In Ethan Clark‘s upcoming story about Uncle Monk, former Ramones member Tommy Erdelyi, now steeped deep in the bluegrass scene, points out that Bill Monroe “had the temperament of a punk,” apparently referring to Monroe’s uncompromising attitude toward his music and fellow musicians.
Dedicated bluegrass fans already know this, of course — but to the casual listener it might be news. After all, it’s so easy to picture the founder of bluegrass as some gentle old grandpa picking away on his porch. Depending on what you read, though, Monroe has been portrayed by his peers as (ironically) both cuttingly aloof and dangerously explosive. He allegedly hired and fired band members at whim, reportedly chased anything in a skirt, and, in later years, was rumored to have exhibited rabid jealousy of younger bluegrass players, not to mention a bitter (and perhaps understandable) hatred toward the emerging colossus that was rock and roll.
All kinds of juicy stuff! There’s no way, of course, to know what’s true and what’s been distorted by history and journalists. It’s interesting stuff, though. Anyone got a first, second, or thirdhand Bill Monroe story to spill?
— Melanie McGee Bianchi, A&E editor
When I interviewed Ralph Stanley, he made the offhand remark that Monroe was “an SOB”
Well, you should hear what I just heard about Ralph Stanley!! — from someone who knew someone who saw something after-hours at a festival. Alas, it’s actually so juicy as to be unprintable.
Your potential anecdote intrigues me, and I hope to subscribe to your newsletter.
Monroe was simply a hard working man, who new what he wanted in his music and if you worked for him you done it his way or you didn’t play.Simple, typical Kentucky born farmer.
I know that, like many early recording artists, he didn’t mind taking songwriting credits for other people’s songs. Stringbean Akeman, spent a few years playing with my granddad (Charlie Rogers)and his brothers before he ended up down in Nashville with Monroe. One of the songs my granddad played, and possibly wrote (Rocky Road Blues), ended up making money for Monroe after he recorded and published it under his name in the 40s. When my dad met Monroe at the Opry back in the 70s, he asked him where he got the song. Monroe said, “Stringbean gave me that song.” Daddy asked, “Did you ever think that might not have been Stringbean’s song to give?” and Monroe replied, “No son, it never crossed my mind.” My brother’s band had to pay royalties to Monroe’s estate last year when they recorded it. I’m not saying he’s a thief, but that don’t sound like justice to me.