Eric Weissberg (July 16, 1939 – March 22, 2021) was an American folk, bluegrass, and country musician best known as a banjo player and for his role in the 1972 hit instrumental “Dueling Banjos.” Throughout a career spanning more than six decades, he performed as a solo artist, a session musician, and a member of several folk ensembles.
Early life and education
Eric Weissberg was born in New York City, New York. He began studying music at a young age, learning piano before taking up the banjo, mandolin, and guitar. He received formal training at the Juilliard School of Music, where he studied composition and performance.
Career
Folk groups
In the early 1960s, Weissberg co‑founded the folk group the Tarriers, achieving modest commercial success with recordings such as “The Banana Boat Song.” He later joined other folk ensembles, including the New Lost City Ramblers, contributing his multi‑instrumental skills.
Session work
Weissberg became a sought‑after session musician in New York’s recording studios. He performed on recordings by artists such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Peter, Paul and Mary, providing banjo, mandolin, and guitar accompaniment.
“Dueling Banjos”
Weissberg’s most widely recognized work came after he recorded a new version of the instrumental “Dueling Banjos” with guitarist Stephen Stills for the soundtrack of the 1972 film Deliverance. Released as a single, the track reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance.
Solo recordings
From the 1970s onward, Weissberg released several solo albums that showcased a range of American roots music, including Bluegrass Banjo (1975) and The Folk Instrumentalist (1982). He continued to tour extensively, performing at folk festivals and guitar/banjo clinics.
Later life and death
In his later years, Weissberg remained active as a performer and educator, offering workshops on traditional string‑instrument techniques. He died on March 22, 2021, in Madison, Wisconsin, at the age of 81.
Legacy
Weissberg is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in popularizing the banjo within mainstream and folk music contexts. His work on “Dueling Banjos” introduced the instrument to a broad audience, influencing subsequent generations of bluegrass and country musicians. His contributions as a session player are noted for their versatility and technical proficiency.
