Bill Bryson

Peter Freiberger · Post by **Peter Freiberger** » 1 May 2017 7:23 pm

From Annie Bryson on Facebook, "For those of you who have not heard, Bill passed away in the early afternoon of April 30, 2017". For decades Bill was a beloved fixture in the L.A. country and bluegrass scene, perhaps most notably as bassist with The Desert Rose Band. There are many wonderful photos on his Facebook page. Here's one more, from the day he came over to play bass on "Sin City" for JayDee's CD. Having Bill on it meant a lot to all of us. We will miss him.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 1 May 2017 11:25 pm

This is heartbreaking,When I lived in Huntington Beach I had done a few casuals with Bill,He was the nicest guy,I remember playing a place in Long Beach upstairs probably a"Cowboy Maynard"gig Godspeed Bill!

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 2 May 2017 4:08 am

RIP Mr.Bryson.
I was lucky to see him perform with Desert Rose Band Mark2 somewhere in the late nineties.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 2 May 2017 5:31 am

Sad day ... Bill was a great musician and a very cool hang. Godspeed, my man.

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 2 May 2017 8:02 am

Yeah, this is a tough loss for those of us that knew Bill.
A wonderful player, and a great guy - one of those people you always wished that you got to hang out with more often.

The picture above was taken on Halloween 2014 in my studio while doing JayDee’s CD. We were intent on getting all the original Desert Rose guys to play on “Sin City”, and we were really thankful to get Bill over to record his part, since we knew he was ill. He was feeling pretty good that day, and we were all optimistic for him.

I’ll miss him big time.
Vaya con Dios, Amigo

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 2 May 2017 10:33 am

This is sad for me, again LORD. Thanks " Bill Bryson "for the many little gigs we picked together. Our last one was with the late Lou Martin at the " Fire Fly " night club on Beach Blvd in Stanton,California. RIP Bill.

Ron Pruter · Post by **Ron Pruter** » 2 May 2017 6:34 pm

Sad to hear this. Only got to share a few words with Bill. He always had the best spirit emanating from the Desert Rose stage. Loved his playing. Can anyone comment on what illness he had? Ron

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 2 May 2017 8:59 pm

Bill and I both attended the same college back in 1963 and '64, and were both active in the folk singing club. We knew each other casually but were not close. After that we went our separate ways and did not see each other for over 50 years.

We met again at a party 2 or 3 years ago. Bill recognized me instantly. We talked about getting together, and him showing me his instrument collection. Sadly, it never happened.

R.I.P. Bill

Garry Vanderlinde · Post by **Garry Vanderlinde** » 3 May 2017 8:12 pm

I was very fortunate to be able to play with Bill in numerous bands starting from the early 1970's until just recently.
Always a friend and the best guy you'd ever want to be in a band with.
RIP Buddy

...and he could rock a pair of shorts

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 3 May 2017 8:37 pm

Great pic, Garry.
Yessir... Bill was rockin' in shorts right up until the end...quite a guy.

Garry Vanderlinde · Post by **Garry Vanderlinde** » 3 May 2017 8:44 pm

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 4 May 2017 4:38 am

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 7 May 2017 9:37 pm

I didn't post until now because this was a tough one. Bill was based on the L.A. area back in the 80's and I played countless times with him - obviously he would play with anybody (he would appreciate that!). He was a great guy, fantastic singer and a machine as a bass player - I don't remember him ever hitting a wrong note.

There are some excellent videos on YouTube from the 1980's filmed at the long-gone Banjo Cafe featuring Bill, Pat Cloud on Banjo, Bob Applebaum on mandolin, Alan Wald on guitar and many others - they are full sets from the infamous Tuesday night jam, and Bill is the host on most. It's great seeing Bill as the front man.

He's really going to be missed.

PS - Gary, great pic of Bill - and the amazing Ross Landry!

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 11 May 2017 7:25 am

That pic of Bill with JD in The Desert Rose Band is how I remember him. We hung out back stage one day at a multi band Zoo Benefit gig that they were headlining, in Billings Montana, ...Tom Brumley was on Steel that day. My band was the opening band and we had backstage passes all day. We also met Chris Hillman, and John Jorgenson that day, thanks to Bill.
Sorry to hear of this. He was great with Desert Rose.

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 3 Jun 2017 5:46 am

So sorry to,hear Bill has moved down the highway.. Here in China I often watch that video that is two posts above mine where JD is wearing that cool black jackets with parrots and Bill has a blue suit. Chris Hillman and John Jorgensen are also chugging along. What a great video.

Condolences to Bill's family. Stevet

Jay Dee Maness · Post by **Jay Dee Maness** » 7 Jun 2017 11:49 am

I will always miss Bill Bryson.

John Brabant · Post by **John Brabant** » 6 Jan 2025 7:00 am

Been thinking about and feeling melancholy regarding my buddy Bill Bryson today. I stumbled upon this old posting (which somehow I missed back in 2017) while searching the web for information about Bill. My wife Joanne and I have been going through pictures and videos of Bill and the many bands he played with over the years. So many great times while we lived in Southern California, spending so much time hanging with Bill and the rest of the Desert Rose Band. We attended the very first show the DRB did at the Trancas pub back in early (January?) 1986, before they had come up with a name for the band. Watched them play while drinking Dos Equis beer in the audience with Bernie Leadon (Bill had introduced us). As near every person who knew Bill has stated, he was such a genuinely nice guy, so fun to talk music and band history with and so very well read and smart. Bill and Annie were quite the team. Miss this guy to this very day.