Lou Reed passes away

[keefe]

Kick out the jams brothers and sisters!!

That's all I remember.  Damn you are old.

Everything still functions at a high RPM!

[Blue Horseshoe]

The MC5 were cited by Spiro Agnew in testimony before the Senate as the leaders of a "Communist conspiracy to corrupt the youth of America." Malcolm Russell wrote of MC5 in his Rough Guide to Rock,

Politicians obstructing music and free speech are the worst *cough* Al Gore *cough*

Unbeknownst to Lou Reed (at the time), He was acting as a catalyst to end Communist rule in Czechoslovakia
http://www.businessinsider.com/lou-reed-and-vaclav-havel-vs-communism-2013-10

[Spotcheck Billy]

Freezer, a concert taper that was a legend in the taping community had this story of his experience taping a LR show in Chalmette, LA on 11/08/1974

On November 8, 1974 St Bernard Civic Auditorium was the site of a show featuring German prog-rock band Triumvirat. (offered at TTD earlier this year from the master recording). Triumvirat was recorded from the safety of the first row of the balcony with the stereo (binaural) mics fixed to the ledge of the balcony.

I decided NOT to record this concert from the balcony but as close to the stage as possible, for optimum sound.

Going as close as possible is a great idea for getting a fantastic sounding tape, but not so good an idea considering there was only about 1000 people in a hall that normally seats 3500. There was too much open space to be able to hide a 15 pound stereo cassette recorder and a 1 point stereo microphone that resembeled the Hammer Of Thor.

I stuck out, to say the least.

The Larry Raspberry and the Highsteppers set was recorded while seated from the front of the first row.

I moved over closer to the left PA stack for the Lou Reed set to stand and record.

In fact I was so close that the recorder is balanced on the metal police barricade in front of the stage.

There was no one and nothing in front of me. I'm holding that large microphone pointed directly at the stack and at the stage, that's why there's seems to be some stereo seperation.

When the show started, the band took the stage without Lou and played the intro to Sweet Jane, and Lou strolled out, his hair dyed blonde and wearing a black sleeveless T-stirt and jeans; rail thin and as pale as a vampire.

Lou then tied off his arm as if he were about to shoot up....he used his microphone cable to tie off with....and produced a syringe filled with a clear liquid. And Lou proceeds to look like he is gonna really shoot up.

AT THIS POINT, a huge St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Deputy IN FULL RIOT GEAR walked out on stage in front of Lou Reed, and faced Lou with his hands on his hips.

He pointed to stage right and escorted Lou off stage.

You can hear the uneasiness in the air. The band is so nervous that they go into Sweet Jane a second time but Lou Reed, upon returning to the stage, sans syringe, starts singing Viscious instead.

The second time they get the song correct, but the damage is done, Lou Reed is visibly shaken and his confidence is gone.

(By the way, Larry Raspberry and the Highsteppers absolutely blew Lou Reed off the stage...I always felt that Lou never took control of the audience after the incident with the cop. And the crowd reaction on both this recording and that of the opening act will show that Lou Reed never got back into his groove after his meeting with that huge Deputy.)

As for the small gap in the recording about 25 minutes into the show.....


I got caught by a roadie while taping.


Remember I said how close I was while making this recording?

Well, I was close enough for a roadie to spot me from the wings and run and stage dive at me.

Luckily I saw him in mid-flight and threw the recorder to a friend....who accidentially switched it off...

I caught that roadie's arms who was swinging at me while screaming at me. "Motherf*cker, I want that f*cking tape."

Before there were any punches thrown, we were both grabbed by a VERY big St. Bernard Parish Shreiff's deputy, who shook us both by the back of the collar and asked what the unnatural carnal knowledge were we doing.

Before I could answer, the roadie yelled in the cop's face, "That motherunnatural carnal knowledgeer is taping the show and I want that motherf*cking tape."

The cop asked me what I was doing and I said just standing there taping and not bothering anyone.

The cop told the roadie, Get back befind the stage and don't let me see you again tonight or you'll see what the inside of our jail looks like.

The roadie said what about the tape, and the cop said I'll take care of it.

To me the cop says go back and sit down and don't be so obvious if you're going to record the concert. {The cop knew me......)

The final outcome: I got to finish recording the show minus about a 3 minute gap.

[brandx]

Politicians obstructing music and free speech are the worst *cough* Al Gore *cough*

I think Tipper was the bigger culprit.

