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Linda LaFlamme

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American musician, composer, and keyboardist (1939–2024)
Linda LaFlamme
Birth nameLinda Sue Rudman
Born(1939-04-13)April 13, 1939
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
DiedOctober 23, 2024(2024-10-23) (aged 85)
Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S.
GenresFolk rock, psychedelic rock, Jazz
Instrument(s)keyboard, vocals, electric piano
Years active1960s–1970s
Formerly ofIt's a Beautiful Day, Titus' Mother, A Thought in Passing
Spouse David LaFlamme ​ ​(m. 1964; div. 1969)​
Musical artist

Linda LaFlamme (née Rudman; April 13, 1939 – October 23, 2024) was an American musician, composer, and keyboardist who co-founded the folk rock band It's a Beautiful Day in 1967. She co-wrote several of the band's songs, including "White Bird," before pursuing a career with other musical projects and composing for theater.

Early life

Linda Sue Rudman, later known as Linda LaFlamme, was born on April 13, 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri, as the middle of three children to Edward Leonid Rudman and Annette Miller. She was classically trained in piano and harpsichord but later gravitated toward jazz and rock and roll. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Wisconsin in 1961.

Career

In 1963, Linda Rudman moved to San Francisco, where she met David LaFlamme, an Army veteran and violinist who had performed with the Utah Symphony. The pair formed both a romantic and musical partnership, marrying in 1964 and co-founding the band It's a Beautiful Day in 1967 with the assistance of manager Matthew Katz.

The band began performing in Seattle, where the LaFammes wrote "White Bird" in early 1968 while living in challenging conditions. Linda composed the music on an electric piano, which David later paired with lyrics. The song became the opening track of the band’s debut album, released by Columbia Records in 1969, alongside other compositions by the LaFlammes, including "Hot Summer Day" and "Girl With No Eyes." While the album reached No. 47 on the Billboard chart, it gained recognition for its contributions to the folk rock and psychedelic music genres.

Following their divorce in 1969, Linda LaFlamme left It’s a Beautiful Day and pursued other musical ventures. She founded the band Titus' Mother in St. Louis before establishing A Thought in Passing in Oakland, California, by 1972. A Thought in Passing performed original material composed by LaFlamme and appeared in venues such as the Opaterny Ballet Theater in Mountain View, California. During the late 1970s, she transitioned into composing music for theatrical productions in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Personal life

Linda adopted the Hebrew name Neska after her divorce from David LaFlamme. She had one daughter, Kira LaFlamme Newman, and two granddaughters. In her later years, she lived in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where she died on October 23, 2024, due to vascular dementia. She experienced a stroke earlier in the year.

References

  1. ^ Williams, Alex (November 8, 2024). "Linda LaFlamme Dies at 85; Her 'White Bird' Reflected a Hippie Fantasy". New York Times. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  2. ^ "Linda LaFlamme joins new group". The Peninsula Times Tribune. 1972-10-06. Retrieved 2024-11-17 – via Newspapers.com.
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