David LaFlamme obit

David LaFlamme, Leader of San Francisco’s It’s a Beautiful Day, Dies

 

He was not on the list.

David LaFlamme, the violinist and singer who led It’s a Beautiful Day, the San Francisco band of “White Bird” fame, has died. His passing yesterday (Aug. 7, 2023) was confirmed by a niece, Chantelle LaFlamme, on Facebook, who wrote, “Thought there might be some people in this group that would know my uncle David LaFlamme from the band It’s a Beautiful Day. He passed away yesterday. Now he can play for his momma in heaven.” No cause or place of death has been reported, although LaFlamme had been battling Parkinson’s disease for some time. He was 82.

It’s a Beautiful Day was formed in 1967 with David LaFlamme playing violin, an instrument that was still unusual within a rock band in that era, along with his wife Linda LaFlamme on keyboards, vocalist Pattie Santos, guitarist Hal Wagenet, bassist Mitchell Holman, and drummer Val Fuentes. The band was booked often at local San Francisco area venues by promoters such as Bill Graham and Chet Helms, and was signed to Columbia Records, releasing its self-titled debut album in 1969. That LP included the track “White Bird,” written by both LaFlammes, which became an FM radio staple due in large part to its stirring instrumental break dominated by David LaFlamme’s soaring violin solo.

The second album by It’s a Beautiful Day, 1970’s Marrying Maiden, included a guest appearance by fellow San Franciscan Jerry Garcia on two tracks, playing banjo and pedal steel guitar. Two more Columbia studio releases, 1971’s Choice Quality Stuff/Anytime and 1973’s It’s a Beautiful Day… Today, followed, along with the live It’s a Beautiful Day at Carnegie Hall in ’72.

David LaFlamme was born May 4, 1941, in New Britain, Connecticut, but grew up mostly in Salt Lake City, Utah. He moved to San Francisco after a stint in the Army, where he formed the band with his then-wife Linda. (The couple split in 1969 and Linda left the band.)

LaFlamme also appeared on the television shows Frasier, Ellen, and Wings, as a strolling violinist who stands right at the table in a restaurant, playing loudly or annoyingly.