Fort Madison, Iowa
—  City  —
Downtown Fort Madison, 2007
Location of Fort Madison, Iowa
Coordinates: 40°37′43″N 91°20′20″W / 40.62861°N 91.33889°W / 40.62861; -91.33889Coordinates: 40°37′43″N 91°20′20″W / 40.62861°N 91.33889°W / 40.62861; -91.33889
Country	United States
State	Iowa
County	Lee
Area
• Total	13.0 sq mi (33.5 km2)
• Land	9.2 sq mi (23.9 km2)
• Water	3.7 sq mi (9.7 km2)
Elevation	528 ft (161 m)
Population (2000)
• Total	10,715
• Density	1,162.9/sq mi (449.0/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	52627
Area code(s)	319
FIPS code	19-28605
GNIS feature ID	0456689

Old Fort Madison Site
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Monument marking the location of Fort Madison.
Nearest city:	Fort Madison, Iowa
Area:	less than one acre
Built:	1808
Governing body:	State
NRHP Reference#:	73000734[1]
Added to NRHP:	May 7, 1973

Fort Madison, Iowa (pop. 11,000) located along the Mighty Mississippi River in the southeast corner of Iowa. Fort Madison is situated between picturesque bluffs and one of the widest portions of the river. Our community is rich in history, culture and business opportunities abound. Home to innovative and sustainable industries; historic districts; and variety of transportation options including our Scenic Byways, historic rail lines, air, and river access… Fort Madison is "Always Moving" [1]

Attractions[link]

Fort Madison was the location of the first U.S. military fort in the upper Mississippi region; a replica of the fort stands along the river.^[2] Sheaffer Pens were developed and made in Fort Madison for many years. The city is the location of the Iowa State Penitentiary—the state's maximum security prison for men. Fort Madison is the Mississippi river crossing and station stop for Amtrak's Southwest Chief. Fort Madison has the last remaining double swing-span bridge on the Mississippi River, the Fort Madison Toll Bridge. It has a top level for cars and a bottom level for trains; it is also the world's largest [2]. The Fort Madison Downtown Commercial Historic District is a collection of well-preserved historic storefronts from the late 19th century.

• [3]

The Original Fort Madison (1808-1813)[link]

Fort Madison, built in 1808 (1903 artist's interpretation)

The city of Fort Madison was established around the site of the historic Fort Madison (1808–1813), which was the first permanent U.S. military fortification on the Upper Mississippi. Fort Madison was the site of Black Hawk’s first battle against U.S. troops, the only real War of 1812 battle fought west of the Mississippi. It was also the location of the first U.S. military cemetery in the upper Midwest.^[3]

Fort Madison was one of three posts established by the U.S. Army to establish control over the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase territories. Fort Madison was built to control trade and pacify Native Americans in the Upper Mississippi River region. The other two posts were Fort Belle Fontaine near St. Louis, which controlled the mouth of the Missouri, and Fort Osage, near what is now Kansas City, which controlled trade with western Native American tribes.^[4]

Location of the fort[link]

A disputed 1804 treaty with the Sauk and affiliated tribes led to the U.S. claim of control over western Illinois and parts of what is now Iowa. To establish control, the U.S. Army set out to construct a post near the mouth of the Des Moines River, a major trading route into the interior of Iowa. Not finding suitable land near the mouth of the Des Moines, the expedition also considered land near Quashquame’s Sauk and Meskwaki village at the head of the Des Moines Rapids, a choke point of trade and transportation on the Upper Mississippi below modern Montrose. Again, this land was not considered suitable for a fort. The Army settled on a location several miles upstream at what is now the city of Fort Madison.^[5]

First called Fort Belleview, this post was soon deemed inadequate. It was poorly situated at the base of a bluff next to a deep ravine, areas from which enemies could safely fire at the fort. Trade led to resentment among Indians, especially the Sauk; the 1804 treaty was considered invalid by the Sauk, the fort threatened established trading networks, and American trade goods were considered inferior to French or British goods.^[6]

Plans of the Fort Madison, drawn 1810 by the trading post factor, John Johnson.

