Biography:

“Spider” John Koerner (August 31, 1938 – May 18, 2024)^[1] was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He was best known as a guitarist and vocalist in the blues trio Koerner, Ray & Glover, with Dave Ray and Tony Glover. He also made albums as a solo performer and with Willie Murphy.

Koerner grew up in Rochester, New York, and after a brief military service attended the University of Minnesota.^[1] He intended to major in engineering but soon became involved in the Minneapolis music scene, where he met Dave Ray and Tony Glover. They formed a loose-knit trio, releasing albums under the name Koerner, Ray & Glover.^[1] The group gained notice with their first album, Blues, Rags and Hollers, originally released by Audiophile in 1963 and re-released by Elektra Records later that year.^[2][3]

Koerner was an early influence on Bob Dylan, who mentioned Koerner in his autobiography, Chronicles. Speaking of the early 1960s, Koerner later said, “We were all goofy, you know. We were thinkers and drinkers and artists and players, and Dylan was one of us. He was another guy.”^[4]

In 1965, Koerner recorded his first solo album, Spider Blues, for Elektra and appeared at the Newport Folk Festival accompanied by Glover. He continued playing on the folk circuit and joined with Willie Murphy to record Running, Jumping, Standing Still in 1969.^[5] The duo eventually split up, and Koerner pursued an unsuccessful career in filmmaking, retiring from music and moving to Copenhagen, Denmark.^[6] He later returned to music in the traditional folk genre and continued to perform and release new albums from time to time.^[2] He lived in Minneapolis and had two sons and a daughter.

Awards

In 1983 the Minnesota Music Academy named Koerner, Ray and Glover “Best Folk Group” and in 1985 inducted them into the MMA Hall of Fame.^[7]

In 2008, Koerner, Ray & Glover were inducted into the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame under the category Blues Recordings for Blues, Rags and Hollers.^[8]

Koerner, Ray & Glover has been honored with a star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue,^[9] recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue.^[10] Receiving a star “might be the most prestigious public honor an artist can receive in Minneapolis,” according to journalist Steve Marsh.^[11]

He died on May 18, 2024.^[12]

Credits: