Circus Maximus: The Wind

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Does anyone remember this song ? Circus Maximus was a United States band in the late 1960s, who combined influences from folk music, rock, and jazz into a form of psychedelic rock. The band was formed in 1967 by jazzist Bob Bruno and Jerry Jeff Walker. Bruno’s song “Wind”, from their eponymous first album, became a minor hit in the United States, particularly through airplay on “progressive” FM radio stations. In late December 1967, they performed in an unusual pair of “Electric Christmas” concerts together … Continue reading →

Friday Fluff: Murray the K’s Blasts from the Past

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Murray the K’s Blasts from the Past Murray Kaufman (February 14, 1922-February 21, 1982) professionally known as Murray the K, was a famous and influential rock and roll impresario and disc jockey of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. During the early days of Beatlemania, he frequently referred to himself as “the Fifth Beatle”. Murray Kaufman came from a show business family: his mother, Jean, played piano in vaudeville and wrote music and his aunt was a character actress on the stage and in film. He … Continue reading →

Delmore Schwartz and Lou Reed

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To understand Lou Reed you could begin where he began: the works of American poet and author Delmore Schwartz and the novels of proto-grunge writer Hubert Selby jnr, author of Last Exit To Brooklyn and Requiem For A Dream. In 1962, Delmore Schwartz began teaching creative writing at Syracuse University. One of his students was future songwriter Lou Reed (Take A Walk On The Wild Side), who dedicated several songs to his mentor (European Son). Schwartz told Reed at one point, “You can write-and if … Continue reading →

It Was Seventeen Years Ago Today…

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This picture of Justin Hayward (ladies: click to enlarge, hee, hee!) was taken out of a program booklet when The Moody Blues did two benefit concerts in New York City in 1991 at The Paramount Theater.  I’ve been to so many of their concerts in New York City. This tour was promoting their “Keys Of The Kingdoms” album, which was released earlier that year. Their big hit at this time was, “Say It With Love.”  It was a benefit concert, and after it had finished, the first ten rows … Continue reading →