Sometimes I have an obvious idea for the Celebrity Jukebox and think, "this'll be a quick one, there won't be that many other songs". And then I learn my lesson.
Arthur Lee was born in Memphis in 1945. He first recorded with The LAGS when he was 18. He wrote the almost-hit My Diary for Rosa Lee Brooks, featuring a young Jimi Hendrix on guitar. Then he formed The American Four and wrote for Ronnie and the Pomona Casuals, a band who liked to make records about the dance craze known as The Jerk. And then he fell in Love, and everything changed... forever.
Here are some songs that mention Arthur, starting with Robyn Hitchcock...
The wreck of the Arthur Lee Will never return again The captain and all his men Went up and jumped overboard "Jesus is Lord" they cried Believe in love! Believe in Love And I'll believe in you
In 1996, Arthur Lee was sent to prison "for a crime he did not commit". He spent five and a half years before someone else confessed to the crime, the original prosecutor was found guilty of misconduct, and the charges against him were reversed on appeal. While he was inside, two of his former bandmates died, so a proposed Love reunion was never to be.
Arthur lying down dreaming a dream Woke up to realise life wasn't as it seems Four walls a bed and a wonderful view But he's feeling lonely without the rest of his crew The prison's going down
Walter Schreifels was the frontman of a bunch of New York bands starting in the mid-80s, including Rival Schools, Quicksand and Walking Concert. And here he is on his own...
"Tactics were one of the most celebrated acts on Australia's new wave scene," says their bandcamp page. But that also tells me they're from France, so what do I know?
And those were just the ones I could find links to. Plenty more where they came from... but let's pause to consider a few more well known names. Like Shack. Did you know that in the 90s, Shack were Arthur Lee's backing band? Well, you do now.
How can you shine so bright and still you shine for me? Travelling through the night a million miles with me Listening to Wild Mountain Thyme, The Byrds and Arthur Lee
David Bowie was Hunky Dory Aladdin quite insane Give the sound of Arthur Lee with Forever Changes, I'll remember And more again, don't leave me ever Buddy Holly said, "Baby, please be mine" All the time.
Beware of the man who only shows you the best bits Beware of the band who type out their set lists Sometimes instead of Arthur Lee I’d much prefer some Arthur Lowe And with you by my side I would aspire to ascend Such heights where we’d find Tears and laughter cease to matter And we’d be pleasantly surprised By our annual water bill
All of which brings us to the inevitable. Unarguably the greatest tune ever to name-drop the Love frontman, it's also a highlight of one of the greatest albums of the 80s...
Looking like a born again, living like a heretic Listening to Arthur Lee records, making all your friends feel so guilty About their cynicism and the rest of their generation Not even the government are gonna stop you now But are you ready to be heartbroken ? Are you ready to be heartbroken ?
