PD Larson shares his memories.
photo by David Refern
Curtiss A - photo by David DeYoung
I had just moved into the house i still live in today in NE Mpls and was sitting on a hand-me-down sectional couch i got from my grams -- the most hideous pink creation you could ever imagine; i think even she was glad to get rid of it -- watching Monday Night Football, just like zillions of other couch potatoes at the time. While watching the game, I was also casually going through some early notes for a story about The Replacements that eventually became the first major feature about them, a cover story in Sweet Potato, the predecessor to City Pages. My stoner roommate had just taken another hit from the bong when Cosell broke in with the news. I can still remember pretty much every detail of the moment -- the smell in the air, the look of my living room at the time, "shocking news from New York City..." coming across the tube. After hearing the news..."i heard the news today, oh boy"… well, i just sat there, stunned, devestated even.
The Beatles occupied a unique position in my world, and had since early 1964. Ever since those culture-shattering Ed Sullivan appearances in February 1964, i had been a resolute Beatles fan, a turn of events that quickly resulted in me becoming a fanatical music buff, an obsession that continues to this day. And once i figured out who was who in the Beatles, I became an unabashed "John guy." He was clearly the "smart one" and the "cool one" -- you could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. It's not like i didn't care about the other Beatles -- hell, they were the Fab Four -- but Lennon was the closest thing to a "hero" in my early days and things pretty much stayed that way through the ensuing years, even though the late 70s had seen Lennon fall almost completely off the cultural radar as he submerged into the joys of domesticity up on Central Park West.
After recovering from the shock of hearing the Lennon news on TV -- and, yes, it felt like a kick right to the gnads -- I headed downtown to First Ave. for no other reason than it seemed like the right thing to do, kinda like going to a rock 'n' roll "church." When i got down there, nothing was going on in the main room, so i made my way into the just opened 7th St. Entry annex next door. Curtiss A -- a local rising star at the time, then in his prime, also known as the "Dean of Scream" -- had gathered with some of his band members (including future Replacement Bob Dunlap; he didn't become "Slim" until Westerberg saddled him with that nickname several years later) and other various local musicians, including some of the Hypstrz. They basically just started playing a bunch of John songs -- a wholly spontaneous tribute. As the night progressed, more shell-shocked people continued to arrive and joined us in commiserating and drinking away the pain.
The following year, Curt reprised the tribute in the Entry and it's continued to this day through thick and thin. It's now become an "event" and routinely fills up the main room. Curt assembles a huge rock orchestra for this every year now and they not only play scads of John Beatle songs, they also play everything from the old rock 'n' roll standards that inspired John's songs all the way up to solo material from "Double Fantasy." And, since 2001, they also now include a set of George songs as well; this is a tribute, unfortunately, that will keep growing as the sands of time march on. The performances are always a blast, mixing joy and sorrow in equal measures. It's also become a major social BFD for many locals; it's kinda like a wake, holiday party & high school/family reunion all rolled into one. It's especially a treat to hear live versions of all the post-Revolver Beatles songs that were never performed live by the Fab Four themselves. Depending on the calendar and what's booked at the club, the show lasts anywhere from 3 to 4 hours. There was a particularly memorable outing a few years back at which Curt and company played for 4+ hours in the main room stage and then moved into the Entry when the regular weekend dance night thing started at 11. Once in the Entry, the festivities continued until 2 am, making for a 7.5 hour marathon. At one point the entire John Lennon Rock 'n' Roll covers album was played in order. Now that's what i call a f**king tribute!
So, tonight i'll be doing what i've been doing every single December 8th for the last 27 years. I don't see quite as many old friends as i used to, the club is under new management and i obviously have a pretty good idea of what to expect, but i honestly can't imagine being anywhere else on this date. I guess i'll be going as long as Curt and his friends keep doing it.
RIP John. RIP George.
"War is over, if you want it"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH-A7B1iyeI
http://www.citypages.com/cp25/pages/00181_030481.asp
http://www.first-avenue.com/Calendar/event_1426.aspx
http://www.vita.mn/event_detail.php?event_id=48130
http://www.howwastheshow.com/index.cfm/action/reviews.view/reviewKey/340
