Why did Jimmy Ibbotson leave Nitty Gritty Dirt Band?

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Since the 1960s, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has been a consistent presence in live performances. Over the years, they’ve explored various music genres such as country, folk, rock, and even progressive rock. Although they are considered a cult band, internal disputes among its members have not been absent from their journey.

Over time, various musicians have joined and left The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, among them being Jackson Browne, a talented singer-songwriter. However, it’s Jimmy Ibbotson who experienced the most significant departure from the band.

Jimmy Ibbotson left the band in 2009

Between 1970 and 1976, Ibbotson played bass for Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, a period that encompassed some of their most cherished albums. After a short break, he re-joined the band in 1983 and remained until 2009, leading many to believe his tenure would be prolonged.

2010 marked a downturn in our situation. It seemed that our bassist had grown weary of touring with us, and expressed his dissatisfaction with the rest of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. After leaving the band, he received a letter from a fan, which he addressed through the Aspen Daily News.

It’s worth noting that few band members have been as candid about their experiences with former bandmates as Jimmy Ibbotson. He unequivocally expressed his disdain for his latter years, and has no intention of joining The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band for future tours.

Ibbotson grew tired of the touring endlessly

He shared with readers that he handled the band’s financial issues by purchasing two homes, each equipped with a recording studio. All he needed was to conceal his drug use from the drummer so he could have earned more money this year through bigger paychecks.

Ibbotson encouraged the writer of the letter to prioritize their self-respect and avoid wasting years on something they didn’t find fulfilling. His advice mirrored his own feelings about working with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, which he later regretted. “Act now,” the seasoned bassist insisted firmly. “No amount of money is worth compromising your self-respect.

Besides Ibbotson, another original member, John McEuen, parted ways with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in more recent times. It was in the year 2017 that McEuen made his exit. As one of the founding members dating back to 1966, McEuen wrote a memoir recounting his experiences within the band, which was published in 2018.

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2025-01-30 23:00