Arlo Guthrie’s Wife Dies

Married to Arlo Guthrie for 43 years, Jackie Guthrie passed away from inoperable cancer Sunday morning at the age of 68. In a posting on his website, Arlo Guthrie described the marriage as a “great love that we shared from the moment we met.”

Photo: Rising on Records / AP Photo

In Haleiwa, Hawaii, in 1999.

Guthrie met Jackie Hyde in 1968 when she was working as a cashier at Hollywood’s Troubadour nightclub. They married one year later on the front lawn of “The Farm,” a 250-acre piece of land the couple had purchased in western Massachusetts that is still owned by the Guthrie family today.

Working as a videographer on Guthrie’s tours, Jackie grew so weak during the Guthrie Family’s summer tour honoring Arlo’s father, Woody Guthrie, that she could barely hold the camera, according to an obituary issued by Guthrie’s label, Rising Son Records. She was diagnosed with liver cancer in September.

Guthrie said Jackie called the family to her bedside Sunday morning.

From Arlo.net:

“This morning Jackie left her body surrounded by her family and a few friends. She called her family to her about 3 this morning to let us know she couldn’t fight any longer. She was at peace with the life and dreams we shared together for almost 45 years. We stayed at her bedside through the morning until about 11:45 when she gently breathed her last breath. She will remain in our hearts and memories as she does for many of you. Thank you for your prayers and notes.”

Photo: Steve Starr / AP Photo

Arlo Guthrie singing “Amazing Grace” to his new bride Jackie Hyde, at their wedding ceremony in Washington, Mass.

Jackie Guthrie is survived by four children with Arlo Guthrie, a daughter with David Crosby and 10 grandchildren.

Regarding Arlo Guthrie’s concert schedule, the folk singer plans to keep most of his upcoming engagements but has had to reschedule a few shows. Saying that his guru, Ma Jay Sati Bhagavati always reminds him to “stay in the moment,” Guthrie will move shows scheduled for this week in Ohio to December. His Oct. 18 gig in Nelsonville has been moved to Dec. 6; Oct. 19 in Kent is now set for Dec. 5 and Middletown on Oct. 20 is now scheduled for Dec. 7.

Guthrie’s tour through Canada scheduled to launch Oct. 23 in Kingston, Ontario, will take place as planned. For more information, visit Arlo.net.