From Richard Beban:
"What is this, Robert, posts about beautiful women and great raconteurs we both had the good fortune to know?
I got to hang out with Mimi in the summer of '84, when she was in a movie filmed in Mill Valley made from a really bad screenplay I wrote. I addition to being beautiful, and completely down-to-earth, she was a droll, gut-busting storyteller who kept me continuously laughing. Some of the tales of growing up with "Saint Joan" were particularly amazing.
We went to the Marin County Fair together that year, and saw everything from prize livestock to high school drill teams, and she had a trenchant, funny comment about each.
I'm misty, too, thinking about her."
___
Source
I keep thinking about Mimi Farina, my friend and someone I miss so much. She and I were singing, here, --was it in Japan? in 1966. We were on tour with Arlo Guthrie and Bruce Langhorne, the wonderful guitar player. Mimi danced, and we sang, and had hysterics every twenty-four hours over something. No one could laugh like Mimi--that giggle, full of mischeiff--Mimi, this one's for you, Mimi--Love, Judy
Jon's comments: "Here's a tribute and remembrance for Mimi Fariña, who would have turned 65 today. Mimi was one of the kindest, most giving people I've ever known. In 1974, she founded Bread & Roses to bring music to shut-ins throughout the Bay Area and made it her life work. Nine years ago she lost her life to cancer but her work lives on with the magnificent staff and volunteers of B&R. The organization does nearly 500 performances each year for those confined in jails, prisons, AIDS day care centers, old folks homes, and many other institutions. Her impact on those she touched is immeasurable.
Here she is at the finale of the 1990 Bread & Roses Acoustic Music Festival, throwing flowers to the audience. She's the kind of person you never forget if you had the good fortune to know her.
___
Judy Collins and Mimi Fariña - 1966
I keep thinking about Mimi Farina, my friend and someone I miss so much. She and I were singing, here, --was it in Japan? in 1966. We were on tour with Arlo Guthrie and Bruce Langhorne, the wonderful guitar player. Mimi danced, and we sang, and had hysterics every twenty-four hours over something. No one could laugh like Mimi--that giggle, full of mischeiff--Mimi, this one's for you, Mimi--Love, Judy
___
Here she is at the finale of the 1990 Bread & Roses Acoustic Music Festival, throwing flowers to the audience. She's the kind of person you never forget if you had the good fortune to know her.
___
My friend and schoolmate, Pete Zuidema, brought this to my attention. When I lived in San Francisco, I got to know Mimi Farina and her work with Bread & Roses. Glad to see anything that preserves Mimi’s memory. My life was much improved through knowing her and her work, musical and for the community. It’s not easy to be a musician sister of the talent and personage that is Joan Baez. But Mimi, despite some life knocks that would have made most people just crawl off into permanent darkness and despair, found energy and commitment to do good day after day. I hope she is long remembered for her efforts.
___
I knew her in high school. She was 5 or 6 years older than me but played music with my best friend's older brother. The only one at school who would refuse to participate in any air raid drill exercise. Instead, would sit in the hall and play and sing protest songs waaaay before anyone knew what it was to protest. This was back in 1958. I was at her first concert at Palo Alto High that same year. She always would mix me up with my sister. I loved her, and still do.
___
Usro Nagrom
I had the pleasure of MC'ing a private concert she did in San Francisco many years ago. What a charming and beautiful young woman!
___
I had the privilege of seeing Mimi Farina perform at an anti-nuclear benefit in Seattle (1980) on a bill with Danny O'Keefe, in addition to Robert Hunter with Keith and Donna Godchaux's post-Grateful Dead (they left the band in 1979) group called The Ghosts. Tragically, Keith died a few months latter in the summer. Mimi seemed to be a truly humble spirit who left an enduring legacy in her wake with the Bread and Roses organization.
___
I was fortunate to meet Mimi and Joan backstage at Bread and Roses benefit with George Carlin in 1976 I was shocked that she told me that if Richard hadn't been in that accident she would still be with him I was touched deeply because I had lost someone in a car accident too She had such a big heart.
