The Old Pueblo lost one of its most talented stalwart local musicians this week. Stefan George, a genre melding blues guitarist, passed just two months shy of his 63rd birthday. According to longtime friend, TW contributor and fellow musician, Jim Lipson, George’s impact on music will probably take years to really fully comprehend.

“When people get around to cataloging and archiving his music, they’re going to be blown away,” Lipson says. “I know it’s cliche, but he really is one of those immense talents that never got the attention they deserved.”

In the late ’80s and early ’90s, George and Lipson played together in the band Brain Damage Orchestra for six years, and the two men have collaborated as musicians and friends ever since. More recently, Lipson, along with Tucson Kitchen Musician’s Association, made sure George was a Tucson Folk Fest headliner. Lipson comments that George’s musical prowess extended beyond blues into folk, rock, bluegrass, reggae, ska, swing and zydeco. George was also a member of many local bands in his time in Tucson.

“He’s not just a blues player, but a truly prolific musician,” Lipson says. “He was a major talent—not just for Tucson.”

George was also a staple at several local venues, including, until very recently, La Cocina. La Cocina bartender and fellow musician Steven Romo described George’s personal impact via Facebook:

I just heard that Stefan George passed away. I’ll never forget our conversation over whiskey about music, women, and life. You were always a stand out gentleman. You will be heavily missed.

George’s reach, in terms of genre, generation and more, already has people talking about how best to honor him. Lipson says he wouldn’t be surprised if HoCo Fest, TKMA and the Tucson Blues Hall of Fame (of which George was a member) all opted to honor him in different ways.

“It would be great to see musicians take the time to really learn his songs and pay tribute that way,” he says. “I think everybody wants to do something, and I don’t think doing just one night could really cover it.”

Lipson says George was found in his home by a neighbor.

“I’m not sure at this point what happened,” Lipson says. “He had been in failing health for the last several months.”

George is survived by his son, Josh Kelly, who is traveling from Vermont to plan services. Although “a celebration of George’s life,” as Lipson puts it, has yet to be scheduled, we will update you on information regarding services for George as it becomes available.

Until then, let’s take a moment to listen to this legendary Tucson musician:

This article appears in Aug 13-19, 2015.

15 replies on “Tucson Blues Legend Stefan George Passes at 62”

  2. He didn’t pass, Heather, he DIED. Death will come to you, me, & every creature who breathes. Use the correct word, & stop living in a state of denial!

  3. P.S. Heather:
    “it’s” – contraction of “it is”
    “its” – possessive; belonging to “it”
    Can’t people who write for a living comprehend this simple fact?

  5. URonRowan, would you say any of these things in real life, or are you just a keyboard commando?

  6. Stefan was always a kind, kind man, a great unrecognized talent and, in my relatively vast experience as a musician, one of the finest guitarists I’ve ever known…

    He will be missed more than you can know….

  9. He and Livinia played at our wedding in ’96. Such a treat! Loved his sound, loved his lyrics.

  13. I visited on the Wednesdays of his last few months with Stefan. In my opinion he died of a broken heart not long after his wife Lavinia and his Mom died within 6 months of each other. That was about 1.5 years ago. He stopped eating until he was skin and bones. I tried to get him to eat and he would not.
    I knew him since the old Splinter Brothers days and played with him over the years. He is missed.

  14. I first met Stefan in Bisbee,Az. at HOT LICKS blues bar many years ago,he was one of the greatest bluesman I have ever met.It was a sad day today when I heard of his death.He will be missed beyond words could ever be written about him… I have known many performers that would love to have half of his talent and presence on stage.A true loss in the music industry that will never be replaced… RIP old friend.Steve Daniels

  15. I’ve known Stefan since we were 8 years old. Great friends through grade school and high school. Reading Brendan’s note above sounds like Stefan… dying from a broken heart after his wife and mother had died. I’m hoping that a celebration for his life is posted so I and others can pay our respects for fine person and a truly gifted musician.

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