The 2021 Bisbee Music Hall of Fame Inductees:
The Panther Family: Pat, Sam & Daniele
Their Story
Pat Panther started playing guitar and singing with friends in 9thgrade and formed a folk trio in 10th grade called The Town Criers. She played in a jug band in college and played in another jug band called The Universal Panacea in San Francisco from 1966 to 1968. They played in the area coffee houses and venues. In 1966, they played on the back of a flatbed truck in the anti-Viet Nam War parade from downtown San Francisco to Candlestick Park. Pat then got married, had 2 kids and played music informally around York, PA. She formed in a band called Flashback in the late 80s (Sam, her son, was an early member of this band when he was 15). One memorable performance of this band was playing Duke Ellington’s “Caravan” for an Earth Day performance circa 1989 with Sam on drums and his mentor on congas. Pat has been playing solo gigs since the early 90s and currently plays with some amazing musicians who comprise the Panther Band (herself with Sam and Daniele, Steve Drew and Frank Tornoe). Their music has been dubbed by locals as Death Folk due to Pat’s penchant for writing upbeat songs about death. Pat’s favorite musical influences are Bob Dylan, Mississippi John Hurt, Elizabeth Cotton, Memphis Minnie, Rev. Gary Davis, Moby Grape and Buzz and the Soul Senders.
Sam Panther started playing drums when he was 15 and continued when the family moved to a farm in York County, PA. A talented musician who lived there took Sam under his wing and taught him about rhythm. He then recommended that Pat buy Sam a set of drums because he was showing a talent for drumming. From the start of his drumming career, Pat recognized Sam’s talent for drumming as he practiced after school while she cooked the family dinners and danced around the kitchen. Soon, Sam was performing publicly around Yorkwith bands such as Citizen Kane, BT Cab, the Dave San SoucieBand and other local bands and musicians. After spending a year in LA at the Hollywood Institute of Music, he ended up moving to Bisbee in 2000 to play drums with his uncle, Buzz Pearson.
Daniele pursued her love of singing in her hometown of Denver and moved to Bisbee in 1999 where she became a back-up singer with Buzz and the Soul Senders. Over their years in Bisbee, Sam and Daniele have played separately and together with many other bands and musicians. Many Bisbee residents fondly remember their band Green Machine and their amazing collaborations with Dylan Charles & the Border Crossers, Pat Gahn, Nowhere Man and Whiskey Girl, Mike Montoya and Fatigo. Currently Sam also plays with One Ghost and Big Demon and can also be seen playing with Melissa Reeves & Philip Bynoe, Old Lang Syne, Keith Allen Dennis and many others. Both Sam and Daniele have played and/or sang on many local recordings. Sam has recorded and produced CDs of local bands he has played on including the Panther Band CD Marching Toward the Dust.
And let’s not forget about the next generation of Panthers! Sam and Daniele’s son Dylan, age 15, Pat’s Grandson, is a very talented multi-instrumentalist, singer and artist who has already performed at local Bisbee venues.
And for their contributions to the Bisbee music scene, Pat, Sam and Daniele Panther were inducted into the Bisbee Music Hall of Fame on Sunday, October 3, 2021.
A message from the Panther Family Band
Pat, Sam and Daniele are extremely appreciative of the honor of having been inducted into the Bisbee Music Hall of Fame. They are especially thankful for the years they have played music in Bisbee and for having been able to share the gift of music with some truly talented musicians in their lovely community. They would also like to thank the people of Bisbee for always supporting live music and for coming to celebrate their special day at St. Elmo’s on Oct. 3, 2021.
Posthumous Inductee:
John “Doc” Lambert
John “Doc” Lambert, born December 7, 1943, started playing guitar at age 13 and has been playing music for most of his life, especially in his native Arizona. His early years were spent in Phoenix. John “Doc” Lambert was one of the best “old school” bass players around. He had been involved in numerous recordings with such notables as Dobie Grey, Bread, Waylon Jennings, Phil and The Frantics, one of the biggest acts in Phoenix. He played in California with Dobie Grey of “Give me the beat, boys” fame. He also played with a band called Pollution.
Doc moved to Bisbee about 15 years ago and became the manager of the School House Inn. In Bisbee, he played with several local bands including Thunder Mountain and the Chad West Trio. He was an easy-going and talented musician well-like and respected by his peers.
Doc passed away on Nov. 11, 2020 at the age of 76 after a long battle with cancer. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
John “Doc” Lambert was posthumously inducted into the Bisbee Music Hall of Fame on October 3, 2021.