___
Max Alberts
Dany: THANK YOU from the botoom of my heart - and I'm sure others share the gratitude-for posting the piece about the Alcatraz Concert. It brought back such feelings of warmth and well-being for me - to realize that Mimi Farina had once bgeen in the world and had employed her massive gifts for promoting good (exactly like the rest of her family).
___
So loved Mimi. I was honored to sing with her a couple of times while my friend James and I volunteered with Bread&Roses (back in the 1970's). I still listen to Mimi's music, and miss her gentle soul. I feel so honored to receive your posts.
___
Annie Sampson
I miss Mimi! She was so wonderful to work with! She always came to my show when she booked me to play for her, and the shut in people she supposed! What a sweet heart! Gone way to soon!♥♥♥
___
Richard Beban
I got to hang out with Mimi in the summer of '84, when she was in a movie filmed in Mill Valley made from a really bad screenplay I wrote. I addition to being beautiful, and completely down-to-earth, she was a droll, gut-busting storyteller who kept me continuously laughing. Some of the tales of growing up with "Saint Joan" were particularly amazing.
We went to the Marin County Fair together that year, and saw everything from prize livestock to high school drill teams, and she had a trenchant, funny comment about each.
I'm misty, too, thinking about her.
I got to hang out with Mimi in the summer of '84, when she was in a movie filmed in Mill Valley made from a really bad screenplay I wrote. I addition to being beautiful, and completely down-to-earth, she was a droll, gut-busting storyteller who kept me continuously laughing. Some of the tales of growing up with "Saint Joan" were particularly amazing.
We went to the Marin County Fair together that year, and saw everything from prize livestock to high school drill teams, and she had a trenchant, funny comment about each.
I'm misty, too, thinking about her.
___
Michael D Hinton
one of the kindest people I ever worked with ♥
one of the kindest people I ever worked with ♥
____
Clay Cotton
Count me in that long line of adorers. (thx David) - we met when i once played a napa mental hospital Bread & Roses gig w musselwhite - and backstage she gave me a spontaneous manicure...
_____
She had that special gift of making the person she was sharing time with feel as though they were the most important person in the world for that little while. Rare and wonderful.
_____
Michele Bondi
She was so beautiful. My fondest memory was when we were all waiting for a Joan Baez concert to start at Frost Amplitheater, I was sitting on the grass with Tia, Joan Sr. Pauline and Mimi. They were all so beautiful!
_____
We had the most fun creating Bread and Roses. She always made the day to day work fun. What a great sense of humor - I loved how she would tease, particularly about men!
_____
Steven R. Ladd
She was an amazing force and person. Still have the posters of the concerts she did for WRL/West. And very fond memories of the Bread and Roses Concerts at the Greek.
Steven R. Ladd
She was an amazing force and person. Still have the posters of the concerts she did for WRL/West. And very fond memories of the Bread and Roses Concerts at the Greek.
_____
Mandy Carter
Steve, I remember that after the very first concert that she did for us for WRL/West she had the poster framed and hanged it in her Mill Valley home. So glad that you've still have them. I remember when she came to Durham, NC to do a benefit concert for War Resisters League/Southeast when I was on staff from 1982-1988. Cost of the concert was $2.50 in advance and $3.00 at the door
_____
Sybil Marcus
my favorite personal memory of her was at a gathering at her house in mill valley and i got to dance with her. still makes my heart skip a beat when i think about it.
_____
Gallivan Burwell
Mimi preceded the hippies, recording two and a half wonderful albums with Richard. They are classics. She was a better guitar player than Joan. No diminishing Mimi or her life of service and accomplishment.
_____
Douglas L. Saunders
I agree. I used to volunteer for Bread & Roses for many years, and she always made it a fun and appreciated effort. Her green eyes were nothing short of amazing. I miss her too. She and her sister would dance with me at the after parties at the. Claremont Hotel after the big Berkeley benefits at the Greek Theater.
Steve, I remember that after the very first concert that she did for us for WRL/West she had the poster framed and hanged it in her Mill Valley home. So glad that you've still have them. I remember when she came to Durham, NC to do a benefit concert for War Resisters League/Southeast when I was on staff from 1982-1988. Cost of the concert was $2.50 in advance and $3.00 at the door
_____
my favorite personal memory of her was at a gathering at her house in mill valley and i got to dance with her. still makes my heart skip a beat when i think about it.
