In 1958, Al Kooper, the famous musician, songwriter and producer, was a guitarist from Brooklyn, New York, starting out playing with the Royal Teens. They became famous for recording a novelty song that became a hit that year, “Short Shorts.” Kooper was only 14 years old when the Royal Teens made it, and he didn’t even play on the recording session for the song, but it got him started in what was then called “the record business.”
Lucian, you are one of the best writers I know. I only wish I could write as well as you.
Thank you for another wonderful column. While I enjoy the hell out of your political writings, it’s your memories and personal recollections that get me every time.
A wonderful piece that reminds me of my own time in 1967 as a 21 year old man newly-sprung-from-the military and veteran of the War in Southeast Asia now enrolled in college across the Hudson River in northern New Jersey. I used to go to those clubs that you see in grainy black and white film footage of Greenwich Village in the 60’s and dive into the scene in places like the Village Gate, Cafe Bizarro, The Fillmore East, and others based around Bleecker and McDougal Streets. I was so eager to learn all about this culture that I had only read about in magazines like Esquire and Life, & in stories by Tom Wolfe.
I just finished watching the excellent documentary on Paul Simon (“In Restless Dreams” 2024 Amazon Prime) and it brought it all rushing back. In fact, when they highlighted Simon & Garfunkel’s free concert in the summer of 1981 in Central Park, I told my wife, I remember that night! I was driving a cab and got stuck in traffic on E 79th after the concert was over when thousands of fans emptied out of the park and flooded the streets.
Oh Lucian, you are one of the most lyrical prose writers I've read - straight to the heart. I keep quoting you in our local Indivisible newsletter. Thank you thank you.
I think your readers, as do I, feel much gratitude for your efforts as an independent and experienced voice in public affairs to bring clarity and understanding to complex issues. Your words are often a high point in my day. Your perseverance during what could be your retirement years is laudable, and please keep doing it for as long as you want to and can. I enjoy being able to comment, and realizing how many intelligent, insightful, and talented subscribers there are here. Be well.
Lucian, you just keep topping yourself! What you’ve written applies to almost every field of human endeavor. Tomorrow I’ll be sharing this with my team of leaders in healthcare finance. It’s that universally applicable…
Reading the piece, I was thinking how directly Lucian's insights apply to computer programming. But healthcare finance?! I guess creativity just is what it is wherever it kicks in..
Wow! Thank you for this. I didn't know Al Kooper, whose work with Dylan, The Blues Project, BS&T, and the Super Session I've long loved, and who performed on a harbor cruise on my second date with Martha, now my wife, was primarily a guitar player until he was able to cajole his way into playing organ on "Like a Rolling Stone." It was only four chords, but he did them magnificently. I did know he was part, if only occasionally, of the Royal Teens, whose one big hit, "Short Shorts," I found obnoxious while I was in sixth grade. One evening during seventh grade I was listening to WDAE, Tampa's "Top 40" station, when the DJ announced a "Pick Hit," a song called "Believe Me" by the Royal Teens. It was a song that spoke directly to my lovesick fourteen year old heart; slow doo-wop with lush harmonies and tinkling piano by, as I now know, Bob Gaudio, who co-wrote the song and later became one of the "Jersey Boys" in the Four Seasons, and wrote or co-wrote all of their hits. Although "Believe Me" was a "Pick Hit" I never heard it again on WDAE; indeed, I didn't hear it until sometime around 1979-80 when, browsing in a Village used record store, I found a Royal Teens compilation album. I bought it and rushed home to play the song that had been perfectly engraved on my memory for over twenty years. I don't know if Al Kooper is on "Belive Me," but I'd like to believe he is. Here's the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAK04ktLzCk
It's our joy and privilege to have your articles to read and remember and share our comments
Lucian, you are one of the best writers I know. I only wish I could write as well as you.
Thank you for another wonderful column. While I enjoy the hell out of your political writings, it’s your memories and personal recollections that get me every time.
Well I am one of many that is so very glad that you persevered at the Village Voice and continued to follow your passion for writing.
This was the most engaging and interesting thing I read all day! Now I have to go listen to Like a Rolling Stone again.
Great comment, this story should come with a soundtrack but Lucian's writing made me feel like I'm there anyway. Very evocative.
