Mark Spoelstra, 66; folk musician performed with Bob Dylan

Mark Spoelstra, 66, a singer, songwriter and guitar player who migrated to New York’s Greenwich Village along with other folk and blues performers of the 1960s, died of pancreatic cancer Sunday at his home in the Amador County town of Pioneer east of Sacramento.

A native of Kansas City, Mo., who grew up in El Monte, Spoelstra became friends with Bob Dylan, and the two performed together at New York coffeehouses and clubs in the early ‘60s. Dylan reminisced about their friendship in his 2004 memoir, “Chronicles, Vol. 1,” and included Spoelstra in the 2005 documentary “No Direction Home.”

Spoelstra recorded two albums of traditional blues and folk songs for Folkway Records before being signed by Elektra Records. “Five and Twenty Questions,” released in 1964 and produced by Paul Rothchild, featured 12 original songs played on six- and 12-string guitar.

That album and his next, “State of Mind,” reflect the anti-war political stance he had taken in music and in writings for Broadside magazine.

When Spoelstra received his draft notice for the Vietnam War, he applied for conscientious objector status and spent two years in the Central Valley working with the Job Corps.

He left music behind in the 1970s to raise a family and work odd jobs, then performed occasionally over the last few years.

He recorded a new CD, “Out of My Hands,” in 2002. His earlier work has been reissued on CD and his songs have been included in a Smithsonian Folkways reissue of classic folk music.

A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday at Sierra Baptist Church, 28355 Buckhorn Ridge Road, Pioneer.