_____
Mickey was delighted to support Mimi Fariña’s Bread&Roses organization, which brings light and music into prisons, hospitals and nursing homes. Mimi was a human rights activist, and altruistic lady, who worked endlessly to help the downtrodden. “Mick loved her so much,” explained Mimi’s friend, Hank Beukema. “Mick cried to me once talking about her”.
Hank Beukema, from the book Mickey Newbury Crystal & Stone
_____
Mimi preceded the hippies, recording two and a half wonderful albums with Richard. They are classics. She was a better guitar player than Joan. No diminishing Mimi or her life of service and accomplishment.
_____
Douglas L. Saunders
I agree. I used to volunteer for Bread & Roses for many years, and she always made it a fun and appreciated effort. Her green eyes were nothing short of amazing. I miss her too. She and her sister would dance with me at the after parties at the. Claremont Hotel after the big Berkeley benefits at the Greek Theater.
_____
John Morris
Thanks, I got to meet both sisters (and their father) on separate occasions. Mimi took time to talk with me and my friends at a benefit concert sometime mid-80's. Mimi's albums recorded with male partners contained some great music.
Don West
~ had the opportunity to chat with her backstage at one of Tom Rush's Club 47 reunion concerts at Symphony Hall in Boston....many moons ago....a warm and lovely person
Vecchio Nanner
Boy do I miss Mimi. There is nobody anywhere with whom I have giggled so much. She was a champion giggler as well as a fine musician.
Cathryn Hrudicka
I was fortunate to be at this memorable Bread & Roses concert at the Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley, and I worked in several capacities at at least three B&R concerts as part of the crew. I also got to sing harmonies with Joan Baez and Mimi Farina, and their mother, Joan Sr., when I was seated for breakfast at their table in the Claremont Hotel, and they started singing — so many wonderful memories!
_____
Martin Cohen
I did many concerts for Bread & Roses and Mimi reciprocated in a huge way.
David Gault
In 92 Mimi was in a hiking group with Goldie Rush, Janis Bain, Jon McIntire and sometimes me. Naturally I can't remember anything anyone said, except the leader was called "Trail Bitch."
Edward Fox
Today is the birthday of Mimi Fariña. Recently a friend asked me if there was one folksinger about who I had nothing caty to say. Although I think the question was a little harsh, the answer was easy: Mimi. She was a sweetheart, and a delight to know. In later years she moved to San Francisco and started Bread and Roses, which brought live music to people in institutions, such as prisons and hospitals. When inmates were released, she helped them to use music to better their lives. She died in 2001, much too soon; the world is poorer for the lack of her presence and her smile. To quote Dave van Ronk, she was a friend of mine.
Susy Varian Hammond
Wonderful words. I met Mimi in 1966, the summer after Richard Farina had died. I was visited friends, Don and Rosa Donna in Carmel, and she came to dinner. I was 15. I was in awe. She was singing with Tom Jans when I saw her at UC Davis. I went to many of the Bread and Roses concerts in later years. Wonderful lady.
Phil Allen
I was struck dumb by her beauty when I ran into her in the kitchen of the Gaslight I put out my hand to shake hers and she put a sponge in it, I laughed, maybe I should have cried.
John Morris
Thanks, I got to meet both sisters (and their father) on separate occasions. Mimi took time to talk with me and my friends at a benefit concert sometime mid-80's. Mimi's albums recorded with male partners contained some great music.
_____
~ had the opportunity to chat with her backstage at one of Tom Rush's Club 47 reunion concerts at Symphony Hall in Boston....many moons ago....a warm and lovely person
_____
Boy do I miss Mimi. There is nobody anywhere with whom I have giggled so much. She was a champion giggler as well as a fine musician.
_____
I was fortunate to be at this memorable Bread & Roses concert at the Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley, and I worked in several capacities at at least three B&R concerts as part of the crew. I also got to sing harmonies with Joan Baez and Mimi Farina, and their mother, Joan Sr., when I was seated for breakfast at their table in the Claremont Hotel, and they started singing — so many wonderful memories!
