BOC: "recognizing genius"

[Douglas Pearson]

On Thu, 15 Feb 2001 22:52:55 +0000, Nick Medford <nick at HERMIT0.DEMON.CO.UK>
wrote:
>In message <200102152115.QAA08007 at listserv.spc.edu>, Douglas Pearson
><ceres at SIRIUS.COM> writes
>>Reads like a typical "keynote speaker" bio, which is what it is.
>
>Maybe, I just thought there were some pretty arbitrary claims ('the first
>punk record', 'the first Goth record') being touted as objective facts.

In that context ("keynote speaker" or "board member"-type bios), you'll
frequently see instances of exactly that.  For instance, crediting Bob Moog
with "inventing" the synthesizer (he was certainly instrumental in getting
them mass-produced and profitably sold, and unquestionably did ground-
breaking work, but Don Buchla and several others were equally or more
involved in the actual "invention").

>>>A few points:  'heavy metal' is a long established term in chemistry, it
>>>was used by William Burroughs as far back as the 50s (a 'heavy metal kid'
>>>was a typically Burroughsian twisted sci-fi creature, being someone with
a
>>>dependency on said substances), and appears in Steppenwolf's 'Born To Be
>>>Wild' ('heavy metal thunder').
>>
>>... none of which refer to a style of music ...
>
>True, but that's the distinction I was making- between coining a term, and
>applying it in a new way. I mean, I don't know who first used the word
>'bubblegum' to denote a genre of music, but whoever it was I doubt they'd
>claim to have invented the word itself.

Gotcha.  No argument there!

>I know, I'm being pedantic, but bubbles (gum or otherwise) are there to be
>burst.

Pop away!  At least it's a lot easier to say who "invented" bubblegum music
(Kastenatz & Katz, of course, who created the Lemon Pipers, 1910 Fruitgum
Company, Archies, etc. etc.) than who "invented" heavy metal music (got
me!).

>>>Also: the Dictators- the 'first punk record'? Ever heard of the MC5?
>>
>>The Wailers (Seattle, not Kingston) were making records in the 50's.
>>And 'Here Are The Sonics' was at least 5 years before "Looking At You".
>
>Yeah, I didn't really mean the MC5 were the first, I was just pointing up
>the arbitrariness of saying this or that was the first punk record.

They were definitely one of the first.  And still one of the best.

>Although the news that there was something that could be called punk in
>the 50s surprises me! So who or what were the Wailers?

The first punk band, of course ;^)!  From Tacoma (about an hour from
Seattle IIRC), actually.  See:

http://thefabulouswailers.com/biowailers1.html

They ripped!  'The Fabulous Wailers' and their next couple albums are
highly recommended ... I guess they could be considered more "garage"
than "punk", but I always considered "garage" just to be the term for 60s
punk.  If you're familiar with folks like Billy Childish (Thee Headcoats
etc.), you've probably heard a cover of one (or more) of their songs
somewhere down the line.

>>But hey, much better to say the Dictators made the first punk record than
>>to say that the Sex Pistols (or, more accurately, the Damned - them again!
>
>Their 'New Rose' single is often cited as the first UK punk record- again,
>completely arbitrary.

I don't know of any *70's* UK punk record that preceded it.  But in the
60's, there were the likes of the Pretty Things and Johns Children (and the
Deviants) to contend with ...

>Yeah, Maclaren would be a tough guy to beat in a battle of the egos.

I can't even think of who would be a worthy challenger (despite the "bio",
SP doesn't come close!).

>I once saw him in my local supermarket when I lived in Ladbroke Grove.
>He was buying a tin of Campbell's soup (and nothing else). I wondered if
>this was an impromptu piece of Situationist performance art (knowing
>Warhol reference etc.) although if it was, I suspect it was lost on the
>checkout girl. Actually it was lost on me too.

How recently?  Maybe he was gonna auction it on eBay ("A McClaren
Original!").

    -Doug
     ceres at sirius.com