Jon Richman part 7

Jonathan listens mostly to folkies now; Jim Post, a Chicago songwriter who co-wrote "Reach Out in the Darkness" and a couple of other hits, Steve Forbert, NRBQ and the Nee Ningy Band, a local group.

I suggest that perhaps the success of Forbert, Ricki Lee Jones and Dire Straits means there's an audience which is getting tired of bands that scream, "Awright, rock and roll."

"I think you hit the nail on the head," Jonathan agrees. "When you boil it right down, to scream 'rock and roll' and to play rock and roll aren't quite the same thing. When it gets awful noisy I question how much people are playing rock and roll. The '50s stuff had a groove to it; they didn't have to overdo anything. The more heavy-handed things get, the less that original groove is there. That's why I like the '50s stuff best. They didn't have to try so hard. It was right there in the beat."

Like the line from "Party in the Woods," "Let's get on the floor, let's bump-rock some more."

"That's right," Jonathan says, "that's what I want. I stole that line from Elvis. 'Let's get on the floor, let's rock some more, let's have a party tonight.' " He laughs. "It's a direct lift. I never try to avoid it. I'd gladly pay the money if it's a matter of copyright. I just want to hear what sounds best to me."

to be continued

by Bill Flanagan Trouser Press November 1979

go back to part 6

It's A Thing He Has ...

by Your Diva, Robin Pastorio-Newman

When Jonathan Richman tours, people go a little crazy. He usually plays one date in an area and moves on to the next, leaving packs of rabid fans stomping individual feet and muttering naughty words. Last time he came through New Jersey Jonathan --

more backstage >>>

First Avenue

Moments and Memories
"Like being in a pinhole camera -- a huge black box. It was gross, and the ceiling (covered with sprayed insulation) was gross. It smelled bad. But the show -- Jonathan Richman -- gave me the happiest feeling I've ever felt."
Anna Bloomstrand, 25, Minneapolis
[published in Star Tribune]

Today's Boston Globe

Luna: Let's not stay together

album reviews

Some album reviews by Jonathan fan, Adam Kaplan.

Vintage 2000

From: Brad
Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000
Subject: Paris show

Hi, Brad from Brussels contributes this cut and pasted review of last night's show in Paris...

For the first time, last night I drank from the cup of a Rich-man. I lapped up the contorted facial expressions, the self-deprecating attempts at French, those marvoulous hip shaking dance gyrations, and some special silent pauses for effect.

I strategically scheduled a meeting in Paris yesterday knowing there was a JoJo gig in town. I showed up sans-ticket, wearing my suit, tie, and pointy shoes. The small group waiting outside the door thought I might be able to buy a chance at Affection when the doors opened an hour later at 7.

more backstage >>>

###
Note: This is a vintage post from the old base.com list.

Russian Ramones fan site with downloads

jojopics

See photographs of Jonathan at Gary Timms' new website.