20 Comments
User's avatar
Marylyn Coffey's avatar

Thanks so much for this! I listened to all the songs, and realized I'd heard "Roadrunner" many times at some point in my life, but I cannot remember the circumstances. It's a cheerful punk song, and I actually sang along. Jonathan Richman performed here in Huntsville, Alabama, at a downtown club, about 15 years ago. He requested that a magician be his opening act. My husband was that magician. My husband (also one of your subscribers) told me that Richman openly wept while playing some of his more sentimental songs.

Expand full comment
Paul Tatara's avatar

That's a fantastic story, too! I've been meaning to write back to you, Marilyn. Thanks for reading! Your husband is a great guy. I always enjoy my Facebook interactions with him. I believe we met through a mutual friend- the late, great Paul Whisenant. Am I right about that?

Expand full comment
Marylyn Coffey's avatar

Yes. Paul Whisenant was kind and clever. We miss him. Did Russell ever send you that little film he was in that was written by Paul? Basically about "prescriptivism" in English grammar...

Expand full comment
Scott Leuthold's avatar

Thanks Paul. When Richman played Einstein a Go-Go in 1990, the Jax Beach club owner called to ask if we could bring one of our Fender amps out for him. He was touring by Greyhound and walked eighteen miles to the club, carrying a backpack and his guitar. As Liz and I drove him (three across in the front of my Mazda pickup) back downtown after the show he grilled us about why we hadn’t danced more during his performance. “I prefer the audiences in Africa” he said. “They really feel it.”

Expand full comment
Paul Tatara's avatar

That's amazing! What did you talk about otherwise??

Expand full comment
Matthew Dobbins's avatar

Lovely. I'm going to dig in deeper. "...a rock & roller who doesn’t want to wake up his parents while he plays"--love that.

And I'm curious how Scooby and a stiff shot of tequila became the obvious disimillar (very nice!).

Expand full comment
Paul Tatara's avatar

I had a bottle of tequila on my desk. No idea where Scooby came from! He’s always in my head, I guess!

Expand full comment
Dan Rice's avatar

Man - I had not thought about Jonathan Richman in a long while and I am listening to ML 88 now. You first introduced me to him in Auburn. After college, I really got into his solo stuff and saw him several times in Atl, He definitely took his own path but it was all with authenticity and passion. Good piece to take me back.

Expand full comment
Paul Tatara's avatar

Thanks, Dan. Hope you and the family are good.

Expand full comment
Kira Thomsen-Cheek's avatar

My husband is a super fan. I thought this piece was lovely, and have sent it to him. Thanks!

Expand full comment
Lisa Ingellis's avatar

Saw Jonathan in 1986 at the Second Story in Bloomington. Great show, but I’m a sucker for the guy. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/jonathan-richman/1986/second-story-nightclub-bloomington-in-738b7295.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Expand full comment
Chris Collins's avatar

I love this because I never really knew a LOT about Jonathan Richman other than the headlines. I'm gonna do a bit of a deeper dive today because of this. thanks!

Expand full comment
Michael Brennan's avatar

I really love a few of the later albums with drummer Larkins and a Spanish sounding guitar, Moon Queen of Night and Because Her Beauty. Also, there are still so many outstanding unreleased recordings from first wave Modern Lovers, mostly on YouTube—the one about Beverly MA in particular is quite moving.

Expand full comment
Alec Hemer's avatar

A great escape from the news for sure! I love Johnathan Richman! Thanks Paul!

Expand full comment
Paul Tatara's avatar

I'm glad to know you're reading and enjoying, Al. Really.

Expand full comment
Mama Mama's avatar

Thanks for sharing The Cool Stuff Paul!

Expand full comment
The Blockhead Chronicles's avatar

Saw Richman play in 1986. After the first song, he turned the house lights ON so he could see us (and we could see each other)! A wonderful memory.

Also, “Walter Johnson.” And from that first album, “Dignified and Old,” which has provided me solace during down times, and was a deliberate answer to “hope I die before I get old.”

Make the secretaries feel better, too.

Expand full comment
Paul Tatara's avatar

I must have seen him here in NYC around 1993 or 94. He wore only a pair of blue faded jeans- no shirt and no shoes.

Expand full comment
Robert N Bernard's avatar

Oh Ice Cream Man... Ring your bell. Ding ding.

Expand full comment