- Born on: March 13, 1954
- Departed on: September 12, 2017
- Resided in: Cedar Rapids, IA
Charles Kenison
My old friend, Chuck Kenison, passed away on September 12th. His family moved to Cedar Rapids in 1967 from California, and he brought with him, in real time, the 'Summer of Love' pop culture & music explosion that was a West Coast phenomenon, but certainly a revelation to a 12 year old midwestern kid like me. I called him "the original Hippie of Harding Junior High", and his influence on the person I have become was / is voluminous. He had a voracious musical appetite which spanned all genres, and was an exceptional keyboardist, especially adept at 'barrelhouse' blues. His interest in all things mystical & 'Eastern' was perfectly suited to the late '60s & '70s Zeitgeist, but could also be a source of distress & distancing to some, especially later on, as signs of mental illness materialized. Chuck never shied from his beliefs, but he also found it hard to fit into a world rapidly embracing other priorities to those he held dear. He gradually, over time, receded into a cloistered existence, focusing on his promotion of the life & music of 'Robbie Basho', a virtuoso 12 string guitar player, singer, and composer whose vision was to see the steel string become a concert instrument and to create a raga system for America. Chuck and I had sponsored concerts & appearances here in the midwest until Robbie's untimely passing (at age 45) in 1986. I am glad that Chuck lived to see the release of the documentary film “Voice of the Eagle: The Enigma of Robbie Basho” a film by Liam Barker, as Chuck was so influential in keeping Robbie's memory alive ! We, your many friends who you were such an influence to, will continue to keep your memory alive, Chuck - Peace & Farewell
It was a pleasure to have known Chuck for over 40 years. He was a very talented musician and had a gentle, easy going personality. I can recall his chuckle when something struck him funny. I met him while he was playing music with Sam and Carlis on the lawn of Coe College. Our friendship grew from there. He had some bumps in the road of life but always seemed to handle them the best he could. I will miss him knowing I'll never receive another Robbie Basho update or having him ask me to critique his latest musical project. Farewell Chuck, Ken Eaton Cedar Rapids
I am glad to have found this site to use in remembering Chuck Kennison. My wife (Tara Youells) and I went to Kennedy High School with Chuck and were a year ahead of him in school. I considered Chuck a good friend and think he felt the same way about me. I hope that his grandchildren have the opportunity to read these homages to Chuck and understand that the their grandfather was a very special person. As others have noted, Chuck was vert talented musically. He could play any type of keyboard and I particularly recall his skill on the accordion. I play guitar and Chuck and I got together at different times over the years to jam- We each had our favorite songs that we'd bring to the sessions- usually something at least a few decades old. At the heart of his personality and natural inclinations, Chuck was a very kind and very intelligent person. He was always a good and consistent friend. And I remember his great excitement and enthusiasm when he found out ha'd become a grandfather. I last saw Chuck in about 2014 or so. We'd made plans to get together and play music, though Chuck no longer had a keyboard or accordion of his own.. I'd made arrangements to borrow a friend's accordion and we played music on a quiet part of the Iowa City Ped Mall, We enjoyed ourselves, but Chuck experienced anxiety about being out of the Abbé Center and its routines,so we left fairly soon. Still it was good to see him again and spend time together. You'll be remembered and missed, old friend!
Very, very sad to have just learned Chuck's passing only today. Chuck played music with Dan Woodward, Fred Bohner (deceased), and myself sometime around 1975 in a band named Willowfoot, later known as Triad. We played regularly at the Ground Round restaurant out on 1st Avenue. I remember he played several instruments with us including the Korg synthesizer, harmonica, jaw harp, a percussion instrument we called the "whale", kazoo, and a red plastic instrument called the Humatone, which fit over his nose. That one I will never forget. We could have given him a shoe and he would have made it musical somehow! I only knew him for a couple years but he has a place in my memory and fond place in my heart. I'm sure wherever he is now he is making music and having a good time.