Black Hawk lamented over the new fort, and disparaged its construction in his autobiography:

A number of people immediately went down to see what was going on, myself among them. On our arrival we found that they were building a fort. The soldiers were busily engaged in cutting timber, and I observed that they took their arms with them when they went to the woods. The whole party acted as they would do in an enemy's country. The chiefs held a council with the officers, or head men of the party, which I did not attend, but understood from them that the war chief had said that they were building homes for a trader who was coming there to live, and would sell us goods very cheap, and that the soldiers were to remain to keep him company. We were pleased at this information ad hoped that it was all true, but we were not so credulous as to believe that all these buildings were intended merely for the accommodation of a trader. Being distrustful of their intentions, we were anxious for them to leave off building and go back down the river.

—Black Hawk, Autobiography (1882)

Attacks on Fort Madison[link]

Almost from the beginning, the fort was attacked by Sauk and other tribes. U.S. troops were harassed when they left the fort, and in April 1809 an attempted storming of the fort was stopped only by threat of cannon fire.^[7]

During its existence, several improvements were made to the fort, including reinforcing the stockade and making it higher, extending the fort to a nearby bluff to provide cover from below, and constructing of additional blockhouses outside the stockade. These improvements could not fully compensate for the poor location of the fort, however, and it was again attacked in March 1812, and was the focus of a coordinated siege in the following September. The September siege was intense, and the fort was nearly overrun. Significant damage resulted to fort-related buildings, and the attack was only stopped when cannon fire destroyed a fortified Indian position.^[8] Black Hawk participated in the siege, and claimed to have personally shot the fort’s flag down.^[9]

Final siege and abandonment[link]

As the War of 1812 expanded to the frontier, British-allied Sauk and other tribes began a determined effort to push out the Americans and reclaim control of the upper Mississippi. Beginning in July 1813, attacks on troops outside the fort led to another siege. Conditions were so dangerous that the bodies of soldiers killed outside the fort could not be recovered, and troops could not leave the fort to collect firewood. Outbuildings were intentionally burned by the Army to prevent them from falling into Indian hands.^[10]

After weeks of paralyzing siege, the Army finally abandoned the post, burning it as they evacuated. They retreated in the dark through a trench to the river, where they escaped on boats. The date of the abandonment is unknown, as much of the military correspondence from this period of the war is missing, but it probably happened in September.^[10] Black Hawk observed the ruins soon after. “We started in canoes, and descended the Mississippi, until we arrived near the place where Fort Madison had stood. It had been abandoned and burned by the whites, and nothing remained but the chimneys. We were pleased to see that the white people had retired from the country.”^[9]

Three active battalions of the current 3rd Infantry (1-3 Inf, 2-3 Inf and 4-3 Inf) perpetuate the lineage of the old 1st Infantry Regiment, which had a detachment at Fort Madison.

Fort ruins and archaeology[link]

Early settlers built their homes near the ruins, and the town of that grew up around them was named for the fort. A large monument was erected in the early 20th century at the fort location. Archaeological excavations in the parking lot of the Sheaffer Pen Company factory in 1965 exposed the central blockhouse of the fort, as well as the foundations of officers’ quarters.^[11] The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.^[1] A replica fort was built several blocks away; much of the labor was supplied by volunteer inmates at the nearby Iowa State Penitentiary.^[2]

Preservation and threats to the fort site[link]

The fort site is now the subject of preservation efforts. After the Sheaffer Pen factory closed in 2007, the site was sold to developers. Arguing that Fort Madison is “Iowa’s most important historical site”, preservationists want to convert the parking lot into a memorial park dedicated to soldiers killed at the fort. So far, no agreement has been reached for its preservation.^[12][13][14]

Geography[link]

The City of Fort Madison is located at 40°37′43″N 91°20′20″W / 40.62861°N 91.33889°W / 40.62861; -91.33889 (40.628588, -91.339005)^[15].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.9 square miles (33 km²), of which 9.2 square miles (24 km²) is land and 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²) (28.88%) is water.

Fort Madison is famous for the Tri-State Rodeo, Mexican Fiesta, Balloons Over the Mississippi, Art in Central Park and Annual Lighted Parade. For more information on Fort Madison events and activities visit the City of Fort Madison,Iowa website at [4] or find us on facebook at [5]

Demographics[link]

At the 2000 census^[16], there were 10,715 people, 4,617 households and 2,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,162.9 per square mile (449.2/km²). There were 5,106 housing units at an average density of 554.2 per square mile (214.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.64% White, 2.67% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 2.36% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.44% of the population.

