Healdsburg’s most familiar busker, the inimitable Doc Cummings, has passed away in his early 70s, according to friends and family on Facebook. His name was Donald O. Cummings, but he reportedly went by his initials — “Doc” — for short. I’m not sure how Doc died, but neighbors are reporting he was found dead at home. (I’ll share any updates as I get them.) Doc used to be a fixture in the plaza, where he would play his guitar almost every day — delighting groups of passing children, especially, by singing kids songs like “The Wheels on the Bus.” However, after a struggle at City Hall over the plaza “performance policy” in Fall 2023 that resulted in a more arduous permitting process for street musicians, Doc moved to a new signature spot at the entrance to Safeway.
From a Healdsburg Tribune report on the struggle:
The 71-year-old Cummings said he was injured in an automobile accident seven years ago and he has found that musical performance is a kind of physical therapy. “I’ve taken two hours a day to go down there to improve my wrists and elbows so that I can get through this,” he said following the Oct. 2 City Council meeting. “I have three people, plus one musician who I haven’t seen in three years, who has brought this agenda, who threatened to bring this agenda and used the council as a weapon against me.”
In the end, city leaders decided to add red tape for plaza buskers — so Doc moved his one-man show over to Safeway. The many locals whose lives he touched are now showing up for him in force on two threads in the “What’s Happening Healdsburg” Facebook group. (Here and here.) I’ve assembled some of the most touching memories in the threads below.
- “He always sang to my little boy. He had the most beautiful smile such a beautiful soul.”
- “I used to walk to work, crossing through the plaza, he would pause mid song and give me a ‘Howdy Mister.’”
- “He always made my daughter feel so special every time we would go to Safeway… every time we would see him he always had the biggest smile on his face and his heart was so sweet.”
- “He will be truly missed. He would always sing to my baby when we would see him outside Safeway.”
- “He was such a part of our community. His positive attitude, contagious smile, and his music will be deeply missed.”
- “While some disliked his music, it was wonderful to see the little kids lighting up.”
- “The best voice in Healdsburg!”
Two of Doc’s sisters, who say they live in Maine where he’s from, have also been chiming in on the threads. Sue Cummings writes: “Thank you all for the kind words and sharing videos! Don was my brother. His passing was very unexpected. It’s so nice to see the love and appreciation for his passion. He loved entertaining, and will be remembered for his sense of humor and kindness. He was so very blessed to be a part of such a wonderful community.”
Note from Simone: This piece originally appeared in the weekly email newsletter I write for the Healdsburg Tribune, called Healdsburg Today. Subscribe here.
