I was at the 5 Spot during those shows. We used to go next door to the Chinese restaurant and get egg rolls to smuggle back in. I chewing on one when Sun Ra came up to me and asked " Would you give up your death for me " I nodded and kept chewing. I have a few Saturn Lps I got from them. I got "Space probe " backstage at Symphony space when they did an exhausting double bill with Cecil Taylor. We saw Sun Ra getting a hot dog from a cart during a break. Wish I had a picture of that.
Great story Greg! Would you mind if I added this as a permanent part at the end of the article?: "I was at the 5 Spot during those shows. We used to go next door to the Chinese restaurant and get egg rolls to smuggle back in. I chewing on one when Sun Ra came up to me and asked " Would you give up your death for me " I nodded and kept chewing." Let me know, and THANKS!
Wonderful guest article. Betting I still play the the radio today lps Jim sent to the student radio station at Michigan State University via New Music Distribution back in the late’70’s early 1980’s.
I worked at the Jazz Record Mart in Chicago from 1980-83. In addition to the 2 El-Saturn records proprietor Bob Koester released on the Delmark label, there was a cache of several El-Saturn titles in the stock room. They were all in blank white sleeves with non-descript labels.
Thanks for posting the memories of Sun Ra by Jim Eigo. I remember seeing Ra and his full entourage around 1973 at a small loft-like space on upper west side NYC, but instead of chanting the “Death” phrase to everyone at every table he merely kept saying “It’s a BAD truth…it’s a BAD truth…it’s a BAD truth…” As a 15 year old newly minted jazz fan from Rochester, NY, I was (along with my equally young friend) bewildered and in awe. The seriousness with which everyone in the band approached the music told me that they were onto something that I just didn’t yet understand.
That's great. Yes, he certainly did Not chant the same thing every time--it changed quickly and frequently--but I too DID see him during one of his "It's a BAD truth" gigs! And yes, good musicians were devoted to him, so one knew he was onto something. THANK YOU BRUCE!
Ra did the same show with the film, dancers, the give your death chant, and all the stars, both on the bandstand and in the sky, during a two week gig at the Smiling Dog Saloon on West 25th Street in Cleveland. It must have been a year later, because the gig also spanned Halloween. And on Halloween he took the show to the Agora Theatre which, in the '20s as the Metropolitan Theater had presented a Eubie Blake show including yet unknown Josephine Baker.
I was a jazz critic at the time for the Cleveland Press and thus got invited to a party at the Smiling Dog owners house. June Tyson was an absolute delight to chat with. At the party Ra told me about his film "Space is the Place." I also managed a movie theatre at the time and arranged to have the film shipped to us for a midnight showing. I had to pick it up from Greyhound Freight. It was 35 mm and heavy as hell.
In the '90s, as the director of the Northeast Ohio Jazz Society, I booked the band for a concert at Cain Park, a beautiful outdoor facility. The band arrived on a bus, tired as hell, and Ra wasn't doing too well. June was pretty much taking care of him. We had food and refreshments for them in the Green Room. After the concert June politely asked if they could take the left overs to their hotel. "June", I said, "this food is yours. Of course." All of my dealings with everyone involved with Sun Ra were most pleasant.
And yes, I have a couple of the home made albums. Bought them in a record store in downtown Philadelphia in the sixties.
Hello John! Wow--what great stories. Thanks much for sharing these with us. Nice to hear that the band including Tyson were such nice people too. THANK YOU JOHN!
I was at the 5 Spot during those shows. We used to go next door to the Chinese restaurant and get egg rolls to smuggle back in. I chewing on one when Sun Ra came up to me and asked " Would you give up your death for me " I nodded and kept chewing. I have a few Saturn Lps I got from them. I got "Space probe " backstage at Symphony space when they did an exhausting double bill with Cecil Taylor. We saw Sun Ra getting a hot dog from a cart during a break. Wish I had a picture of that.
Great story Greg! Would you mind if I added this as a permanent part at the end of the article?: "I was at the 5 Spot during those shows. We used to go next door to the Chinese restaurant and get egg rolls to smuggle back in. I chewing on one when Sun Ra came up to me and asked " Would you give up your death for me " I nodded and kept chewing." Let me know, and THANKS!
I'm going to add it, and if you don't approve I'll delete it. THANKS!
Wonderful guest article. Betting I still play the the radio today lps Jim sent to the student radio station at Michigan State University via New Music Distribution back in the late’70’s early 1980’s.
On the radio today
Great--yes, those probably came from Sun Ra through Jim! THANK YOU LAZARO!
I worked at the Jazz Record Mart in Chicago from 1980-83. In addition to the 2 El-Saturn records proprietor Bob Koester released on the Delmark label, there was a cache of several El-Saturn titles in the stock room. They were all in blank white sleeves with non-descript labels.
Very cool--I guess he didn't get around to decorating every LP--thanks for sharing Randy!
Sun Ra was an outstanding musician and a great showman.
Absolutely. THANKS DAVID!
I saw Sun Ra in 1968 in a small venue somewhere in the West Village. He sat on a throne and explained his "cosmic" philosophy.
Great--thanks for sharing that Peter!
Thanks for posting the memories of Sun Ra by Jim Eigo. I remember seeing Ra and his full entourage around 1973 at a small loft-like space on upper west side NYC, but instead of chanting the “Death” phrase to everyone at every table he merely kept saying “It’s a BAD truth…it’s a BAD truth…it’s a BAD truth…” As a 15 year old newly minted jazz fan from Rochester, NY, I was (along with my equally young friend) bewildered and in awe. The seriousness with which everyone in the band approached the music told me that they were onto something that I just didn’t yet understand.
That's great. Yes, he certainly did Not chant the same thing every time--it changed quickly and frequently--but I too DID see him during one of his "It's a BAD truth" gigs! And yes, good musicians were devoted to him, so one knew he was onto something. THANK YOU BRUCE!
amazing info and story 🌅🦁
Thank you!
Ra did the same show with the film, dancers, the give your death chant, and all the stars, both on the bandstand and in the sky, during a two week gig at the Smiling Dog Saloon on West 25th Street in Cleveland. It must have been a year later, because the gig also spanned Halloween. And on Halloween he took the show to the Agora Theatre which, in the '20s as the Metropolitan Theater had presented a Eubie Blake show including yet unknown Josephine Baker.
I was a jazz critic at the time for the Cleveland Press and thus got invited to a party at the Smiling Dog owners house. June Tyson was an absolute delight to chat with. At the party Ra told me about his film "Space is the Place." I also managed a movie theatre at the time and arranged to have the film shipped to us for a midnight showing. I had to pick it up from Greyhound Freight. It was 35 mm and heavy as hell.
In the '90s, as the director of the Northeast Ohio Jazz Society, I booked the band for a concert at Cain Park, a beautiful outdoor facility. The band arrived on a bus, tired as hell, and Ra wasn't doing too well. June was pretty much taking care of him. We had food and refreshments for them in the Green Room. After the concert June politely asked if they could take the left overs to their hotel. "June", I said, "this food is yours. Of course." All of my dealings with everyone involved with Sun Ra were most pleasant.
And yes, I have a couple of the home made albums. Bought them in a record store in downtown Philadelphia in the sixties.
Hello John! Wow--what great stories. Thanks much for sharing these with us. Nice to hear that the band including Tyson were such nice people too. THANK YOU JOHN!