Steve Arkin

(banjo - 1964)

Born: 5/1/1944    Died: 8/24/2022

As a Blue Grass Boy: Steve Arkin played with Monroe in the summer of 1964; he furthered the melodic banjo style pioneered by Bill Keith. Monroe later said that he played "the best back-up banjo I have ever heard."

Before and After: Shortly after leaving the Blue Grass Boys, Arkin left music for several years. In the 70s he played with Northern Lights. He now lives in New York and plays primarily old time music.

Links: Interview by "Banjo Ben" Freed (via archive.org)
Obituary in Bluegrass Today