Amen!
Just a beautiful story about writing and music which I’ve always felt were the same thing.
I’m feeling overwhelming gratitude for your great memoir writing. Thank you so much. ❤️
Your writing is as powerful today as it was then. Filled with knowledge, and now the wisdom of reflection and insight you earn in a lifetime.
When I left home my mother said “be careful”, my father said “be fearless”.
You were fearless. You still are.
When I met James Brown, as I was shaking his hand, I said, "James, I've been a huge fan of yours since I was a kid."
"Whoa, don't say that! You make me feel old!" was his reply with a smile.
A wonderful piece that reminds me of my own time in 1967 as a 21 year old man newly-sprung-from-the military and veteran of the War in Southeast Asia now enrolled in college across the Hudson River in northern New Jersey. I used to go to those clubs that you see in grainy black and white film footage of Greenwich Village in the 60’s and dive into the scene in places like the Village Gate, Cafe Bizarro, The Fillmore East, and others based around Bleecker and McDougal Streets. I was so eager to learn all about this culture that I had only read about in magazines like Esquire and Life, & in stories by Tom Wolfe.
I just finished watching the excellent documentary on Paul Simon (“In Restless Dreams” 2024 Amazon Prime) and it brought it all rushing back. In fact, when they highlighted Simon & Garfunkel’s free concert in the summer of 1981 in Central Park, I told my wife, I remember that night! I was driving a cab and got stuck in traffic on E 79th after the concert was over when thousands of fans emptied out of the park and flooded the streets.
Oh Lucian, you are one of the most lyrical prose writers I've read - straight to the heart. I keep quoting you in our local Indivisible newsletter. Thank you thank you.
Well, okay, but the debt is ours as you find what it is we're all thinking and feeling. Like any great song that strikes that chord common to us all.
Thanks
Love this one
I think your readers, as do I, feel much gratitude for your efforts as an independent and experienced voice in public affairs to bring clarity and understanding to complex issues. Your words are often a high point in my day. Your perseverance during what could be your retirement years is laudable, and please keep doing it for as long as you want to and can. I enjoy being able to comment, and realizing how many intelligent, insightful, and talented subscribers there are here. Be well.
I agree 100%
Well put. I often come away from Lucian’s writing feeling grateful for the experience of his lyrical prose.
This is one more of your irreplaceable accounts, and a great break from the violence and stupidity dominating the news cycles.
Lucian, you just keep topping yourself! What you’ve written applies to almost every field of human endeavor. Tomorrow I’ll be sharing this with my team of leaders in healthcare finance. It’s that universally applicable…
Reading the piece, I was thinking how directly Lucian's insights apply to computer programming. But healthcare finance?! I guess creativity just is what it is wherever it kicks in..
Wow! Thank you for this. I didn't know Al Kooper, whose work with Dylan, The Blues Project, BS&T, and the Super Session I've long loved, and who performed on a harbor cruise on my second date with Martha, now my wife, was primarily a guitar player until he was able to cajole his way into playing organ on "Like a Rolling Stone." It was only four chords, but he did them magnificently. I did know he was part, if only occasionally, of the Royal Teens, whose one big hit, "Short Shorts," I found obnoxious while I was in sixth grade. One evening during seventh grade I was listening to WDAE, Tampa's "Top 40" station, when the DJ announced a "Pick Hit," a song called "Believe Me" by the Royal Teens. It was a song that spoke directly to my lovesick fourteen year old heart; slow doo-wop with lush harmonies and tinkling piano by, as I now know, Bob Gaudio, who co-wrote the song and later became one of the "Jersey Boys" in the Four Seasons, and wrote or co-wrote all of their hits. Although "Believe Me" was a "Pick Hit" I never heard it again on WDAE; indeed, I didn't hear it until sometime around 1979-80 when, browsing in a Village used record store, I found a Royal Teens compilation album. I bought it and rushed home to play the song that had been perfectly engraved on my memory for over twenty years. I don't know if Al Kooper is on "Belive Me," but I'd like to believe he is. Here's the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAK04ktLzCk
Fantastic column, Lucian! One of your best! Thank you!
I believe Lucian Truscott has many “bests” that I have been fortunate to read.