There were 4,617 households of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.87.

Age distribution was 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.

The median household income was $34,318, and the median family income was $42,067. Males had a median income of $32,530 versus $21,170 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,124. About 9.8% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government[link]

Fort Madison is governed by a Mayor/City Council form of government. The city council consists of a Mayor and seven council members. Five council members are elected from individual wards and two are elected at large. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote. To view current city council members see [6]

Education[link]

Fort Madison has a Junior College Campus Southeastern Community College (Iowa) located at 1602 Avenue F. Fort Madison also has two elementary schools (Richardson and Lincoln), one middle school (Fort Madison Middle School) and one high school (Fort Madison High School) in the Fort Madison Community School District (public). Fort Madison also has a Catholic School System, Holy Trinity High School consists of a junior/senior high school. Holy Trinity Elementary School is located a few miles away in West Point, Iowa.

Transportation[link]

Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, serves Fort Madison, operating its Southwest Chief daily in each direction between Chicago, Illinois, and Los Angeles, California. Fort Madison has a four-lane highway running through the heart of the City, US Highway 61 and Iowa Highway 2. This artery runs east and west following the river and railroad tracks. US Highway 61 connects to US Highway 34 & 218/27, Interstate 80 in Iowa; Interstate 72 in Illinois and Interstate 70 in Missouri. A US Highway 61 by-pass around the City of Fort Madison was completed and opened in the fall of 2011.

Notable people[link]

• Mark W. Balmert, United States Rear admiral
• Ryan Bowen, NBA basketball player
• Todd Farmer, writer, actor, and film producer
• Bob Fry, professional golfer
• Kate Harrington, poet
• Thomas M. Hoenig Chief Executive of the Tenth District Federal Reserve Bank, in Kansas City ^[17]
• James Johnson Duderstadt, President of the University of Michigan
• Patty Judge, 46th Lieutenant Governor
• Jerry Junkins, CEO of Texas Instruments, Incorporated
• Dick Klein, Founder of the Chicago Bulls
• Anna Malle, pornographic actress
• James Theodore Richmond, writer and conservationist
• Aloysius Schulte, first President of St. Ambrose College
• Walter A. Sheaffer, founder of the W.A. Sheaffer Pen Company
• George Henry Williams, United States Senator

References[link]

1. ^ ^{a b} "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2010-07-09. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Old Fort Madison: http://www.oldfortmadison.com/
3. ^ For general histories of Fort Madison, refer to Jackson 1958, 1960, 1966; Prucha 1964, 1969; Van der Zee 1913, 1914, 1918.
4. ^ Prucha (1964, 1969)
5. ^ Jackson (1958, 1960)
6. ^ Jackson (1960); Van der Zee (1914)
7. ^ Van der Zee (1918); Jackson (1958; 1966)
8. ^ Jackson (1960); Van der Zee (1913, 1918)
9. ^ ^{a b} Black Hawk (1882)
10. ^ ^{a b} Van der Zee (1918); Jackson (1958, 1960, 1966)
11. ^ McKusick (1965, 1966)
12. ^ Bergin, Nick: "Effort to preserve fort site heats up." Burlington Hawk Eye, 3 December 2008.
13. ^ Delany, Robin: "Preservationists fear future development will rob Fort Madison of original fort site." Fort Madison Daily Democrat, 3 December 2008
14. ^ Save Fort Madison Website, http://fortmadison.googlepages.com/home
15. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
16. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
17. ^ "Thomas M. Hoenig - Biography". Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. http://www.kc.frb.org/speechbio/hoenig.cfm. Retrieved May 5, 2011. 

