An imposing deep-voiced Californian who told tales of the new American West, a harsh land populated by lonesome ne’er-do-wells.
Stewart’s commercial success was fleeting, but no matter. He is rightly revered as a forerunner of what became known as Americana.
Beginning in The Kingston Trio, Stewart’s claims to fame include writing Daydream Believer (a mega-hit for The Monkees), recording a fine album (1969’s California Bloodlines), and the massive 1979 US solo hit Gold (which he recorded with Fleetwood Mac‘s Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham on backing vocals).