Alone Again Or--R.I.P. Arthur Lee

I can't collect my thoughts on this.

Arthur Lee, who led one of rock's greatest bands (ever), Love, has passed away. The group's three classic albums, Love, Da Capo and Forever Changes contain some of the most influential/ genius/disturbing/gorgeous/crazy/poetic/punk/inspiring/cool music you will ever hear. And achingly beautiful. Some songs get me on every level, right down to my nerve endings. I've not gone a month without listening to more than one Love tune since discovering them so many years ago and I don't plan on changing this habit. Even if the brilliant song "Red Telephone" occasionally feels like it has crawled into my brain and scrambled around any sanity I have left. But such was the power of Arthur Lee.

I'm happy I was able to see him in 2002 (soon after he was released from prison) but I remember sensing a palpable doom. There was always doom around Arthur Lee. Thankfully, Lee created brilliant music out of this darkness.

In hippy dippy terms, Love sometimes seemed an ironic name. They were too multi-dimensional for that. Watch them blow away American Bandstand, garage-rocking out a Burt Bacharach tune. They take anything potentially simple from this song and make it tough, full of attitude and almost threatening. And the band was never as simple as just love (there was hate in there)-- but then real love never is. And I can safely say that I loved Arthur Lee. Your Mind and We Belong Together.

The Make-Up sang "Free Arthur Lee"--he finally is.

I've been here once
I've been here twice
I don't know if the third's the fourth or if the...
The fifth's to fix
Sometimes I deal with numbers
And if you wanna count me
Count me out

Comments

[kd]

This breaks my heart, too, Kim.

I bought a 45 of My Little Red Book when I was in high school. Every garage band I knew in Houston played at least one Love song. Love's version of Hey Joe was the best. Yes, better than the Byrds. Better than The Music Machine. Even better than Hendrix. When The Doors signed on with Elektra, they wanted to be as big as Love.

Da Capo.

And then Forever Changes. I remember the summer I listened to no other album.

I'm still listening.

Thank you, Arthur Lee.

[Theron]

You're absolutely right, kd! I came of age in Houston during the 60s/70s, and EVERY local band worth listening to played at least one song(usually more) by Love. Long live Arthur Lee. Those who know, know.

[Jamie Leeson]

I was fortunate to see Love at the UEA twice, i had never heard much before i went but afterwards i was hooked. I will miss those Love gigs. I have recorded a tribute to love on the web site above.
A great loss to us all.
RIP