I lit Lou Reed's cigarette once at the Henry Miller Library where Laurie Anderson was playing. Second only to the time when I got Ramblin' Jack Elliot his coffee. Black, with no sugar. "I'm sweet enough as is."
I bumped into Lemmy - in one of those hotels that caters for business people - on the outskirts of Frankfurt. He was in the bar, with the rest of his band, when I returned from the office.
Before clocking who he was - how is that possible? - I told him all about the Jazz Rock band that I had been in - which, like most Jazz Rock bands, had been a dismal failure. Then, from somewhere, "Motorhead" popped into the conversation. How fucking embarrassing to be drivelling on about my not-at-all-famous for 15 minutes episode to someone who had been famous for 20+ years. I actually said "fuck" out loud when I realised what I'd done.
Lemmy, by the way, was an absolute gent. He listened to all my tosh; told me about his wonderful life out in LA; chatted to the bar-staff in fluent German; and was very funny. There was no "big I am" airs and graces. He was just a bloke at the bar, having a chat. I don't know if he'd be a good interviewee - but he'd be the perfect dinner guest.
Probably several people can say they interviewed Lou Reed. How many can say they could've but they didn't? Have you ever had the chance to talk to ? of Question Mark and the Mysterians? That would be an exciting interview...
I opted out, lazily, from interviewing O.J. Simpson at a junket for one of the Airplane movies ( Leslie Nielsen and Priscilla Presley - both magnificent interviewees - had drained my energy.) I bitterly regret this omission
Wonderful article—loved how you captured Jonathan Richman's boyish enthusiasm in the anecdote about how he ended the interview. I only recently discovered him and was surprised to learn he’s from my hometown near Boston.
Thanks Mark! I was so obsessed with his music in my teens, and knew nothing else about that area, so decided everyone from there must be as lovely as him.
Yes he has a song about that, The Fenway. You can hear a nice live version here with Andrew Bird, it's the first song they play, though this interview is worth watching in full. I love Jonathan Richman so much!
Your story about failing to meet Lou Reed reminds me of when I was at the same party as Nico and did not know that she was there until someone told me afterwards. The venue was the function room above the Co-op at Platt Fields near Manchester City’s old home at Maine Road. What a different turn both our lives might have taken if she had been fortunate enough to meet me!
Tom, you have inspired me. Next time someone asks me to do something at work I shall just decline, not bother to give a reason, and just go and sit in my back garden (or the park closest to the office) and enjoy a cup of tea or whatever the hell else I want to do.
Snorting and wiping tears of laughter over here with Ella Fitzmemory. Now there's a woman I'd like to have a beer and maybe a game of tokin' croquet with lmao
I've only met a few musicians for a chinwag. My rather tiny band supported Boz Boorer (Polecats/ right hand man of disappoiniting indie miserablist). We talked about guitars, amps, how sad we were that Edwyn Collins was ill (Boz had worked with him), and... I don't really remember anything else as people kept buying me drinks! (Being in a band involves a lot of drinking. I think my liver must be pleased that I've gone deaf...). He's a really decent bloke, though. Then I met Richard from Suede, and was probably quite annoying and puppyish about the fact that he inspired me as a teen guitarist.
And in the 90s, when I was all of 17, I interviewed the singer and guitarist from a middling indie band for my fanzine (so pleased to find out you were a 'ziner too!). The singer, who I'd had a bit of crush on, was really rude to me because I dressed in 1960s clothes. I look back now and assume he'd been on Columbian marching powder - unless he really was just rude to his fans!
Once in the late 70s I crouched folded up in the back of my sculpture student boyfriend's Volvo sports car while we drove Laurie Anderson to the train after a visiting artist gig She was lovely - pleasant, funny, polite - and every time I heard about Lou Reed's famous irascibility I wondered how their (apparently very happy) connection worked. Your (positive!) choice prevented me from attaining further insight ("what a charmer"). But I'd go for J Richman anyway - what a sweet encounter!
Love the mishearing experience. When my husband was a choral director at a New England university in the early 70s, Ella Fitzgerald (close friend of the choral program director) came to visit and went out to local schools. Noticing the slightly quizzical expressions on the small children's faces, they dug a bit deeper and figured out that the children had heard that Elephants Gerald was coming to school and were quite disappointed at the lack of elephants.