_____
I did many concerts for Bread & Roses and Mimi reciprocated in a huge way.
_____
In 92 Mimi was in a hiking group with Goldie Rush, Janis Bain, Jon McIntire and sometimes me. Naturally I can't remember anything anyone said, except the leader was called "Trail Bitch."
_____
David Gault
Wait - I've got another. One night at the Maritime/Family Dog Goldie's son was at the backstage door for a Willie Nelson gig. He saw me and waved me in. Mimi was standing by herself and I started talking with her. Willie comes upstairs from the bus, sees Mimi, walks past everyone in the room to greet her first. But, I'm 6'5" and standing alone with her, so first he introduces himself to me with a handshake! That's one of my best "hangs out with musicians" stories, I think.
Wait - I've got another. One night at the Maritime/Family Dog Goldie's son was at the backstage door for a Willie Nelson gig. He saw me and waved me in. Mimi was standing by herself and I started talking with her. Willie comes upstairs from the bus, sees Mimi, walks past everyone in the room to greet her first. But, I'm 6'5" and standing alone with her, so first he introduces himself to me with a handshake! That's one of my best "hangs out with musicians" stories, I think.
_____
She was a beautiful example of love for all human beings.
_____
Mimi was so wonderful and what a wicked sense of humor!
_____
Edward Fox
Today is the birthday of Mimi Fariña. Recently a friend asked me if there was one folksinger about who I had nothing caty to say. Although I think the question was a little harsh, the answer was easy: Mimi. She was a sweetheart, and a delight to know. In later years she moved to San Francisco and started Bread and Roses, which brought live music to people in institutions, such as prisons and hospitals. When inmates were released, she helped them to use music to better their lives. She died in 2001, much too soon; the world is poorer for the lack of her presence and her smile. To quote Dave van Ronk, she was a friend of mine.
_____
Wonderful words. I met Mimi in 1966, the summer after Richard Farina had died. I was visited friends, Don and Rosa Donna in Carmel, and she came to dinner. I was 15. I was in awe. She was singing with Tom Jans when I saw her at UC Davis. I went to many of the Bread and Roses concerts in later years. Wonderful lady.
_____
Phil Allen
I was struck dumb by her beauty when I ran into her in the kitchen of the Gaslight I put out my hand to shake hers and she put a sponge in it, I laughed, maybe I should have cried.
_____
Nancy Northrup
I am deeply honored to be a part of Bread and Roses begun by Mimi Farina as a music outreach to those in our society who can benefit from the peace and healing of music. This has been a dream of mine for many years. Such a beautiful community of musicians reaching out to make this world a better place. Thank you Bread and Roses.
Terry Ware
Throwback Thursday. 1973. I just found this image Steve Brooks put on a post of Judy Hubbard's. I've talked about the nights we did with Mimi Farina a time or two on Facebook. Mimi asked me to play a couple of songs with her each night. She was an angel. I was a bit smitten. Okay, I was a lot smitten.
Jeff Goldenberg
I wrote to you many years ago about a special evening I spent with Mimi at The Bitter End; she headlined with Ramblin' Jack Elliot, and I brought my dulcimer to the show, met her backstage and played a few tunes ( I recall one was Tuileries and another was one I wrote for Richard). She was very emotional, happy and sad, and brought me out on stage for her set. I played a few songs as she quietly stood at the side of the stage.....it was a beautiful experience - I'd been inspired to play because of their music and she was so kind and sweet. I'll always cherish that time with her.
Magne
I sat beside Mimi on the stage of a festival workshop in 1979 and when I sang Old Ida - about a widow and how she deals with grief - Mimi Farina reached over during the applause to put a warm hand on my back. I can still feel it there, sometimes.
RosyjFox
When I saw Joan Baez in Staten Island, maybe 15 years ago maybe even 20, she talked about Mimi, told a few touching stories, told us how Mimi was so insisted on seeing Joan sing that they put a bed in the balcony for her (she died soon after).
Kenneth Minasian
A close friend put together a concert in Santa Cruz back in the 80's and Mimi was one of the performers along with the Paul Winter Consort. I attended a pre-concert dinner where Mimi sat next to me. She was quiet but very respectful and did a beautiful set later in the evening...so sad she's gone now.
