One of my favorite musicians, and the man who inspired the name of this blog passed away yesterday in Memphis. He was 61. While the Beach Boys are the quintessential California band, Love is the quintessential LA band. Arthur Lee/Love's music perfectly captures both the light and dark sides of this city. Forever Changes is their masterpiece, but their first three albums are all essential. "Oh the snot has caked against my pants/ it has turned into crystal." I only saw him late in his career, but the first time blew my mind and the second time was really good too.
3 comments:
So very sad...especially considering he still could bring it on stage. His voice hadn't aged a bit. I've always thought the first two albums were absurdly underrated. And I thought Four Sail was pretty solid too. As sad as I was when Barrett kicked it, at least you knew he was finished. Arthur Lee should've been like BB King, up on stage still howling into his 80s. Don't think we'll ever see another original like him or Love. Seeing as though they were Morrison's favorite band, they have to wear the crown as the best LA ever produced. RIP Arthur Lee
http://tinyurl.com/fcq44
Here's a tribute on Fresh Air by rock historian Ed Ward.
you know i had this feeling your blog was named after the song on the forever changes album. you're both so cool. rip arthur .
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