Don Kniss, a bassist who performed for five decades with the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary and co-wrote the John Denver hit "Sunshine on My Shoulders," has died. He was 74. Kniss died Wednesday of pulmonary disease at a hospital near their home in the Hudson Valley town of Saugerties, said his wife, Diane Kniss. Don was born in Portland Oregon.
Don Kniss was born in Portland, Ore., and was an original member of Denver's 1970s band. He also played with jazz greats including Herbie Hancock and Woody Herman.
Question ?
Didn't DON KNISS go to High School in Portland ??? I remember a concert with "PETER, PAUL & MARY" in at the old Civic Auditorium in Portland and also one at Mac Court in Eugene & I belive at one of those events, they said that DON KNISS went to Beaverton High, Madison, or somwhere around here... Anyone out there in Stumpland know ???
He sure added a beautiful bottom-end sound to that folk group.
I believe he also played some gigs with "THE KINGSTON TRIO" when The Trio's bass player DAVID "BUCK" WHEAT was unable to be there.
DON KNISS seemed like a really nice guy & a sharp musician...
Posted by: George Hood | January 27, 2012 at 08:58 PM
Peter, Paul and Mary was truly a quartet. It's just that Kniss never got any credit. It always seemed strange that the bass player was left out.
Posted by: JoelinPDX | January 27, 2012 at 09:24 PM
And of course, Mary Travers (of PP&M) passed away not too long ago...a voice we still miss...
Best, M. ;-]
Posted by: Mike S. | January 27, 2012 at 10:07 PM