- Paul Wilner, Editor, San Francisco Examiner Magazine
Dec. 17, 1995
David Lescht, director of Outside In in Santa Fe
"Mimi was not only an inspiration but a mentor and shining light for us. I hope it gave her comfort to know that (her work continues to touch) many lives in difficult circumstances, as far away as the mountains and deserts of New Mexico."
Howard Schatz (Photographer)
Suzanne Badenhoop
"Mimi invited me into her life in a way that no one has ever done before," Badenhoop said. "And my life is richer because of that intimacy." Badenhoop said Ms. Farina "always took care of those taking care of her."
_____
Rick Turner
While she was fantastic with her charitable work for which she is probably best remembered, the thing that sticks with me is her laugh. She loved humor, she loved to laugh, and when she and her sister got together, it could get utterly ridiculous. And she was one hell of a musician.
_____
Robin Petrie
Yes, I remember playing at a fancy private Bread and Roses party at the Mill Valley Art Club in the late 80s and I got to witness Mimi and Joan and their mother all hanging out together. Fabulous, brilliant women. How cool that she wanted Irish music for that event!
_____
Noah Oopswrongplanet Henderson
Mimi was so nervous to sing publicly, but she marched on. She was a real trooper in support of all that the 3 sisters stood for. Pauline however, really didn't want to do it at all though she made a few appearances. Both Mimi's and Pauline's laughs could be wicked in their own way. Delightful.
_____
Jo Ann Hdleston
Nancy Northrup
I am deeply honored to be a part of Bread and Roses begun by Mimi Farina as a music outreach to those in our society who can benefit from the peace and healing of music. This has been a dream of mine for many years. Such a beautiful community of musicians reaching out to make this world a better place. Thank you Bread and Roses.
_____
Throwback Thursday. 1973. I just found this image Steve Brooks put on a post of Judy Hubbard's. I've talked about the nights we did with Mimi Farina a time or two on Facebook. Mimi asked me to play a couple of songs with her each night. She was an angel. I was a bit smitten. Okay, I was a lot smitten.
_____
Jeff Goldenberg
I wrote to you many years ago about a special evening I spent with Mimi at The Bitter End; she headlined with Ramblin' Jack Elliot, and I brought my dulcimer to the show, met her backstage and played a few tunes ( I recall one was Tuileries and another was one I wrote for Richard). She was very emotional, happy and sad, and brought me out on stage for her set. I played a few songs as she quietly stood at the side of the stage.....it was a beautiful experience - I'd been inspired to play because of their music and she was so kind and sweet. I'll always cherish that time with her.
Stephen.cvengros
I once saw Mimi in Detroit open for someone. She was memorable.
Played an encore declaring: They told me if I went offstage and touched the back wall and you were still clapping, I should do an encore.
_____
I sat beside Mimi on the stage of a festival workshop in 1979 and when I sang Old Ida - about a widow and how she deals with grief - Mimi Farina reached over during the applause to put a warm hand on my back. I can still feel it there, sometimes.
_____
When I saw Joan Baez in Staten Island, maybe 15 years ago maybe even 20, she talked about Mimi, told a few touching stories, told us how Mimi was so insisted on seeing Joan sing that they put a bed in the balcony for her (she died soon after).
_____
A close friend put together a concert in Santa Cruz back in the 80's and Mimi was one of the performers along with the Paul Winter Consort. I attended a pre-concert dinner where Mimi sat next to me. She was quiet but very respectful and did a beautiful set later in the evening...so sad she's gone now.
_____
From the book: Sound Man, by Glyn Johns
In June, having delivered Steve’s Beatle boots, we were in to record Your Saving Grave. On the evening of July 3rd (1969), I was working in the studio with the Seteve Miller Band when there was a polite knock on the control room door, which I opened to reveal a stunningly beautiful young woman. She apologized for the intrusion and, having introduced herself as Mimi Fariña, explained that she had just heard that Brian Jones had died that day. Habing been told that I was working with Steve, she felt obliged to come and break the sad news to me in person. I was shocked and saddened at the news, which was somewhat mitigated by Mimi’s being so kind and thoughtful as to take the time to come and deliver it.
