We received word from a reader recently that eminent Wallingford resident Linda Waterfall has died. Linda was a singer and songwriter of some renown who passed away on January 8 after a long illness according to her website. She was 69.
Waterfall’s career spanned several decades — from the seventies until the present. While her Wikipedia page lists her as an “American folk musician,” she described her music as having jazz, blues, rock and classical influences as well. During her long career, she produced an impressive 14 albums beginning with Mary’s Garden in 1977. Her final album, Hometown Girl, was released in 2015 to acclaim.
Waterfall grew up in a musical family graduating from Stanford with a B.A. in visual arts. In addition to performing and composing, she taught song writing and was an instructor at Cornish College from 2005 to 2012.
As deep as her musical roots ran, Waterfall’s roots in our neighborhood were equally deep. We first introduced you to Linda back in 2010, but her years as a Wallingfordian date back at least as far as 1983. Speaking of those early years, she remarked:
Wallingford was a friendly middle class neighborhood back then. I’ve lived on Meridian, Burke and Sunnyside, and while a lot has changed, there is something special about Wallingford (and the Northwest) that has endured. People are at their best when things are small enough that we all can be cared for and can watch out for one another.
Linda was married to Bob Searle who passed away in 2016. According to the Seattle Times obituary, Waterfall is survived by a sister, Susan, brother-in-law and nephew. A “celebration of her life” is planned for March. Details will be posted on the Linda Waterfall website.
I remember seeing Linda Waterfall often at the Fabulous Rainbow Tavern (AKA “The Rainbow”) on 45th, probably sitting in with the Skyboys. This would have been in 1977-1980. The Rainbow was where Floating Bridge brewery is now. She was so talented and easily handled rowdy crowds with her gentle strength and heavenly voice.
I saw her many times with Entropy Service at the Inside Passage. That would have been in the years 74-77.