SALEM, Mo. (CelebrityAccess) Dean Webb, 81, bluegrass mandolin legend, died in Salem, Mo., June 30, according to Bluegrass Today.
Webb was a member of the Dillards, aka The Darling Family of “The Andy Griffith Show” fame. Webb, the Dillard brothers and Mitch Jayne formed The Dillards in 1962 and traveled the country in a 1955 Cadillac. As his prowess grew, so did the gigs. He played alongside a young Glen Campbell in 1963 in a collective known as The Folkswingers and spent much of the decade recording for various musicians. In 1972, the Dillards played on Elton John’s first North American tour. John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin has credited Webb as one of his inspirations to learn how to play the mandolin.
Webb formed the bluegrass band Missouri Boatride in 2009.
The Dillards were discovered by Andy Griffith’s agency and subsequently made appearances on “The Andy Griffith Show” that led to increased popularity.