_____
Dec. 17, 1995
"On an (even more) personal note, it's doubly pleasurable to showcase Mimi Farina's good works. As a mere stripling lad, I vividly remember seeing her and her late husband, Richard, play at what was then San Francisco State College. Their sweet, high-spirited tunes echoed across a generation. It's good to report that Ms. Farina has picked up the pieces from Richard's tragic, prototypically mid-'60s death, and continued the work they both were committed to. This is indeed cause for celebration on many a grey day." | Source
_____
"Mimi was not only an inspiration but a mentor and shining light for us. I hope it gave her comfort to know that (her work continues to touch) many lives in difficult circumstances, as far away as the mountains and deserts of New Mexico."
_____
I photographed Mimi for this book:
We made images in Golden Gate Park’s rose garden and my studio.
I recall that she was warm, sweet and fun .
_____
Suzanne Badenhoop
"Mimi invited me into her life in a way that no one has ever done before," Badenhoop said. "And my life is richer because of that intimacy." Badenhoop said Ms. Farina "always took care of those taking care of her."
_____
Rick Turner
While she was fantastic with her charitable work for which she is probably best remembered, the thing that sticks with me is her laugh. She loved humor, she loved to laugh, and when she and her sister got together, it could get utterly ridiculous. And she was one hell of a musician.
_____
Robin Petrie
Yes, I remember playing at a fancy private Bread and Roses party at the Mill Valley Art Club in the late 80s and I got to witness Mimi and Joan and their mother all hanging out together. Fabulous, brilliant women. How cool that she wanted Irish music for that event!
_____
Noah Oopswrongplanet Henderson
Mimi was so nervous to sing publicly, but she marched on. She was a real trooper in support of all that the 3 sisters stood for. Pauline however, really didn't want to do it at all though she made a few appearances. Both Mimi's and Pauline's laughs could be wicked in their own way. Delightful.
_____
Jo Ann Hdleston
I met both of them in Marshall CA in 1970. At the Marshall Hotel on Tamales Bay. I actually hung out with Mimi some. She was plagued by bad headaches then. I loved Richard Farina's writing and both of their song selections for the albums.
_____
Michael De Jong
Robin Petrie Met her thanks to Barry Melton. My first gig for her
was a Christmas Eve show for a roomful of disabled children.
BEST Christmas I can remember....
_____
Beth Ahlgren
Sweet! Young energy! Listening her the last couple of days in the car to and from work (thanks to Patti Maxine and Marilyn Marzell). That voice, that voice. Filling Unknown spaces. Her heart seemed to know only goodness. Such a pure focused heart. A lot to meditate on as I drive to work by folks coming from their nightly campsites, and home as they retreat to them. A bit of an angel she was, I think.
_____
Paul Michael Honeycutt
I did sound for Mimi and Banana at the Sounds Amusing Coffeehouse in Berkeley years ago. The guy who organized the coffeehouse, Alan Dick, worked at Bread & Roses and got "his boss" to come play. I was a bit in awe of her. I'll have to pick up that recording. I can't remember if I recorded that show myself. We usually had the cassette deck running. That was my first regular sound gig and a good time in my life.
_____
Robert A. Steinegger
- I met Mimi several times - a very special person indeed! Also met Banana once or twice. I WILL get the album, and glad to help B&R!
____
Michael De Jong
Robin Petrie Met her thanks to Barry Melton. My first gig for her
was a Christmas Eve show for a roomful of disabled children.
BEST Christmas I can remember....
_____
Beth Ahlgren
Sweet! Young energy! Listening her the last couple of days in the car to and from work (thanks to Patti Maxine and Marilyn Marzell). That voice, that voice. Filling Unknown spaces. Her heart seemed to know only goodness. Such a pure focused heart. A lot to meditate on as I drive to work by folks coming from their nightly campsites, and home as they retreat to them. A bit of an angel she was, I think.
_____
Paul Michael Honeycutt
I did sound for Mimi and Banana at the Sounds Amusing Coffeehouse in Berkeley years ago. The guy who organized the coffeehouse, Alan Dick, worked at Bread & Roses and got "his boss" to come play. I was a bit in awe of her. I'll have to pick up that recording. I can't remember if I recorded that show myself. We usually had the cassette deck running. That was my first regular sound gig and a good time in my life.
