Reminding listeners his only constant was, 'I've always been inconsistent”, his recordings followed one rule, “anything that I like and that I think I can find a handle to, I'll take a whack at. As a self-described ‘moldy fig’ who eschewed the term “folk artist”, Dave Van Ronk’s eclectic blend of dixieland jazz, ragtime, blues, vaudeville and other styles were often in direct conflict with the format-conscious world of the commercial music business. Referred to as “the great, grizzled, guitarist” by, Van Ronk’s music eluded classification. After a stint in the Merchant Marine, tireless gigging in most every cabaret in the city, and a one-off collaboration as a on 's album of sea shanties, Van Ronk settled on the lower west side Manhattan, in Greenwich Village. By 1958, he and life-long friend, musicologist, released their first album, 's 'Skiffle in Stereo' as members of. Arriving at Washington Square Park in the mid 1950s during the folk revivalist boom, Van Ronk lived hand-to-mouth while teaching himself to play guitar and dabbling in communist political circles. Nicknamed the Mayor of MacDougal Street, New York City native Dave Van Ronk was considered by many to be music's raconteur, troubadour and provocateur.
Real Name Dave Van Ronk Profile Born 30 June 1936, Brooklyn, NY, USA