Further reading[link]

• Black Hawk (1882) Autobiography of Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak or Black Hawk. Edited by J. B. Patterson. Continental Printing, St. Louis. Originally published 1833.
• Jackson, Donald (1958) "Old Fort Madison 1808–1813." Palimpsest 39(1).
• Jackson, Donald (1960) "A Critic’s View of Old Fort Madison." Iowa Journal of History and Politics 58(1) 31–36.
• Jackson, Donald (1966) "Old Fort Madison 1808–1813." Palimpsest 47(1).
• Prucha, Francis P. (1964) A Guide to the Military Posts of the United States 1789–1895. State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison.
• Prucha, Francis P. (1969) The Sword of the Republic: The United States Army on the Frontier 1783–1846. Macmillan, New York.
• McKusick, Marshall B. (1965). "Discovering an Ancient Iowa Fort". Iowa Conservationist 24 (1): 6–7. 
• McKusick, Marshall B. (1966). "Exploring Old Fort Madison and Old Fort Atkinson". Iowan Magazine 15: 12–51. 
• Van; der Zee, Jacob (1913). "Old Fort Madison: Some Source Materials". Iowa Journal of History and Politics 11: 517–545. 
• Van; der Zee, Jacob (1914). "Forts in the Iowa County". Iowa Journal of History and Politics 12: 163–204. 
• Van; der Zee, Jacob (1918). "Old Fort Madison: Early Wars on the Eastern Border of the Iowa Country". Iowa and War (Iowa City: State Historical Society of Iowa) 7: 1–40. 

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Fort Madison, Iowa

Iowa portal

• City of Fort Madison
• Lee County Page on Fort Madison
• Old Fort Madison Museum
• Save Fort Madison Website
• City Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Fort Madison, Iowa

v t e Municipalities and communities of Lee County, Iowa, United States County seats: Fort Madison and Keokuk Cities Donnellson Fort Madison Franklin Houghton Keokuk Montrose St. Paul West Point Unincorporated communities Argyle Charleston Denmark New Boston Pilot Grove Wever

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (May 2009)

John Scott "Jack" Morris (born May 16, 1955) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played in 18 big league seasons between 1977 and 1994, mainly for the Detroit Tigers, and won 254 games throughout his career. Armed with a fastball, slider, devastating splitter and a fierce competitive spirit, Morris was a five-time All-Star (1981, 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1991), and played on four World Championship teams (1984 Tigers, 1991 Twins, and 1992 Blue Jays and 1993 with the Blue Jays) . While he gave up the most hits, earned runs and home runs of any pitcher in the 1980s,^[1] he also started the most games, pitched the most innings and had the most wins of any pitcher in that decade.^[2]

Playing career[link]

Detroit Tigers[link]

Morris attended Brigham Young University^[3] and was drafted by the Tigers in the fifth round of the 1976 draft.^[4] He broke into the Tigers' pitching rotation in 1979, posting a 17-7 record and a 3.29 ERA and establishing himself as the ace of the Detroit staff. Morris, along with catcher Lance Parrish, shortstop Alan Trammell, second baseman Lou Whitaker, and manager Sparky Anderson, played a notable role in turning the Tigers into a contending team for most of the 1980s.

On April 7, 1984 (on NBC's nationally televised Game of the Week), Morris no-hit the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park,[2] beginning what would be an excellent season for him. The no-hitter was the first by a Tiger since Jim Bunning in 1958. At the end of the 1984 campaign, he notched 19 wins and a 3.60 ERA, leading Detroit into the postseason. He scored a win over the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS, and added two more complete-game victories in the World Series against the San Diego Padres as the Tigers concluded their wire-to-wire 1984 campaign with the World Championship.

In 1986, Morris racked up 21 wins, but was overshadowed by eventual Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox. The Tigers headed to the postseason again in 1987, but this time Morris' performance was below expectations as Detroit lost the ALCS to the eventual World Champion Minnesota Twins. Despite a sub par season in 1989 when he won only 6 games, he still finished the 1980s with 162 wins, the most by a major league pitcher during the decade.

Minnesota Twins[link]

In 1991, Morris signed a one-year contract with his hometown Minnesota Twins. He enjoyed another great season, posting 18 wins as Minnesota faced the Atlanta Braves in the World Series. Morris started for the Twins three times, with his final outing being Game 7. In a postseason performance for the ages, the 36-year-old hurler, known throughout his career as a clutch "big game" pitcher, lived up to his billing by throwing 10 innings of shutout baseball against the Braves as the Twins won the World title on a 10th inning single by Gene Larkin that scored Dan Gladden. Morris was named the World Series MVP for his fantastic performance and joined fellow pitcher Sandy Koufax as the only players to win the Babe Ruth Award twice. He holds the record for most wins by a Twin in a single postseason, with 4 acquired in 1991.

