions. Including a Grammy in 2002 for “Best Male Vocal Performance in country music,” won thanks to his interpretation of O Death . A title that pursue him into the afterlife.