Maier lauds Kennedy Summerfest band leader

Date: June 03, 1900
By: ANNE WAUKAU
Of the: Sentinal Staff

By ANNE WAUKAU
writer

Former Mayor Henry W. Maier remembers David L. Kennedy, who led Maier's International Folk Band in opening Summerfest, as probably the most accomplished musician in Milwaukee's history."

Memorial services will be held Monday for Kennedy, 63, of Mequon, who died of cancer Thursday at St. Mary's Hospital in Milwaukee.

Kennedy entertained in the Milwauke area for more than 40 years. One of his biggest gigs was Summerfest.

Kennedy became the director of the International Folk Band in 1975. The group opened for Summerfest, providing musical accomaniment to Maiers vocals. The band played at conventions and other festivals as well.

Kennedy worked with the band until his death.

"He was able to play 16 instruments and play them well," Maier said in an interview Friday.

"Over and above that, he was one of the finest people I've ever known and one of the easiest people to work with," he said.

"I have yet to meet anyone who worked with him or for him on the band that didn't acknowledge his musical genius."

"He was just as bright and courageous approaching death as he was in life,"Maier added.

Kennedy's mother taught piano, and his father played the violin. At age 4, Kennedy began playing the piano, according to his wife, Lottie.

A graduate of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, Kennedy came to be known as "Mr. Music." He founded the Dave Kennedy Band and ran the Dave Kennedy Recording Studios, now at 8006 W. Appleton Ave,. for 32 years.

Kennedy produced on of the first multitrack recordings, titled "All By Myself." It included 64 musical instruments and voices that Kennedy arranged, composed and produced, his wife said.

He also wrote the musical soundtrack for the film"We Like It Here," for the state of Wisconsin.

The studio has been used by George Gobel, Hugh Downs, Bart Starr, Rita Moreno and former Gov. Patrick Lucey. The studio is now operated by his sons.

Services will be 7 p.m. Monday at Crossroads Presbyterian Church in Mequon. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Diane Sigala of Ridgecrest, Calif.; and five sons, David Jr. of Clearwater Fla.; Darryl of Mequon, Douglas of Boulder Colo.; and Dean and Duane, both of Mequon: and two brothers.