Richie Havens, yet another relatively unsung great, died today. If not for the vagaries of fucked up logistics at Woodstock, he may never have even garnered the minor fame he ended up with -- he went on first because all the other filthy hippies were late.
Regardless, he was a man able to transform the blues standard "Motherless Child" into the Woodstock classic "Freedom":
RIP Richie.
UPDATE
Moar, 'cause fuck you Mr. Death:
The following contains the entirety of the first video above after the initial song. Oh well, sosumi.
Update again, 'cause fuck you that's why:
Update again: Moar? Yeah, more, you got a problem with that?
my friend just texted me with the news, and a picture of the pick that Richie gave him after the show last time he played in town.
ReplyDeleteI think we'd be better off with all of us breathers gone and all the dead musicians as zombies. Assuming zombies can manage to keep a beat...
DeleteAssuming zombies can manage to keep a beat...
ReplyDeleteWell... they can shuffle...
Just as interesting as Richie Havens' music is his long career as an activist. He co-founded an oceanagraphic museum on my beloved City Island, which I have affectionately dubbed "Brontucket".
Have you heard his collaboration with British electronic musicians Groove Armada?
ReplyDeleteI had not heard that. It was grand, thanks!
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