'Poetry Man' Singer Phoebe Snow Dies at 60

By Kiki Von Glinow Posted Apr 26th 2011 12:40PM

Bluesy pop singer and songwriter, Phoebe Snow, died Tuesday morning due to complications from a brain hemorrhage, according to the AP. Snow found fame with her 1970s smooth hit, 'Poetry Man' and released her first eponymous record in 1974, for which received a 1975 Grammy nomination for best new artist.

But the soulful singer and guitarist fell out of the spotlight soon after to take care of her disabled daughter -- but not before making her mark on the music industry. Snow was able to merge her folk roots with her soulful, jazzy voice and create classic hits like, 'Love Makes a Woman' and 'Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.' She also sang the intro tune for the show, 'A Different World.'

The singer's hemorrhage was not an isolated health issue -- Snow also battled numerous blood clots, bouts with pneumonia, congestive heart failure and a stroke.

"The loss of this unique and untouchable voice is incalculable," Snow's manager, Sue Cameron told the AP. "Phoebe was one of the brightest, funniest and most talented singer-songwriters of all time and, more importantly, a magnificent mother to her late brain-damaged daughter, Valerie, for 31 years. Phoebe felt that was her greatest accomplishment."

Snow chose the career of mother when her daughter was born, rather than continuing her success in the studio. But that did not stop her from letting her passion live on in the form of sporadic collaborations with the likes of Paul Simon, Mavis Staples and Steely Dan's, Donald Fagen. She also sang at Howard Stern and Beth Ostrosky's 2008 wedding.

She released her last album, 'Natural Wonder,' in 2003 and leaves a legacy that isn't far off from her final album's title.

'Poetry Man'

'A Different World' Theme Song

Tags: phoebe snow

Comments

(64)

Tuesday 26 April

By Vasu Murti

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Here's a blast from the past!

I remember hearing about Phoebe Snow in the mid-'70s, but was unfamiliar with any of her music. Years later I heard "Poetry Man" on the radio. I've heard Phoebe Snow wrote "Poetry Man" for Jackson Browne.

By ejkgolf69

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Way too young. Loved her music.

By Gregory

Tremendously talented and leaving us far too early.

By bfgair

The Lord needed another voice in his choir. Instead he got a lead singer. I hope the Angels can learn from this heavenly voice. I know we left here on earth will miss this piece of heaven. Go in peace wonderful lady. You are missed already.

By memory maker

Such beautiful attributes to such a deserving soul.
We were touched by an Angel.....
Condolences to family and friends......

By sjw

May God shine His perpetual light upon her. I saw her perform a couple of years ago, and it was a great show. She still had that outstanding voice. But, she suffered so when her beloved daughter died. They are both at peace now, but will be greatly missed.

By JEB BUCKINGHAM

Like Karen carpenter, Phoebe Snow had the voice of an angel. She will be greatly missed.

By Jess

Rest in Peace and many blessings to the family
of Phoebe Snow!!! she was a beautiful human being!!

By Henry

I bid you adieu and RIP Phobe. I have one of your vinyl albums and spent many hours listening to that sultry, soulful voice. Excuse me I have a salty drop of water falling from my eye. You will be joining the likes of Minnie RiPPERTON, Donny Hathaway AND THE GREAT Marvin Gaye. A favorite song of mine was"Two- Fisted Love" you sang on Saturday Night Live in the 70's.Wow what a voice.

By nonny2t

RIP you had such talent and such an incredible voice. We lost a good one and way too young.

By Jack

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She was a fatty anyway

By Steve

Yet her week was always better than your year. Idiot.

Monday 09 May

By Jman

She was a terrific human being to put her child as #1 in her life. Too Bad her husband ran out on her when she needed him most. Also correction she was 58, being born July 17, 1952.

One of the highlights of my first year in Florida after moving here at 26 was finally getting to see Ms. Snow, whose music I adored, in concert in a small club. Finding out that she was as sweet and funny as she was talented has kept her at the top of my list of favorite people, celebrity or otherwise. Her talent was limitless, and, as her wonderful love for and care of her late daughter showed, her priorites were in the right place. Her memory will always be a good one to me, and her voice will thrill me every time I hear it.

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p.s. One correction - she was 58, not 60. She was born in July of 1952.

By Kat Wuman

She was a lovely person. I saw a segment about her and how she took such wonderful care of her daughter. I am sure she had enough money to have someone else take care of her daughter, but wanted to be with her, putting her career aside to be with her. Obviously her priorities were right. Wonderful voice- RIP

By hotpoker

Haunting voice. "Poetry Man" was always one of my favorites. Belated "thank you" Phoebe.

By poetryfan58

The song poetry man was beautiful. She gave up her career to take care of her daughter, whohad a difficult life. I did not know about her daughter until today. Sad news i was in high school when poetry man was a hit.
A beautiful voice silenced. RIP Phoebe and her daughter.

By Ruth Ann

My deepest condolences to the family, thank you for sharing her with the rest of the world.

By kevinbgood621

Her singing gives me goosebumps . What a lovely woman both inside and out . RIP sweet songbird .

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