Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Music Fans--Happy Birthday Bill Monroe!

All you music fans, today is the 99th birthday of the Father of Bluegrass, William Smith Monroe. Please take a moment to remember the man!

Read this if you have no idea what I'm talking about

I've been listening to bluegrass for 20+ years and about 15 years ago I had the pleasure of meeting him and shaking his hand. I asked if he had any plans of retiring. He said he planned on dying on stage. He passed away with dates still to play.

Famous Monroe tale:

Monroe was unhappy with the work that Gibson had done
on his mandolin, and so he gouged their name off the peghead.

There's a story that goes like this:

Bill Monroe attended a luncheon at the White House where he met Frank Sinatra. They shook hands and Sinatra mentioned how he admired Monroe’s music, specifically mentioning Grand Ole Opry performances in the 1940s.

“Now, what did you say your name was?” asked Monroe.
“I’m Frank Sinatra.”
“And what is it you do?”
“I’m a singer.”
“I believe I’ve heard of you”, deadpanned Monroe.
“Well, I hope so”, responded Sinatra with utmost grace.