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Jonathan Richman (and seeing him live)
New Jersey may have Bruce, but Massachusetts has Jonathan- a guy who has always been unapologetically himself whether it was being totally sober in the 70s, writing pleas for tenderness in a genre known for bravado, dancing in lesbian bars, or driving down to NYC every weekend to be Velvet Underground's biggest fan before anyone else was. a guy who despite being a rock legend, spends his days installing pizza ovens around the san fransisco area.
I've seen him live a few times now, and watching him play his sweet silly songs in an unapologetically sincere + sort of autistic way is somehow just as transgressive as the proto-punk he invented with The Modern Lovers over 50 years ago. I can't help but smile ear to ear for his entire set. effortless humor and charm.
Something that's also stood out to me after seeing him live a few times now, is the way he recontextualizes the classics. When he played "Old World" in 2022 he changed the lyrics to recognize how some things should be left in the past rather than simply romanticizing it. And last night he played with the iconic "Pablo Picasso" to focus less on the swagger of Pablo, and more on how that type of guy is actually kind of an arrogant creep. Angel Prost (of Frost Children) wrote a great essay on Jonathan's reinvention for her email-only newsletter a few years ago, if you'd like to read it I'm sure I can dig it up for you.
From last night- When I was a kid, I wanted to be an oil painter. I was obsessed with colors. Then I heard Velvet Underground and saw you can paint with a guitar
Anyways...if more people were a bit more like Jonathan the world would be a better place. A huge inspiration to me!
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@tyler
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Mar 8, 2024
117
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@iconicindex
Tyler IDK if you have seen this incredible Popula longform piece but if not, I think — based on some of your other posts — you're gonna love it https://popula.com/2018/11/11/something-like-springtime/
Apr 8, 2024
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@blaeke
I saw him in Olympia. He delayed the concert because the "vibrations" were off then did a full, killer set complete with a Rocky impression and many many dance breaks.
Mar 15, 2024
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@trixie
YESSSSS!! We saw him in Baltimore in a wonderful small venue and we were right up front, it was magical and so much fun! He is a gem. Loved every second.
Mar 15, 2024
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@lexlibrix
YESSSS!!! I loved JR AND the Modern Lovers. From all reports, he's a solid all-guy too, even though he apparently has asked stages to be removed so he can stomp around all he wants.
Mar 15, 2024
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@armandhar
I saw him in Bloomington Indiana in college and he was fantastic. Just there to have fun with everyone.
Mar 15, 2024
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@jaskeimig
Saw him perform in Seattle and he literally made all of us cry by closing his wonderful show with an intimate, devastating song about his mother dying. I love him so much
Mar 15, 2024
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@forresth
He lives near where I do now (Chico, Calif.) and we cover one of his Modern Lovers tunes in my band. I hear he's quite approachable.
Mar 15, 2024
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@spencerto
In 2022 he and Ichiko Aoba were performing in Toronto on the same night. I chose Ichiko because my friends were going but I always wonder just what I missed… Jonathan I have not forgotten about you…
Mar 11, 2024
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@bhm
Amen brother ❤️
Mar 10, 2024
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@doublelibra
This is a really lovely article about Jonathan that was published a few years ago. Hope you dig! https://popula.com/2018/11/11/something-like-springtime/#:~:text=Richman%20lived%2C%20for%20a%20time,of%20two%20or%20more%20houses.
Mar 9, 2024
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@coreydubrowa
"That Summer Feeling" is just such a great, unpretentious song -- really the perfect summer song. A bunch of artists have covered it (I particularly dig the Vaccines' cover; Elizabeth Moen's from last year is great too) but Mac from Superchunk and Kelly Hogan did an AV Club version acoustic on top of a bus in Chicago that is also just a fun way to spend five minutes. Jonathan was always a favorite of the Magnet writing crowd when I was there and you can see why. Terrific post. He's a hero.
Mar 9, 2024
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@doublelibra
Saw him in NH last week for the first time since I moved to New England. So great to see he’s still got it! I used to live in the Bay Area, & he lives in Berkeley so he had gigs all the time. Maybe seen him 10 times now? Every show is always completely different, always so charming & lovely. Greatest musician of all time.
Mar 9, 2024
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@yungbirk
Jonathan Goes Country, while being a significant shift from his usual unbelievably enjoyable pop rock, has some serious depth. I think it predicted some of the tongue and cheek, overproduced sound we see now with big country artists like Jelly Roll or Megan Mulroney.
Mar 9, 2024
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@mitra
doesnt he always run to the venue or something like that? like he literally jogs there?
Mar 8, 2024
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@beckybright
saw him last month!! I don't know why i didn't expect his live show but wow my friend and I (i think) were more in love with each other after that show haha
Mar 8, 2024
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@therese
I saw him a year or so ago in Philadelphia on a hot day and he asked the venue to turn the AC off. Not in a diva way, in the most charming caring about the sound quality way
Mar 8, 2024
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@healyourself
one of my favorite Guys of all time, so many great tunes. saw him at mass moca a few summers ago. now is better than before!!
Mar 8, 2024
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@markiemoon
saw him live a few months back and got to chat with him after the show. he was so kind, and very excited to talk to me and my friends about the hybrid minivan he was touring in! 😂
Mar 8, 2024
3
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@buck_mcgraw
"Massachusetts's Bruce Springsteen" put words to a sentiment I've been thinking for a long time
Mar 8, 2024
4

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much to be said about him, both in his utter sincerity and songwriting prowess, I recall finally understanding him when I found a letter he sent to the Velvet Underground in an art museum, at once, so much joy, and so much complexity even just before the Modern Lovers days!
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I seriously love this guy so much and I love him exponentially more now after seeing him live last night. This man is 73 now with the goofiest most pure and youthful spirit! And his dance moves are infectious and his puppy dog eyes and sharp wit!
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the man, the music, the mindset, the little dances on stage. If they could bottle him I'd have a glass a day and I think it'd cure all my ailments.
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