I really like Larry Rivers -- painter, musician, genuinely peculiar person, possibly dangerous to himself and others, a real hipster at heart. I've read his autobiography, entitled What Did I Do?, and enjoyed learning about his varied career. Since then I've tried to find additional material about him and the clip above has been a good discovery. It's disheartening to realize that this video has less than 100 views on Youtube. Well, 'twas ever thus.
Another reason I like this clip is Phoebe Legere, who's playing the piano. I'm embarrassed to say I did not know her work but she's really funny and talented. In fact, she may be one of those hypertalented people like Dick Van Dyke who are like toasters or television sets plugged directly into an atomic power plant. In a way Jerry Lewis was also like that. Don't miss Jerry's final Labor Day telethon this year! I don't think he'll be on camera very much but he will sing, for the last time, "You'll Never Walk Alone."
-- Mitch S.
Great post, Mitch. I reviewed "What Did I Do?" for the Washington Post when the book came out in December 1992. I loved it -- and the review got me invited to a dinner for Larry Rivers. Arthur Miller was there and Larry kept calling him Artie. Larry loved playing saxophone -- and singing. I believe that at his funeral they played a tape of Larry singing "Everything Happens to Me." -- DL
Posted by: The Best American Poetry | June 12, 2011 at 12:49 AM
Thank you for sharing the Larry Livers and Phoebe Regere YouTube video. I liked it and your remarks very much, and I like Phoebe Legere singing You've Changed as it probably had never been sung before or since--go Phoebe!!!
Thought you might like this, too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZgW3AJ4zCg
Posted by: Chicago Observer | June 15, 2011 at 05:59 PM