corner graphic
   title graphic
 

navigation button 1navigation button 2navigation button 3navigation button 4navigation button 5navigation button 6navigation button 7navigation button 8navigation button 9
black filler imageblack filler imageblack filler imageblack filler imageblack filler image

 

 
— Remembering Dallas Bartley —


On November 11, 1979, Dallas Bartley made his last public appearance at a concert in Springfield's Christ Church Unity. After that concert, Bartley, who was 63 years old at the time, entered the hospital for leg surgery. While in the hospital, he died of an apparent heart attack.

ObituaryAt his funeral an overflow crowd gathered to pay their final respects. Among the mourners was Katherine Lederer, longtime friend and professor at Missouri State University. In her eulogy, Dr. Lederer spoke of her friendship with Dallas and his career. Read the complete eulogy.

After Bartley's death, his friends and fans held a memorial concert in order to raise money for his tombstone. Almost $600 was raised when some 500 people came to the Crystal Room of the Kentwood Arms Hotel to hear Springfield musicians and friends perform a tribute to Bartley.

Five Guys Named Moe
The Tony Award-winning musical, Five Guys Named Moe, based on the life and music of Louis Jordan, was produced on Broadway in 1992. In his performances, Jordan used different "Moe" nicknames for his bandmates. Because Bartley wore glasses, he became "Four-Eyed Moe."


Blue Note awardToday, nearly twenty-five years after Dallas Bartley's death, we continue to remember him through his music and the historical materials he left behind. In September 2003, the Blues Society of the Ozarks presented a posthumous Blue Note Award to Dallas Bartley at the annual Ozarks Blues Festival.. These awards are presented to persons influential to the perpetuation of the Blues in the Ozarks. Shown at the presentation of the award are Dr. Katherine Lederer, Larry Coleman (Dallas Bartley's nephew), Kim Evans (BSO Hospitality) and Michael C. Wallace (President of BSO). (Photo courtesy of Rod Miller.)

Researchers wishing to learn more about the Dallas Bartley Collection may contact the Missouri State University Special Collections and Archives Department.

 

Go to next page

 

This online exhibit is from the
Special Collections and Archives Department,
Missouri State University
Springfield, Missouri.
Visit the department's website.

No part of this site may be reproduced
without written permission from the Archives.

This exhibit was last updated on May 18, 2006.