_____
Robert A. Steinegger
- I met Mimi several times - a very special person indeed! Also met Banana once or twice. I WILL get the album, and glad to help B&R!
____
Noah Oopswrongplanet Henderson
I remember visiting the family in Redlands, and Mimi was so very kind to me. I've never seen her otherwise. What a beautiful person, inside and out.
_____
Lana Severn
"Mimi was an inspiration to many people all over the world - far more than she ever understood."
Karana Drayton
A musical highlight for me was singing backup to Mimi for the finale at a Stern Grove summer concert. Wish I could find the photo... she was a very very special person.
_____
"Carl was now living, unemployed, in a swanky apartment on Telegraph Hill. One weekend, he took me and son Tim (seven years of age) to see his “pad”—and he began to talk about a beautiful woman he’d met who lived just opposite him. Carl decided on the spot to invite her to meet us—which he did.
The woman was home, and he brought her over to his apartment. She turned out to be “beautiful” indeed, stunningly so. The woman was Mimi Farina, sister of Joan Baez, and wife, now widow, of writer Richard Farina, known as “the lost genius who bridged the gap between beats and hippies,”(...)
In Carl Mangold’s apartment, Mimi Farina sat in an armless cushioned chair affectionately holding my seven year old son Tim on her lap (a situation, he thoroughly enjoyed, as well as me), and, when I mentioned that I’d just had my first short story published, she told me, softly, that her husband Richard had been a writer too—to which I replied, as softly and respectfully as I could, that I was familiar with his work, as well as the music they had created together. I will never forget that afternoon at Carl’s apartment (Mimi Farina was a stunningly beautiful woman in ways far more meaningful than appearance)."
William Minor
_____
Ah, Mimi Baez Fariña. If you’ve ever seen the Pete Seeger “Rainbow Quest” TV programme with Richard & Mimi Fariña, you know they were in love, and man, she was a lovely soul, indeed. I saw her with Banana, of Youngbloods fame, a couple of times at the Iron Horse & stunning is about all I can say.
Source
------
Source Greg Pennell - from nebula5.org
I save some things for years that mean so much to me. Lo and behold, I remembered that I saved my “Bread and Roses” shirt from 1980, at the Greek Theater, where so many artists and fans came together to benefit Bread & Roses.
I was 29 years old then, and I am now 71.
So many wonderful memories.
In 1976, I felt so honored to be able to visit their office, to play guitar and sing with my friend James and with Mimi a time or two at convalescent hospitals, and other facilities.
I am so honored to have been able to contribute in some small way.
-------
I was 29 years old then, and I am now 71.
So many wonderful memories.
In 1976, I felt so honored to be able to visit their office, to play guitar and sing with my friend James and with Mimi a time or two at convalescent hospitals, and other facilities.
I am so honored to have been able to contribute in some small way.
Mrs. Debby Leung
-------
"Shortly after moving to Santa Cruz, I made an appointment with Mimi Fariña to present her with a copy of the book.As she scanned through the work, she stopped on the page that had an illustration of a woman in a cabin in Big Sur cooking on an old wood stove. As this image was based on Richard's liner notes, I realized it was her. Mimi stared at the picture for a minute, and I could tell she was moved by it. She thanked me for producing the book but told me it was really all his music. "I was nineteen when we recorded these albums, it seems like a different life ago," she said."
Neal Hellman (acclaimed mountain dulcimer performer and teacher)
-------
"In an interview, Mimi said, 'I could see the need to bring music to people who are confined or suffering or not in touch with the outside world. You don't have to preach . . . , you just have to be there and make the music. It gets through on another level than medication or punishment . . . the whole work of Bread & Roses, performing for convicts in prison, seniors who are isolated, children in kids' wards who many never come back out ... I try to make some sort of community for them.'
"The positive thing about the burning out of a star in the universe is that you continue to perceive its light for, possibly, millions of years. I believe this is the case with Mimi, her work will span many generations from now ad infinitum.
