David Rea (pronounced "ray") (October 26, 1946 in Akron, Ohio – October 27, 2011 in Portland, Oregon, United States)[1] was an American folk guitarist, singer, composer and songwriter.
He played with many of the famous names of modern folk music and folk rock, such as Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Richie Havens, Judy Collins, Ian and Sylvia, Fairport Convention, The New Riders of the Purple Sage and Michal Hasek.
He was friends with Felix Pappalardi who produced Rea's best known album, Maverick Child.
Rea’s parents owned a cottage on the Upper French River, where David would enjoy summers along with his brother Jim and sister Betsy, and their two Dalmatian dogs.
David made a connection in Toronto and often played at the Riverboat nightclub where he met Ian and Sylvia and Gordon Lightfoot - both of whom he would record with.