In a tragic incident, the popular folk singer and songwriter David Olney died on stage during a live performance in Florida. He was 71 when he breathed his last.
He was playing a song and just paused for a while, said “I am sorry” and he was gone. That was the eye witness account by Scott Miller. He was performing with the deceased singer. He disclosed this on his Facebook post.
The incident happened on Saturday night. He was performing at the 30A Songwriters Festival. While some reports suggested that he collapsed on the stage. However, the eye witness reports suggested that he just went still on his stool which made the fellow musicians believe that he has just taken a pause. However, they soon realised the actual happening and lowered him onto the stage.
Amy Rigby, who was sitting next to him explained what happened. He stated on Facebook, “Olney was in the middle of his third song when he stopped, apologized, and shut his eyes,”. Doctors in the auditorium tried reviving him, but still, there was no success.
“…We all lost someone important last night.” Added Rigby concluding his eye witness account. It may be remembered that he had given a half an hour performance earlier in the day and it was recorded on YouTube.
Olney was a popular figure in the American Folk rock arena. He has recorded 20 albums on his own and has also collaborated with big names like Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Del McCoury, and Steve Earle. He was a native of Lincoln, Rhode Island and became a key folk singer in Nashville after he moved to the region in 1973.
He is survived by his wife, Regine, daughter, Lillian, and son, Redding. The services and final rites have not yet been decided.
