Singer/songwriter Phoebe Snow passed away in Edison, New Jersey at the age of 60. She had suffed a brain hermorrhage in early 2010. Snow was best known as the singer of the 1974 hit “Poetry Man.” Her first album received wide acclaim critically and from the public, with a blend of pop, jazz, gospel, blues, and folk music. It reached #5 on the Billboard charts and sold more than a million copies.
Born in New York City, Snow’s first love was guitar; her goal was to be “the greatest woman guitarist alive” and to be “a female Jimi Hendrix.” She stated that her vocal approach was influenced by guitar and saxophone sounds, with poetry as the foundation for her lyrics. She was “discovered” in The Bitter End club in 1972, and she signed a record contract with Shelter Records. After her first album was a success, she appeared with Paul Simon on his Grammy-winning Still Crazy After All These Years, singing on “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” and “Gone At Last.”
Snow released a number of singles that charted well, but was not a fan of touring, and preferred to remain home caring for her daughter. She released sporadic albums over the years, including Rock Away in 1981 (with Billy Joel’s Band), Something Real in 1989, and Natural Wonder in 2003. She also sang jingles to support herself and her daughter. She received numerous awards, including a Culteral Achievement Award, a Don Kirschner Rock Award, Playboy Music Poll awards, New York Music Arwards, and a Clio Award. Snow performed for President Bill Clinton and his cabinet in 1999. In 2008 she released Live, which featured many of her hits.