On the evening of July 31, 2019, a beautiful voice was stilled. David Charles Utter, age 66, died at Gilchrist Center Baltimore after a period of declining health. He was an accomplished vocalist and musician, considered a stalwart of the Baltimore–Washington music scene since the 1970s. He was born on January 9, 1953 at Coco Solo Naval Air Station near Colón, Panama to Colonel Leon Newby Utter, USMC (deceased) and the late Norma Phyllis Utter (née Freeman). David's ashes were scattered at "The Saddle" on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Patrick County, Virginia. A celebration of his life will be held in Baltimore at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Musicians On Call, which delivers music to patients in healthcare facilities throughout the country.
Glen Lambert
He was a great lead guitarist and lead singer. The Winston Essex Freight Express was the name of the group that I was in with him. Very, very, talented guy. He had a natural God given gift.
David Anderson
I played drums in a garage band with Dave Utter called Blueberry Morning for a number of years. And you're right Glen, he was an amazing singer. With us, he mostly sang and only played guitar about half the time. He played left handed, so when he did play, it was distinctive. Got really interesting when he later played a twelve string.
Dave then joined a MD band called Face Dancer and spent most of his life in music. They played frequently at the Bayou and had local success. The band has been together forever and I think had a couple of albums. They played from time to time in the last decade with Dave as a member. He's in many of the pictures of the band on-line and is still shown on their website.
Dave used to "run away from home" and stay at our house, my mother just thinking he was visiting. I tried to locate him in the last few decades until I found the obit and sent it to Paul. Dave had an older brother named Jack that also went to AHS.
Glen, I also played in the Winston Essex Freight Express for a while. For some reason, I still have a band card with CL6 phone numbers on it.
Kristi Mathias
I had a sort of crush on David Utter following the time he played and sang at a show in the Annandale auditorium (anyone remember the song- was it 'time I get to Phoenix'?). Alas, the plight of rock 'n rollers. I always enjoyed driving past his house on Easton Drive (from my visit to Patty Pedersen, who lived on Atlee Place) and seeing the side fencing that had a wood archway (built by his brother, I think) like it was a ranch. Can't reacall what it said. Late 70s, early 80s, Late 70s or 80s- I ran into him at a club—which led to my inviting him to come with me to a Hirshhorn Museum opening. That turned out to be truly memorable. I'm sure that came about due to my going to club following a wedding that served lots of champagne...it's hard to recall it all in detail. R.I.P. David Utter. You were cool. Kristi Mathias
Kent Hustvedt
I also remember Dave's awesome talents. I was in his band with Glen and before Dave in Jr high and unfortunately I was a drummer without rhythm so I was quickly dismissed.
It was amazing how David could play all of the instruments, he even tried to teach me the drums. Didn't take.
I especially liked his 12 string. And his voice.
Have wondered about him over the years and am glad to hear the he was able to live out his years doing what he loved best. Rest well, good friend.
David Anderson
Casey. I had a feeling that might be you. On the Winston-Essex Freight Express band card I still have, it lists Case at CL6-0415 and Dave at CL6-6252. We had some wild and crazy times in that purcussion room in the back of Doster's band class. Broke a window out during class as I remember.
Kristi. I remember that auditorium thing. Seems like Utter was up there on the stage all by himself with guitar. My recollection is that he sang another song by the same artist, Glen Campbell, called Wichita Lineman. But you are probably correct with the famous By the Time I Get To Phoenix. Maybe he did a few songs. I never understood the circumstances surrounding that performance. I vaguely remember girls crying as they left the show. Powerfull.
Michael Guthrie
Casey and Dave, that percussion session was Mr Doster's nightmare. I remember Him take it the cymbals away from me to wake Skip Suraci up out of a nice sound sleep. 😀
Michael Gassmann
It's funny what we remember. I also clearly recall Dave's performance of By the Time I Get to Phoenix. I can still see him standing by himself on the stage of the AHS auditorium, singing beautifully and playing his guitar left-handed. It made quite an impression on me. If my memory is accurate, he was performing as part of a school-wide talent show, but I don't remember any of the other performers and I don't recall such a show ever happening again. Maybe it took place during our freshman year and then they stopped doing them? I wonder what Dave would have thought if he had known then that his performance would still be remembered fifty years later.
Sam Juliano
Michael, I may be conflating events... but I recall "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" being sung... and I also recall a group called the "Smashed Banana" singing "More"... I remember the lead singer (and maybe the whole group) being from the Class of 1970. It seems like it was indeed a talent show and I would have guessed 1970 but sadly my memory is faulty. Wouldn't Jay Pinner have been there too? Jay and his mastery of the violin were always a fond memory for me watching talent shows going back to Poe! I didn't know David but I DO recall his singing... and that speaks for itself. RIP David.
Kent Hustvedt
Ahhhhh, band class Loved listening to you folks weekend fun stories during our "practice" sessions. Didn't do any enhancements then but loved hearing the stories from those that did. I especially remember the expading french fries at McD's from ......