Bob Gibson; Co-Wrote Hit Folk Song ‘Abilene’

Bob Gibson, 64, a folk musician who co-wrote the hit song “Abilene.” Gibson was a fixture on the folk scene in New York’s Greenwich Village and in Chicago before moving to Portland, Ore., three years ago. Gibson’s songs were recorded during the folk music boom of the 1960s by such groups as Peter, Paul & Mary, the Chad Mitchell Trio, the Kingston Trio and the Seekers. The record of “Abilene” made by George Hamilton IV soared to the top of country charts in 1963 and was a top 20 hit on the pop charts as well. The song was co-written by Gibson, John D. Loudermilk, Lester Brown and Albert Stanton. On Sept. 28 in Portland of the complications of a degenerative brain disease.