A Mentor at Heart
Lonnie Knight’s influence on Minnesota’s music scene runs deeper than his decades-spanning achievements as a songwriter, guitarist, and performer—his spirit and guidance lifted countless local musicians, shaping the community’s heart and sound.
Those who played alongside Lonnie remember him as generous with his time and wisdom, always eager to share the stage or studio with emerging artists. Whether it was by joining a last-minute show for a friend, lending his formidable guitar skills to a new recording, or enthusiastically joining local jam sessions, Lonnie offered mentorship with humility and sincerity. His willingness to play was driven by love for the music and the bonds it created.
Championing Local Talent
Across more than five decades in the Twin Cities and surrounding communities, Lonnie Knight played in legendary regional bands like Jokers Wild, The Hoopsnakes, and City Mouse—each time elevating fellow musicians with his technical skill and encouragement. He helped create a collaborative tradition that allowed both seasoned and aspiring artists to experiment, grow, and find their own voice. Knight was known for celebrating others’ songwriting and even covering their songs, weaving together the musical stories of those around him. In addition to his original music, his album cuts featured songs by local artists including:
Love in the Family – Neal Hapsberg
Across the Fire – Tierney Kathleen Jacobson
Persephone – Billy Halquist
Wolf at the Door – Larry Jensen
Galileo and Orion’s Light – Madeleine Hart
Biarritz – Freddy Argir
An Enduring Legacy
Even late in life, as he faced illness with characteristic resolve, Lonnie continued performing and supporting the music scene, inspiring others through his resilience and unwavering passion. His final messages underscored a deep gratitude for the community that had given him so much, and countless musicians returned that affection—drawing inspiration from his life every time they step onto a Minnesota stage.
7 thoughts on “A Mentor and Champion”
It is a great honor to have my songs recorded by Lonnie. His arrangements lifted the lyrics so beautifully; he captured the emotion behind each song. I miss my musical compadre…
Madeleine, Lonnie loved collaborating with you! And I love listening to the music you two made together. Thank you for your post!
Last time I saw Lonnie play was at the Minnesota Music Cafe for a benefit for Willie And The Bees saxophonist Merlin Bronco. Lonnie came out on stage to join the band to play Delbert McClinton’s Standing On Shaky Ground. I was dancing on the dance floor just consumed with watching him play, studying his face, knowing he was on his last legs. He lasted only a couple of months after that.
I think it was 1988 and he was playing with the Nielson White band at some rinky dink bar in upper Minneapolis when I gave him a cassette of my version of his tune Next Best Thing To Being There which I lifted off the Live at the Extemp album. He was very grateful and invited me to sit in with the band for a couple of tunes. A proud moment for me to be with him on stage.
I had followed him from the early days of the Seventies where he soloed at The Extemp. Performers have signature songs they are known for and for me at that time Lonnie played the not real well known Cat Steven’s song Into White. It was the tune I always waited for to hear from him.
His guitar playing was mesmerizing for me, watching his fingers. It influenced my piano playing, me thinking if a guy can get THAT much sound off of 6 strings, then I have a chance with 88 keys.
I was traveling on the road in 1974 and ran into him a couple of times. Once at Arnold’s Park Iowa where we both were booked to play and another time up north in Virginia Minnesota where by chance we were staying at the same hotel. Had breakfast together and talked about the ups and downs of being on the road in the music life.
There are people we know who were able to break into the National scene from here. There are many more who are should have beens but never did for reasons that escape me. Lonnie is one of them. Lonnie should have been a National Star.
Myke, I appreciate your taking the time to share this interesting post about your connection with Lonnie. I was at the benefit for Bronco, too. Lonnie played gigs up until about a week before he died. I believe continuing to play music was a significant factor in his lasting as long as he did after his diagnosis.
I wish I had known him in the early years of his career like you did, so I could have heard him play in person. I’m thankful that I have recordings of him during that time period, though. Your statement, “His guitar playing was mesmerizing for me, watching his fingers” is exactly the way I’ve always felt. The same with your statement, “There are many more who are should have beens but never did for reasons that escape me. Lonnie is one of them. Lonnie should have been a National Star.”
Thank you Patti Patton for including me in the list of songwriters whom Lonnie covered. I first met you and Lonnie through an event known as “Idiot Jam” that took place in Vinton Iowa – my wife and I were the Canadians -. It was really a field jam in the afternoons and performances at night. I played him Wolf at Your Door in the afternoon and he joined me on stage that evening. There is a video floating around of him and I performing The Night We Drove Old Dixie Down where he improvised beautiful acoustic fills effortlessly. Anyway, some years later, He called me up in Canada and asked if he could include “Wolf” on his new Album? The other thing is, he wanted to change the lyrics in the second verse. Wolf is really about losing stuff like RVs, trucks and boats when you lose your employment. Lonnie said, “when you lose your job in this country, you lose your health care.” Lonnie wanted to reflect that and he did. I do believe I would have had more contact with Lonnie had he not been taken too soon. Some one was asked, “what do you think happens when you die?” That person said, ” I know my loved ones will miss me…”
Larry, I’ll never forget meeting you and Katherine at the 2014 Idiot Jam. That was such a fun weekend. I believe you’re correct in believing you and Lonnie would have had more contact. Besides the possibility of future Idiot Jams, he and I spoke several times about going to visit you and Katherine in Canada. We would have, too, if cancer hadn’t interfered with our plans. Here’s a video of Lonnie accompanying you on Wolf at Your Door, Idiot Jam 2014: https://youtu.be/ePm-agtgHqI?si=k59YilkCd_-vOfXt. His cover of your song is on his 2015 album, Portals.
Thank you for your post!
Referencing Larry Jensen’s comment (above), Wolf at your Door, Lonnie’s recording of Larry’s song, can be found on this very website: https://lonnieknight.com/album-portals/. Enjoy!