Well, it appears that I’ve died. Passed away, departed, checked out, left this earthly vale, kicked the bucket, left town… you get the idea. I went home, as it were on Saturday February 2nd, 2019, at the age of 73 after lengthy treatments for stomach cancer. I am survived by Liz, my loving wife of 23 years.
I was born and raised in the Bronx, the only son of Carl, a carpenter, and Edna, a housewife and excellent cook of comfort food. As a child, I was coddled by my three sisters. I have tried to live a life of kindness and understanding. Perhaps that is what led me to social work while in college.
Looking back, I realize that I’ve been an explorer of sorts, open to new experiences and adventures. My work life has been… varied. I stopped counting after 28 jobs, but can say I learned something from each job. Eventually, I got into tech writing and then marketing for hi-tech and medical companies. When I retired in 2007, I was working for Public Art Saint Paul.
Music & Me
My “Baby Book” (do they still have them?) tells of me loving my little turntable and golden records. My sister Lorraine turned me on to the music of Big Joe Turner and Fats Domino when I was about ten, and a few years later I became a teenage deejay, using one of those 45-only turntables for Friday Night dances at a church basement in the Bronx. I kept up my interest in music through college, and chose music for parties throughout my twenties and thirties. I started hosting shows on KFAI radio in 1981. Over 28 years I hosted three different shows and subbed for many others. I’ve been involved in producing a couple of outdoor festivals, as well as a show called Saint Paul Live! for KBEM and have served on the board of the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education.
As a music writer, I interviewed folks like James Brown, Bobby Blue Bland, Nick Lowe, Bo Diddley, Allen Toussant, and Esperanza Spaulding, as well as numerous Twin Cities musicians. I started my blog, RhythmandGrooves.net, in 2010, and have written weekly on upcoming music events as well as featuring an occasional interview.
Adventures: High and Low
My adventures have included biking from Minneapolis to New Orleans; traveling with a band on tour in Peru, during which I spent a day at Machu Picchu and took part in a cleansing ceremony led by Incan shamans. I’ve visited pyramids in Mexico and Guatemala; hitchhiked cross-country a number of times; played tambourine and sang back-up in front of thousands of Luther Leaguers. Liz and I saw the “Wrapped Reichstag” in Berlin; visited the hamlet where my father lived in Finland; lived in the Netherlands for three years; visited Havana twice; built homes in Costa Rica; and, along with my wife Liz, were the only Americans on a bus traversing the Finland/Russia border.
Here are a few things I have learned, in no particular order:
- When working road construction, never, ever leave your lunch bucket where it can get run over by a truck
- When the computer asks, “Delete file?” Always take a moment, and a deep breath, before hitting the key
- Even if it’s after midnight and you’re dead tired from working 14 hours, always take a shower after spending an evening cleaning a turkey processing plant
- Having the Pope in town is no guarantee for success in selling Pope T-shirts
- Always be open to exploration — even if it’s just trying some new food
- The more you travel, the more you understand the traits that tie us together are stronger than the traits that separate us
- Having a partner that can use humor to point out foibles and miscommunications helps keep a relationship on an even, happy keel
That’s it. It’s been a good life. I’m leaving behind a loving wife, Liz, whom I adore, two sisters, Janet and Rene, and a passel of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many good-hearted, loving friends. Thanks to everyone for their support during these last few years. See you on the other side, wherever that may be.
A memorial / celebration service featuring some of the area bands that I have been so fond of will be held in March at the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis.
Please share if you knew Larry.
Posted by Larry 
Dear Friends;
We’ve made it past the January thaw, and hopefully will still have a few more days that are conducive to getting out. My recovery from some health issues is taking longer than expected, so once again my descriptions are short, but will hopefully pique your interest. . Get out if you’ve the energy, because Music Lifts the Spirit!
We’ve made it past the holiday celebrations, to a week of relative quiet on the music scene as some venues are not featuring music until the weekend, if then. Frankly, health issues have kept me from doing much research, so this is a rather short, and descriptive-less newsletter. That said, there are a few noteworthy events taking place. Get out if you’ve the energy, because Music Lifts the Spirit!
Well, 2018 is coming to an end, and whether you can’t wait for it to be over, or simply look forward to a fresh start, there are all manner of celebrations taking place. I’m suggesting a few, including some lower-price events, but there’s bound to be a special event in most every restaurant and bar you can shake a stick at. You can also catch some holiday visitors who have put together shows while in town. We’re blessed to have so many cultural offerings in the metro area. Here’s wishing you a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year! Remember, Music Lifts Your Spirits!
The Winter Solstice, when we have the shortest amount of daylight is Friday, while Festivus, the made-up holiday from Seinfeld, is Sunday. Christmas, with its message of hope and good will to mankind, is Tuesday. So… there are gigs celebrating each this week, as well as gigs from area musicians who are home for the holidays. This gives you an opportunity to bring guests to some great gigs, or to take some time for yourself in this super-busy season. After all, Music Lifts Your Spirit!
Lots of interesting shows from resident artists yhis week, including young musicians home from college for the holidays; an all-star tribute to the recently passed Roy Hargrove, some garage rock holiday celebrations, a bluegrass Christmas, and a dance celebration of A Charlie Brown Christmas.
It seems the flow of visiting artists has slowed this week, at least for the smaller venues that I generally cover. Nevertheless there are a number of interesting, and sometimes holiday-themed shows being done by resident artists. Whether celebrating the holidays or not, remember, Music Lifts Your Spirit!
It may not be officially winter yet, but it is beginning to sound a lot like Christmas, or any of the other29 or so holidays celebrated by a number of the world’s religions this time of year. Both visiting and resident artists are beginning to include holiday music in their shows, though it’s easy enough to find alternatives if you’re not quite ready for prime-time holiday songs. Music Lifts Your Spirit!
We’ve a cornucopia of performances this weekend, from Thanksgiving Eve through Sunday, with a nice balance of visiting and resident musicians, both young and mature, to help you celebrate, commiserate, and even dance off some of your Thanksgiving stuffing.
rhythm and grooves 