Another loss for the singer/songwriter community--and it may hit a
bit harder for us fans of Linda's, because she shared a few things in
common with him. John Stewart, who was a member of the Kingston Trio
from 1961 to 1967 and who carved out a distinguished solo career
(even penning the #1 hit "Daydream Believer" for the Monkees), has
passed away due to a brain aneurism in San Diego at the age of 68.
Details are below.

Erik

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Daydream Believer songwriter dies

John Stewart, who wrote the Monkees hit Daydream Believer and was a
member of folk group The Kingston Trio, has died.

The 68-year-old suffered a massive stroke or brain aneurysm in San
Diego on Friday, according to The Kingston Trio's website.

Stewart joined the group, one of the most successful and influential
groups in popular folk, in 1961.

He wrote Daydream Believer, a global hit for The Monkees, in 1967,
the same year he left The Kingston Trio.

He went on to record more than 45 solo albums and his biggest solo
success came with a US top five single, Gold, in 1979.

'Musical excellence'

Stewart had been told in recent years he was in the early stages of
Alzheimer's disease and had suffered numerous minor strokes, his
friend Tom DeLisle wrote on The Kingston Trio site.

He collapsed in his hotel room and doctors said any surgery to save
his life, if successful, would have left him immobile and unable to
speak.

"John Stewart leaves a compilation of musical excellence unparalleled
in his time," Mr DeLisle wrote.

"He leaves behind a wide-ranging group of fans who have felt a
passion for him and his music that bordered on fanaticism."
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