Arthur Lee: 1945-2006
Saturday August 5, 2006
The similarities between Arthur Lee and Syd Barrett are striking. Barrett, co-founder of Pink Floyd, credits Lee's band, Love as one of Floyd's early influences. Both were in the forefront of psychedelic rock. Both men were variously described as erratic, troubled, eccentric. Both had chronic health problems. Barrett was 60 when he died last month. Lee was 61 at the time of his death earlier this week (August 3) from leukemia.
Lee and various incarnations of Love released 11 studio albums between 1966 and 1995, with Lee producing another three as a solo artist in the 70s and early 80s. Lee had continued to tour with the latest Love lineup until late in 2005. During the 80s and 90s he was arrested on various drug, assault and firearms charges, eventually serving time in prison.
Lee was born, and died, in Memphis, Tennessee. Read more about the life of Arthur Lee ...
Album cover image courtesy Big Beat Records
Comments
RIP Arthur Lee, my hero.
Also, RIP Kim Moon Mclagan –
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Former British model Kim McLagan, who endured a violent marriage to late Who drummer Keith Moon and then enjoyed a more stable union with ex-Faces keyboardist Ian McLagan, was killed in a car crash near Austin, Texas on Wednesday, the American-Statesman reported.
Arthur Lee was very precious artist.I’ve never been tired of his music.He had a very magical style in music.’Love’ should sold millions.
thanks so much for your commentary on the similarities between arthur lee and syd barrett. considered by both friends and enemies alike to be larger-than-life, radiant types their whole lives, even when they didn’t want to be. the comparison needs even further explanation and exploration. i even think they looked alike. another important comparison was their unique connection to the english language, their seemingly effortless ability with words and, as someone somewhere also said, the ability to “exploit the loopholes” of the language.