[Sheriff]

Politicians obstructing music and free speech are the worst *cough* Al Gore *cough*

Unbeknownst to Lou Reed (at the time), He was acting as a catalyst to end Communist rule in Czechoslovakia
http://www.businessinsider.com/lou-reed-and-vaclav-havel-vs-communism-2013-10

Frank Zappa was the leading music industry advocate in opposition to the Gore initiative.  Frank also accepted an appointment to Ministry of Commerce by the Czech government.  His musical legacy and influences were far more prolific than those of Lou Reed, his biggest critic.  It is ironic that Lou made the induction speech for Frank's postmortem R&R Hall of Fame induction

[keefe]

Frank Zappa was the leading music industry advocate in opposition to the Gore initiative.  Frank also accepted an appointment to Ministry of Commerce by the Czech government.  His musical legacy and influences were far more prolific than those of Lou Reed, his biggest critic.  It is ironic that Lou made the induction speech for Frank's postmortem R&R Hall of Fame induction

I still play Overnite Sensation from time to time. Zappa was pure genius.

[Spotcheck Billy]

I still play Overnite Sensation from time to time. Zappa was pure genius.

then do your self a favor and listen to more than just one of his most popular LPs from time to time like Grand Wazoo,  Hot Rats, Roxy & Elsewhere, Bongo Fury, Zappa in NY, Sheik Yerbouti, Zoot Allures. Joe's Garage, You R What U is, YCDTOSA etc.

[real chili 83]

I might be movin' to Montana soon...

[keefe]

I whipped off her bloomers 'n stiffened my thumb
An' applied rotation on her sugar plum

[real chili 83]

Yippee kai yo kai yay

[Boone]

"Roadwork" written by Tom Wright, Pete Townshend's friend and early musical influence, has a section on MC5 (Wright ran the infamous Grande in Detroit that booked a lot of up-and-coming and established acts. His experience there with the Dead is a hilarious read).

[StateStreetMission]

Lou Reed performed at the MU Brooks Memorial Union (1973 ?)
It brought out a very unusual crowd.
A few MU students and mostly locals - lots of Glitter and make up worn by the Milwaukee crowd.

[keefe]

Lou Reed performed at the MU Brooks Memorial Union (1973 ?)
It brought out a very unusual crowd.
A few MU students and mostly locals - lots of Glitter and make up worn by the Milwaukee crowd.

That shocks me. MU was caught in a time warp back in the 70's. ASMU couldn't show R rated movies at the Varsity and coed visitors required door open and feet on floor.

[4everwarriors]

Dorm door had to be open the width of a wastepaper basket. Freshman women had "hours" to keep and Schroeder didn't become co-ed until circa 1970.

[StateStreetMission]

ASMU had a rather eclectic mix of performers at the Union in the 71-75 era.
Muddy Waters
Lionel Hampton
John B. Sebastian

But Lou Reed was something else back then !

[StateStreetMission]

If memory serves me correctly  Tower was the first Co-Ed dorm with men and women on the same floor.
That was a huge change for MU.

[real chili 83]

Dorm door had to be open the width of a wastepaper basket. Freshman women had "hours" to keep and Schroeder didn't become co-ed until circa 1970.

Schroeder was plenty coed by 1979.

[keefe]

ASMU had a rather eclectic mix of performers at the Union in the 71-75 era.
Muddy Waters
Lionel Hampton
John B. Sebastian

But Lou Reed was something else back then !

I was friends with the guy who did the Shady Jim Production series at the Mugrack. Jim was a man who, uh, liked to graze at the smorgasbord of female companionship. I always thought he went on to a life of hard drugs, fast women, and stacked amps but I heard he sells insurance now.

But, man, the music back then...

[real chili 83]

Anyone remember Yipes?

[real chili 83]

South side Johnny came to the Varsity twice in my day. 

Gritty. 

[keefe]

Anyone remember Yipes?

Milwaukee Wave band. They played the Mugrack in the late 70's. Milwaukee had a vibrant music scene back then. We used to get passes to The Palms and The Toad. Red Ball Jets, Oil Tasters, Yipes. Good stuff.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I saw The Ramone's at Toad's Place in New Haven back in the early 90s.  The loudest concert I ever attended.  I could barely hear from the ringing in my ears for 3 days.

[Sheriff]

I still play Overnite Sensation from time to time. Zappa was pure genius.

I saw the Mothers at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago on Mother's Day 1974.  Some of the show appeared in tracks on the Roxy Elsewhere album.  That was one of Frank's better bands.  George Duke, Jean-Luc Ponty, Ruth Underwood.  The language and on-stage antics resulted prompted the Auditorium to prohibit Frank's return.

[Boone]

Had a friend who, as a teen, used to frequent CBGBs. Hyberbole, but she said that the Ramones would play a set of a dozen songs in about 10 minutes.

When she was a little younger, she saw the band for the first time rehearsing in her friend's basement in Brooklyn. When the band took a break, they sent her and her friend out for pizza and beer.

[ATWizJr]

Milwaukee Wave band. They played the Mugrack in the late 70's. Milwaukee had a vibrant music scene back then. We used to get passes to The Palms and The Toad. Red Ball Jets, Oil Tasters, Yipes. Good stuff.

How about The Shag?