Dave Van Ronk performs "Losers"

[@Juggler23]

One of the nicest men I have ever met. I was lucky enough to take guitar lessons from him. Rest In Peace.

[@gibby6904]

You were very lucky!

[@gwynnielsen5081]

Folk music is all about storytelling. This man seems to have stories that will endure over time.

[@gregorygoldberg132]

This is the Dave I saw in concert and was lucky enough to meet.

[@jimskrydlak3548]

A great musician (possibly the best finger-picker ever), a great musical scholar, a great arranger, and a truly great one-of-a-kind performer. I can only guess at the hours of practice that he spent to be able to pick like that.

[@tomasvanderneut414]

although I'm a great fan of Dave, if it's finger picking you're after have a listen to Nic Jones.

[@felixrockss]

amazing man and music .... sad that he was ill at this time ... Hope he rests in peace

[@sellmeyoursoul6601]

having the flu right now and feelin him

[@j4cubcoupe]

I saw Dave several times at the Cafe Lena in Saratoga NY in the 60's; when he was in his prime. When he'd get to driving on "Motherless Children" or "Cocaine" he was fantastic. RIP Dave.

[@hongdekong]

I like how he says he did not see himself as a folk or blues musician and you say in the discription: 'Folk Blues legend Dave van Ronk ...'

[@twiggy1253]

Really interesting guy, I really recommend his memoir “The Mayor of MacDougal Street”

[@rldickie]

heard a cover of this tune on cbc radio last night. reminded me of me ;)

[@skromt9593]

When you're Norwegian, the title of this video gets a whole new level.

[@0otee]

Congrats today, it would be your 88 birthday💥🌹🎶🌺

[@kittenclawsguitarvideos6147]

tom waits must have listened to him for sure

[@syverone]

@skromt haha so true... i wonder if he ever knew what we know haha

[@chongolongos]

Great interview but music starts at 2:59

[@dragonfitter]

i didnt mean about his singing i was talking about how when he is talking every time he pauses he sniffs that is common among coke users as the lining of the nose gets worn away . Plus he covered the gary davis song cocaine and he did live when it was rife

[@tazmannen]

Hahaha... funny!

[@victorwadsworth821]

Sounds like he had respiratory issues

[@Cropredy02]

+Victor Wadsworth I'd say he just had a cold, because he wasn't like that any of the four times i saw him at Blind Willy's here in Atlanta - including the last time, something like six months before he died.

[@williammyers1088]

Victor Wadsworth He smoked all his life is the reason why

[@TheRugFace]

In his book, said he had asthma

[@BarbarasUrates]

I am an aspirin user and I find your comment very offensive.

[@MrJorvik]

Sniff me here and snif me there - the man is authentic, come on Tom Waits and all other wannabees!

[@mossymoose8920]

I love Dave but let’s hold off on calling the man that gave us rain dogs a wannabe

[@deanmartin6682]

what hurt dave was this...he could not write songs like dylan or leonard cohen...and he looked more like a butcher then a young folksinger...like young dyan did...image is huge...perception..von ronk looked like a 45 year old stocky butcher

[@bokehintheussr5033]

Who are you to say that the great dave van ronk was "hurt" by anything. Dave lived a hell of a life and got all the recognition he deserved for his talent. You and i are just nobodies commenting on a youtube video that just goes to demonstrate the enduring impact that the man and his music had. Who gives a shit what he looked like? What a shallow comment. Besides, it suited van ronk to not be a star: that was his whole mythology. Dylan fancied himself a zeitgeist type of dude, dave a self deprecating cynical sort, who was more into rendering the universal appeal of the folk canon rather than presuming to express something "original".

[@evansgate]

his interpretations of other songs were pure genius though. I think he stands fine as the almighty influencer for others like Dylan

[@wayneprince2127]

@@bokehintheussr5033 One of a kind, and WELL THOUGHT of by his peers!

[@samcardoen2264]

Van Ronk wrote quite a few incredible songs. To say he could not write great songs is just plain wrong. "Losers" and "Another Time and Place" are worth 20 throwaway Dylan songs (I am not bashing Dylan, who has numerous great songs obviously, just pointing out you seem to have a limited pov).

[@AMEER-114-]

​@@samcardoen2264 Not opposing you here... Only problem is Dylan only has about 2 throwaway songs per decade

[@dragonfitter]

was he a coke user ? he sure sounds like it

[@AllWorkAndLowPay]

no way to know what beverage is in that cup...but it could be coke.