Adam Kirk profile
Joan Baez at Bristol 27/11/97 Islander Adam Kirk on top form

Adam Kirk on tour with Joan Baez in America

The Carnegie Hall story

It is long overdue here to comment on Adam Kirk's part in Joan Baez's 1998 American tour which has been split into two parts. After playing guitar for Joan Baez's Europen tour Adam was offered the chance to play the American tour.

For anyone who saw the Joan Baez European shows they will know that Adam was playing with his trademark dedication to music.

On the American tour the Islander has been making his mark too. In Chicago someone posted to the Townes Van Zandt internet discussion group to say that they had just heard "A fantastic guitarist called Adam Kirk from the Isle of Wight."

At a show in Concord, New Hampshire, Joan Baez teased Adam on stage. "Were in your hands Adam." "I'm waiting for Rich," came the reply (As Richard Shindell continues to talk about the next song). Baez drops into her Dickensian English accent "I'm waiting for Rich, oh he's so bloody polite . . ." Howls of laughter. At the same concert Joan Baez would confirm that it was important to get on as people when you are travelling with each others socks.

Further testimony to Adam being part of the family can be found on the Joan Baez website where the tour diary reveals what the first lady of American folk and her band have been up to. A couple of great shots of Adam Kirk too.

Check out: Joan Baez American tour diary
and the full website at:
Joan Baez website

The Carnegie Hall story

One story not on the Joan Baez website because it is personal to Adam Kirk is the following. We have, as yet only heard it second hand but Adam's dad Mickey Kirk confirmed the story recently. It goes something like this:

Adam was taking a pre concert shower when the phone rang in his New York hotel room. When he answered the phone he found it was his mum on the line. We're told that the conversation went something like this:

"Mum its going to be great playing Carnegie Hall tonight. I wish you could have been here."

"Adam I'm downstairs in the foyer . . ."

Adams mum had decided to fly to New York, get some tickets and be there. Now that's what we call style around here.

Mike Plumbley

Adam Kirk profile
Joan Baez at Bristol 27/11/97 Islander Adam Kirk on top form