Around 1992 or so, I was late to see Jonathan at a gig in Santa cruz. in fact, as I arrived, I saw that the venue was emptying out, and I had missed the show. While walking back to my car, I ran into Jonathan carrying his guitar. I told him how I'd gotten off work too late to see the concert... at that, he whipped out his guitar and played me a song in the parking lot. "there...now you didn't miss anything!", he said.
I love his comment about The Velvet Underground: "these people would understand me." That's an interesting way to look at the artists you connect with.
"I didn't even consider my first record. To me it's just a bunch of demo tapes. But it had some good stuff on it". That's all he has to say about one of the best albums known to man.
Right? I've watched a ton of his interviews and he seems to downplay that album a lot. Although he's been playing a different version of "Old World" live for the past 5-6 years, so there's definitely some material on it he still likes and feels connected to. I think he looks down on that first album mainly because he no longer feels in sync with who he was when he wrote those songs, and I'm sure plenty of other musicians feel the same way about their early records.
@@indieguy81yeah you nailed it on the head, a lot of what it talked about in that era he outgrew. The pessimism, loneliness, trouble with girls... etc. He talks about it a bit here.
I've just started looking into this guy's music (and his great personality, like he shows on this interview) and it's such a magical experience. I've been working on my own version of Roadrunner for about ten hours a day for the last six days...and even though it only has 2 chords (with a spare E thrown in at just the right moment) it's like this amazing world to immerse yourself in, with infinite paths, etc. I'm like a fanatic now, and nothing's getting done around the house!
Classic Jonathan humor imitating himself playing his first guitar - likely in his little suburban ranch house on East Evergreen. The best to ever come out of Natick High School by far, but "I might be "predjudest".
This is my rule for dating someone. If I introduce you to JR, and you don't like him, clearly you and I are not meant to be. I've only had two people truly not like him, and seriously, they aren't the kind of people I'd like anyhow
They say the Velvet Underground during the 65-73 days hardly sold any records. But everyone who bought a VU record started a band. Jonathan Richmond was one.
@kiloelo Far from it! Listen to the Modern Lovers Self Titled LP with songs Hospital, She Cracked & I'm Straight, Richman was very upfront & outspoken on his choice to not use drugs including Nicotine in a era when everybody was getting high. He's also been stated as being the creator of the original "Straight Edge" movement. The guy's just a great person who's inspired by things from daily life, I do hope he will have Modern Lovers Reunion Tour because it would just be out of this world!!
Dunno what started this lil chat, but my goodness are you right....i think ima try it on this beautiful woman i know with whom there is a connection, but we've gone nowhere with it.
![Jonathan Richman - The Bus Song & Roberto the Trainer (with Julia Sweeney) [May 1994]](/img/n.gif)
Around 1992 or so, I was late to see Jonathan at a gig in Santa cruz. in fact, as I arrived, I saw that the venue was emptying out, and I had missed the show. While walking back to my car, I ran into Jonathan carrying his guitar. I told him how I'd gotten off work too late to see the concert... at that, he whipped out his guitar and played me a song in the parking lot.
"there...now you didn't miss anything!", he said.
what a sweet man!
That's so cool!
I love his comment about The Velvet Underground: "these people would understand me." That's an interesting way to look at the artists you connect with.
Jonathan was fifty here. Even today, it's INSANE how young he looks.
"I didn't even consider my first record. To me it's just a bunch of demo tapes. But it had some good stuff on it". That's all he has to say about one of the best albums known to man.
Right? I've watched a ton of his interviews and he seems to downplay that album a lot. Although he's been playing a different version of "Old World" live for the past 5-6 years, so there's definitely some material on it he still likes and feels connected to. I think he looks down on that first album mainly because he no longer feels in sync with who he was when he wrote those songs, and I'm sure plenty of other musicians feel the same way about their early records.
@@indieguy81yeah you nailed it on the head, a lot of what it talked about in that era he outgrew. The pessimism, loneliness, trouble with girls... etc. He talks about it a bit here.
Lonely dark and cold winter nights in Massachusetts have never been the same for me since I heard the Modern Lovers. I drive on 128 everyday.
I love the way he talks
I've just started looking into this guy's music (and his great personality, like he shows on this interview) and it's such a magical experience. I've been working on my own version of Roadrunner for about ten hours a day for the last six days...and even though it only has 2 chords (with a spare E thrown in at just the right moment) it's like this amazing world to immerse yourself in, with infinite paths, etc. I'm like a fanatic now, and nothing's getting done around the house!
"these people would understand me." best best best best
Jonathan, thanks for signing all my records when I met you back in 1985!
Classic Jonathan humor imitating himself playing his first guitar - likely in his little suburban ranch house on East Evergreen. The best to ever come out of Natick High School by far, but "I might be "predjudest".
sweet heart
Love This Guy!
I have loved Jonathan all my adult life but never yet been to a gig. I want to rectify that problem.
This is my rule for dating someone. If I introduce you to JR, and you don't like him, clearly you and I are not meant to be. I've only had two people truly not like him, and seriously, they aren't the kind of people I'd like anyhow
Also, if they already know JR / love him / have an opinion about their favourite JR album or song = they have passed the first test!
@ldyson22 if they personally know JR, then you marry them on the spot!
There's something about JR
seems like a true original
"Heroin", from their first record with Nico.
@chimaerandi : And I am considering adopting this rule as I learned of jonathan last week.
Fuggs for the Velvets.......good trade.
UNDISLIKABLE.
They say the Velvet Underground during the 65-73 days hardly sold any records. But everyone who bought a VU record started a band.
Jonathan Richmond was one.
@kiloelo Far from it! Listen to the Modern Lovers Self Titled LP with songs Hospital, She Cracked & I'm Straight, Richman was very upfront & outspoken on his choice to not use drugs including Nicotine in a era when everybody was getting high. He's also been stated as being the creator of the original "Straight Edge" movement. The guy's just a great person who's inspired by things from daily life, I do hope he will have Modern Lovers Reunion Tour because it would just be out of this world!!
@5:43 talks about Roadrunner
+Sterling Goodwin Aww, I always find myself wanting to reach through the screen and give him a hug. lol
Heroin, From t he first record
Dunno what started this lil chat, but my goodness are you right....i think ima try it on this beautiful woman i know with whom there is a connection, but we've gone nowhere with it.
Such a funny lunkhead...comparing second takes to being asked to eat pizza a second time for lunch. Why doesn't he have his own tv show?!!
roy roggers
I love the way he talks