Brilliant. Hadn't heard of the Breeders or GbV so had a listen. Liked the Breeders a lot. And I prefer Richmond to the Underground - and I feel he is best played loud! I haven't met any of these people but I did get a sly shot of Feargal Sharkey in Camden back in the 1980's and when I worked at the King's Head and Eight Bells I did get to bring Charlie Watts his Bells a few times. This other fellow (best way to describe one of the yuppy toffs who frequented the pub) told me where he was sitting so I could bring him his drink. I told him his drink would be waiting right here at the bar! When questioned about this I suggested he began to play in a band and get famous. I have a few stories about the peeps there.
I remember the one and only time i got to see Lou Reed perform— was in fact at Mercury Lounge around ‘98 or so. Possibly one of the five concerts I had ever been to in my life at that time (I grew up in India. We had no rock stars no anyone from the First World visiting to perform so the first time i saw a proper concert was when I came to NY as a college student in the mid 90’s. ) Thank you for this. - a huge Lou fan (who once had an email address nico@hotmail.com)
I saw GBV at the Garage in Highbury in 97 - perhaps you were there? Bob asked what people wanted to hear, and someone shouted 'Big School', a second or third track from a way old EP - and the band played it! Did they have a Matrix plug-in of every old GBV track hard wired? And that was the Cobra Verde GBV, not Tobin Sprout. Incredible band. I saw Stewart Lee there that night too. And after the show, Bob shook our hand, but twisted his arm so his hand was backward. Love him.
I was there, and that was me who shouted for ‘Big School’. I also remember Bob shaking hands like that. And having seen them live many times, I’m certain the answer about the plug-in is a resounding yes.
That's amazing that you were the Big Schooler!! Good to know we crossed musical paths many years ago, and thanks for giving me an enduring memory of a fantastic band.
I had to run inside and grab my earbuds before I finish this fantastic post. What a great way to spend Memorial Day morning in America; outside, sipping coffee, birdwatching and enjoying memorable music from some of the tunes of the past! Thank you for the amazing clips, Tom.😎🎶👏👏👏💙
I lit Lou Reed's cigarette once at the Henry Miller Library where Laurie Anderson was playing. Second only to the time when I got Ramblin' Jack Elliot his coffee. Black, with no sugar. "I'm sweet enough as is."
I bumped into Lemmy - in one of those hotels that caters for business people - on the outskirts of Frankfurt. He was in the bar, with the rest of his band, when I returned from the office.
Before clocking who he was - how is that possible? - I told him all about the Jazz Rock band that I had been in - which, like most Jazz Rock bands, had been a dismal failure. Then, from somewhere, "Motorhead" popped into the conversation. How fucking embarrassing to be drivelling on about my not-at-all-famous for 15 minutes episode to someone who had been famous for 20+ years. I actually said "fuck" out loud when I realised what I'd done.
Lemmy, by the way, was an absolute gent. He listened to all my tosh; told me about his wonderful life out in LA; chatted to the bar-staff in fluent German; and was very funny. There was no "big I am" airs and graces. He was just a bloke at the bar, having a chat. I don't know if he'd be a good interviewee - but he'd be the perfect dinner guest.
Probably several people can say they interviewed Lou Reed. How many can say they could've but they didn't? Have you ever had the chance to talk to ? of Question Mark and the Mysterians? That would be an exciting interview...
Sadly not. But I would have loved to!
I opted out, lazily, from interviewing O.J. Simpson at a junket for one of the Airplane movies ( Leslie Nielsen and Priscilla Presley - both magnificent interviewees - had drained my energy.) I bitterly regret this omission
Wonderful article—loved how you captured Jonathan Richman's boyish enthusiasm in the anecdote about how he ended the interview. I only recently discovered him and was surprised to learn he’s from my hometown near Boston.
Thanks Mark! I was so obsessed with his music in my teens, and knew nothing else about that area, so decided everyone from there must be as lovely as him.
Yes he has a song about that, The Fenway. You can hear a nice live version here with Andrew Bird, it's the first song they play, though this interview is worth watching in full. I love Jonathan Richman so much!
https://youtu.be/M6dBDc82om0?si=sJHUnASBArYrRg29
I got the modern sounds of modern Massachusetts!
Your story about failing to meet Lou Reed reminds me of when I was at the same party as Nico and did not know that she was there until someone told me afterwards. The venue was the function room above the Co-op at Platt Fields near Manchester City’s old home at Maine Road. What a different turn both our lives might have taken if she had been fortunate enough to meet me!
