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Obituaries

John Stewart | Singer, songwriter, 68

    Inquirer
    Published 

John Stewart, 68, a singer and songwriter who helped create the genre called Americana, has died.

Mr. Stewart, best known for writing the Monkees' enduring hit "Daydream Believer," died Saturday at a San Diego hospital after suffering a brain aneurysm, according to a statement on the Kingston Trio's Web site.

Mr. Stewart came to prominence in the 1960s as a member of the Kingston Trio. He left the group shortly before the Monkees released "Daydream Believer" in 1967, then went on to record four dozen solo albums, including

California Bloodlines

and

Bombs Away Dream Babies

.

Still, as with "Daydream Believer," he was likely best known for writing songs for others. He wrote "Runaway Train," a country hit for Roseanne Cash, and "Strange Rivers," which Joan Baez included on her 1992

Play Me Backwards

album.

- AP

    Inquirer