Lana Severn
-------
Thanks for the fine piece about Mimi's life trajectory. As I have mentioned here before, I was lucky enough to have met her. Mimi's beautiful, tranquil expression, and dark eyes that seemed to have starlight glimmering, was overwhelming. When she looked at you, you felt like the only other person in the world.
Mark Wilke
-------
I met her a few times whn we were perfoming for Bread&Roses (70s) and I admired "both" the Mimis...The tough, get it done but schedule it right boss of the house and the sweet voiced, loving character she was. I guess there was really only One Mimi with all those facets to her being. Plus, at least for me, she was very encouraging.
Robert Van Peer
-------
We saw Mimi when she was singing at the Golden Bear in Hunting Beach, California in the early 1970's. She sang a great song that she had just written called "California". I liked it so much we bought a small tape recorder the next night. My friend and I learned it and would sing it when we performed. Fast forward a few years, We moved to Northern California and found about Bread & Roses. We went to audition and had no idea Mimi would be there. She was in another office. We sang her California and she came running out of her office. She was so grateful and asked if she could record us singing her songs. From that time on she always would have us open for her at Bread and Roses. A few years later we moved away but never forgot our experience at B&R. Mimi was a kind and beautiful person.
James Fuhring
-------
I corresponded and met Mimi while writing about her and Richard. She was kind enough to let me interview her a number of times and even let me volunteer at Bread&Roses. I have some of my work on my web site: willmarston.com
Will Marston
-------
“What attracted me at first was the magic of Mimi Fariña, who could move people with such grace and charisma,” “She had all those great attributes of being innovative and persuasive.”
Dave Perron
-------
“She was so positive and outgoing and sincere and humorous, everybody loved her and wanted to help out with whatever ideas she had.”
Banana
-------
“Mimi filled empty souls with hope and song,” “She held the aged and forgotten in her light. She reminded prisoners that they were human beings with names and not just numbers.”
Joan Baez
-------
I saw them perform at SF State College a week or so before Richard was killed. A couple of weeks after that Mimi, her sister Joan and many others were at an amazing festival at Big Sur, a festival I will never forget. I was able to talk with her there. She was wonderful, even in grief.
Jerry Fabiano
-------
She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen when I met her in 1973. She sang at a music club/vegetarian restaurant coop called Good Karma that I was part of in Madison ,Wisconsin. She was sharing the bill with Leon Redbone. She was so sweet and friendly and the opposite of Redbone.
Deborah Petrarca
-------
I met Mimi at Club Passim In Harvard Square, back in the 70’s, when she was preforming there and I was working with Philo Records. She was very down to earth and nice to talk with.
Philip Hresko
-------
"We all wish Mimi was still around to light up out lives."
Lee Brenkman
-----
"I only met Mimi a couple of times, and found her delightful. We was taken from us entirely, entirely too soon."
Tom Mulhern
-----
"One of my fav live shows was Mimi Fariña performing in a small cafe/bar one snowy, winter night at the Royal Albert Arms in Winnipeg maybe 1980, magical night, incredible to hear her voice."
Wendy Picken
-----
"Mimi was so sweet, I met her many times"
Victor Lord
-----
"Saw Mimi Fariña as opening act for Gordon Lightfoot, many years ago. She was a delightful entertainer..."
Terry Collins
-----
"I saw Mimi perform solo at a small venue in Denver in 1973. I was only familiar with the album she did with Tom Jans, Take Heart. She was great, and also friendly. She talked with fans during the break."
R. Banford Exley
-----
She was so unassuming and friendly. She’d come sit at your table sometimes at shows and if you didn’t know who she was, you’d never guess she was a ‘celebrity.’
Donna Embler
-----
I was so fortunate to meet both Mimi and Richard whn they came over to Cynthia Williams home right after their (1965) concert at Big Sur. Richard was kind enough to let me hold and play his dulcimer, but it was Mimi who held everyone's attention. She was just lovely, positively glowing. It was clear how happy and in love she was. To my young self she seemed like an angel. And those around her basked in her glow. That is how I'll always remember that remarkable young woman. I talked with Pete years later at Clearwater babout her, and that is how he said he remembered her as well.
Mark Wilke
-----
No comments:
Post a Comment