Tom, you have inspired me. Next time someone asks me to do something at work I shall just decline, not bother to give a reason, and just go and sit in my back garden (or the park closest to the office) and enjoy a cup of tea or whatever the hell else I want to do.
My email address is “bartleby “ in honour of the Herman Melville character whose response to every request is, “I would prefer not to.”
Snorting and wiping tears of laughter over here with Ella Fitzmemory. Now there's a woman I'd like to have a beer and maybe a game of tokin' croquet with lmao
Ahhhh ? And the Mysterians are soooo fab!!
I've only met a few musicians for a chinwag. My rather tiny band supported Boz Boorer (Polecats/ right hand man of disappoiniting indie miserablist). We talked about guitars, amps, how sad we were that Edwyn Collins was ill (Boz had worked with him), and... I don't really remember anything else as people kept buying me drinks! (Being in a band involves a lot of drinking. I think my liver must be pleased that I've gone deaf...). He's a really decent bloke, though. Then I met Richard from Suede, and was probably quite annoying and puppyish about the fact that he inspired me as a teen guitarist.
And in the 90s, when I was all of 17, I interviewed the singer and guitarist from a middling indie band for my fanzine (so pleased to find out you were a 'ziner too!). The singer, who I'd had a bit of crush on, was really rude to me because I dressed in 1960s clothes. I look back now and assume he'd been on Columbian marching powder - unless he really was just rude to his fans!
Great article! Popped into my inbox just at the right moment. Thanks!
Thanks Bryan!
Once in the late 70s I crouched folded up in the back of my sculpture student boyfriend's Volvo sports car while we drove Laurie Anderson to the train after a visiting artist gig She was lovely - pleasant, funny, polite - and every time I heard about Lou Reed's famous irascibility I wondered how their (apparently very happy) connection worked. Your (positive!) choice prevented me from attaining further insight ("what a charmer"). But I'd go for J Richman anyway - what a sweet encounter!
Love the mishearing experience. When my husband was a choral director at a New England university in the early 70s, Ella Fitzgerald (close friend of the choral program director) came to visit and went out to local schools. Noticing the slightly quizzical expressions on the small children's faces, they dug a bit deeper and figured out that the children had heard that Elephants Gerald was coming to school and were quite disappointed at the lack of elephants.
Brilliant. Hadn't heard of the Breeders or GbV so had a listen. Liked the Breeders a lot. And I prefer Richmond to the Underground - and I feel he is best played loud! I haven't met any of these people but I did get a sly shot of Feargal Sharkey in Camden back in the 1980's and when I worked at the King's Head and Eight Bells I did get to bring Charlie Watts his Bells a few times. This other fellow (best way to describe one of the yuppy toffs who frequented the pub) told me where he was sitting so I could bring him his drink. I told him his drink would be waiting right here at the bar! When questioned about this I suggested he began to play in a band and get famous. I have a few stories about the peeps there.
I remember the one and only time i got to see Lou Reed perform— was in fact at Mercury Lounge around ‘98 or so. Possibly one of the five concerts I had ever been to in my life at that time (I grew up in India. We had no rock stars no anyone from the First World visiting to perform so the first time i saw a proper concert was when I came to NY as a college student in the mid 90’s. ) Thank you for this. - a huge Lou fan (who once had an email address nico@hotmail.com)
I saw GBV at the Garage in Highbury in 97 - perhaps you were there? Bob asked what people wanted to hear, and someone shouted 'Big School', a second or third track from a way old EP - and the band played it! Did they have a Matrix plug-in of every old GBV track hard wired? And that was the Cobra Verde GBV, not Tobin Sprout. Incredible band. I saw Stewart Lee there that night too. And after the show, Bob shook our hand, but twisted his arm so his hand was backward. Love him.
I was there, and that was me who shouted for ‘Big School’. I also remember Bob shaking hands like that. And having seen them live many times, I’m certain the answer about the plug-in is a resounding yes.
That's amazing that you were the Big Schooler!! Good to know we crossed musical paths many years ago, and thanks for giving me an enduring memory of a fantastic band.
Such a jolly way to start my day ☺️
Thanks Sasha! Very nice to hear!
I had to run inside and grab my earbuds before I finish this fantastic post. What a great way to spend Memorial Day morning in America; outside, sipping coffee, birdwatching and enjoying memorable music from some of the tunes of the past! Thank you for the amazing clips, Tom.😎🎶👏👏👏💙
Ah and that’s music to my ears. Thank you!