Today’s Music Video Monday is on a Tuesday, and it’s got what the world needs now.
Ten years ago tomorrow, Memphis-born singer/songwriter Arthur Lee passed away. Lee’s group Love was not the most famous band to come out of the fertile musical ground of the late 1960s, but they left an indelible impression on everyone who heard them. Here’s Lee sporting some killer diamond-shaped shades on American Bandstand in 1966.
Music Video Monday on Tuesday: Love
Lee had his finger on the pulse of California folk rock before it was even a thing. He was equally at home writing sweet, melodic hooks and leading psych rock jams, such as in this show from Copenhagen in 1970.
Music Video Monday on Tuesday: Love (3)
Here’s another psychedelic stunner from that same show.
Music Video Monday on Tuesday: Love (4)
In the early aughts, after being overlooked for decades, his music enjoyed a revivial, and Lee came out of retirement. Here he is rocking the Glastonbury Festival in 2003 with a full string section and horn line!
Music Video Monday on Tuesday: Love (5)
In keeping with the tradition of Memphis musicians being more appreciated in England than in the U.S., here’s Lee performing his most famous song “Alone Again Or” for Jools Holland’s BBC show.
Music Video Monday on Tuesday: Love (2)
Thanks to Adam Remsen, Dan Ball, and Greg Roberson for suggesting Lee when I turned to Facebook in search of fresh blood for Music Video Monday. As always, if you have a music video you would like to see in this space, email me at cmccoy@memphisflyer.com, or hit me up on Facebook.
