Arthur Lee, founder of the outstanding psychedelic rock band, Love, is dead. chron.com
In the 1960s, I was really into the San Francisco music scene and was somewhat chauvinistic about it. When L.A. bands tuned into the good music, I usually dismissed them as rank amateurs. There were two exceptions: Love and The Doors. The Doors went on to fame and fortune. Love went on to drug abuse, prison, break ups, make ups and nearly zilch in album sales. Many people think Jim Morrison was crazy, and he was. But Arthur Lee made Jimbo look like Sane Zane.
What was funny was that Love had little commercial success, but was a huge hit with critics and fellow rockers. Syd Barrett said that Love inspired him to change Pink Floyd's musical direction. That seemed to work out o.k. Also, the lead singer of The New Yardbirds was inspired by Love to stretch their music a bit and call the band Led Zeppelin. Jimi Hendrix wanted to do an album with Arthur Lee. Hendrix's first appearance on a record was as the guitar player for a female R&B singer's version of an Arthur Lee song.
As far out and psychedelic and wild as Love was, their only "hit" was a Bacharach/David song called "My Little Red Book." Both Bacharach and David said they hated Love's version. I've never heard anyone else's version. <G>
Bryan McClean, who also wrote and sang songs for the albums, died of a heart attack at an early age. Bryan was the ultimate Hollywood insider, and his vision contrasted perfectly with crazy Arthur Lee's.
My favorite Love song was "7 and 7 Is", with "Alone Again, Or" a close second.
Arthur Lee was incredibly talented, but not an especially gifted vocalist. I liked his voice, but, when somebody tells me "that dude can't sing," I can understand where they're coming from.
The band's musicianship was terrific and the lyrics were the best.
Arthur tried several comebacks, but he had trouble getting booked in the USA. Something about no-shows and showing up wasted. Heck, George Jones has done o.k. with that type of behavior. <G>
I am still surprised that Love was not a huge success. They were one of my favorite bands of all time. Maybe that's the reason. <G> |
