David LaFlamme (1941–2023), White Bird singer and songwriter
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2 min readDavid LaFlamme was a singer, songwriter, and violinist with It’s a Beautiful Day, known for their 1969 hit “White Bird.”
- Died: August 6, 2023 (Who else died on August 6?)
- Details of death: Died after fighting Parkinson’s disease at the age of 82.
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David LaFlamme’s legacy
LaFlamme cofounded It’s a Beautiful Day in 1967 alongside his then wife, Linda LaFlamme. They became best known for “White Bird,” a melancholy song written by the LaFlammes as they lived in a Seattle attic and sung by Laflamme and his wife. The psychedelic folk song, which included a violin solo by LaFlamme, became a hit on the West Coast, though it didn’t receive widespread national play. However, it was popular on college radio and underground stations, finding a place in the counterculture. “White Bird” was embraced by a new audience in 1976, when LaFlamme rerecorded it for his debut solo album, and it was later covered by such artists as Judy Collins.
It's a Beautiful Day recorded four albums before breaking up in 1973. Later, LaFlamme recorded solo albums and resumed recording and touring under the name It’s a Beautiful Day. He also appeared on such TV shows as “Frasier,” “Ellen,” and “Wings,” playing the violin.
LaFlamme on folk music
“It was good songs, good lyrics, good melodies, good vocals, and catchy tunes, you know, the stuff people still listen to today. It’s a simple and lasting art form and kept a passion for the music I have created over the years.” —from a 2014 interview for Park Record
Tributes to David LaFlamme
Full obituary: The Washington Post
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