Derroll Adams

My first knowledge of Derroll Adams came not from one his own records, or even his songs, but from Donovan's Epistle To Derroll, in which a starfish is beseeched to bring news of: "the banjoman, with the tattoos on his hands." Lacking Don's ability to communicate with Echinoderms, the news came to me via Maggie Holland, whose brilliant recordings and performances have opened my ears to so much wonderful music over the years.

Donovan - Epistle To Derroll

Donovan and Derroll in A Boy Called Donovan

Maggie Holland and Donovan. Photo by Ian Anderson

Derroll Adams was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1925. 

In the 1950's he met Ramblin' Jack Elliott in Los Angeles, 

and the two men travelled, performed and recorded together for many years.

Discography

Solo albums

1967:    Portland Town

1972:    Feelin' Fine

1974:    Movin' On

1977:    Along the Way

1978:    Folk Friends (with Alex Campbell, Wizz Jones, Hannes Wader, etc.)

1994:    Derroll Adams LIVE

1997:    Songs of the Banjoman

With Ramblin' Jack Elliott

1957:    The Rambling Boys

1963:     Roll On Buddy

1969:     Folkland Songs

1969:     Riding in Folkland

1975:     America

Tribute album

2002:    Banjoman – a tribute to Derroll Adams

Derroll Adams - Payday at Coal Creek. 1973

Derroll Adams - Message To The World

Derroll Adams banjo techniques