Toronto Blue Jays[link]

Following the 1991 season, Morris spurned the Minnesota Twins, his hometown team, and signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. He earned 21 wins for the second time in his career (and the first ever 20-win season for a Blue Jays pitcher), though he rode the wave of superior run support from his offense, given his 4.04 ERA that year. The Blue Jays reached the 1992 World Series against the Braves. Despite a subpar World Series performance, he won a third championship ring as Toronto beat Atlanta in six games. He won a fourth in 1993, as the Blue Jays repeated as World Champions with a victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in six games. Morris did not pitch in the postseason, however.

On Tuesday, April 6, 1993, Morris set a major league record by making his 14th consecutive opening day start, an impressive achievement since he played on numerous title-contending teams. The opening day start is usually given to either the best pitcher in the rotation or the pitcher with the highest level of respect among the players and coaches.

Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds[link]

He joined the Cleveland Indians in 1994, but left the team in August; after an abortive attempt at a final comeback with the Cincinnati Reds, Morris retired. In 1996, he made a brief return to professional baseball, this time playing with the St. Paul Saints of the independent Northern League.

Salary[link]

Morris was the highest-paid pitcher in the American League on at least 4 occasions: 1987, 1988, 1991, and 1993.

Wildness[link]

His split-finger pitch was responsible for Morris leading the league in wild pitches on six separate occasions. His 206 wild pitches in his career rank eighth in baseball history.

Awards and highlights[link]

• 1981 - The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year
• 1984 - Babe Ruth Award
• 1991 - Babe Ruth Award
• 1991 - World Series Most Valuable Player
• All Star: 1981, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1991
• AL Wins Leader: 1981, 1992
• AL Strikeouts Leader: 1983
• AL Shutouts Leader: 1986
• Hold the major league record for consecutive opening day starts, with 14 (1980–1993)
• Ranks No. 8 on the all time MLB list for wild pitches with 206 [3]
• Ranks No. 1 in Detroit Tigers history for wild pitches (155) and balks (23). [4]
• Holds Tigers' all-time record for most times leading the team in wins - 11 (1979–88, 1990).

Post-career activities[link]

Morris has spent time as a color analyst for the Minnesota Twins as well as co-hosting Extra Innings along with Kris Atteberry, a show on the Twins radio network that airs after every Sunday day game during the regular season. He also is an occasional guest on Detroit Tigers broadcasts. He also spent time in Lakeland, Florida as a part-time coach for the Detroit Tigers during spring training.

Morris is known for his love of hunting and fishing, especially in his native Minnesota.

Morris was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.^{[citation needed]}

Hall of Fame candidacy[link]

Morris has been eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame since 2000. From 2000 to 2003, he never received greater than 30% of the vote. He received 40% of the vote for the first time in 2006. In 2010, he received 52.3% of the vote,^[5][6] and in 2012, he received 67% of the vote, his highest level of support so far.^[7]

See also[link]

• 1984 Detroit Tigers season
• List of MLB individual streaks
• List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
• List of Major League Baseball strikeout champions
• List of Major League Baseball wins champions
• List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
• Top 100 strikeout pitchers of all time
• Best pitching seasons by a Detroit Tiger

References[link]

External links[link]

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• Baseball Library
• The Baseball Page
• 1991 World Series | Game 7

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Tagged since May 2010. It may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Tagged since May 2009. The notability of this article's subject is in question. If notability cannot be established, it may be listed for deletion or removed. Tagged since May 2009. Very few or no other articles link to it. Please help introduce links to this page from other articles related to it. Tagged since March 2010.

Dino DiMuro
Background information
Birth name	Dino R. DiMuro
Also known as	Poindexter Holloway
Born	(1957-03-24)March 24, 1957 California
Genres	Rock, pop, chamber music, Captain Beefheart style, experimental
Occupations	Soundtrack editor
Instruments	Guitars, keyboards, banjo, slide guitar, drum programming, etc.
Years active	1982 -
Labels	Lonely Whistle Music
Website	The Unofficial Dino DiMuro Homepage

Dino DiMuro is an independent composer, musician and producer.^[1]

Training[link]

DiMuro's musical education began with piano lessons, from his grandmother, and his uncle, composer Harold Owen.

At age 11, inspired by the Flatt & Scruggs soundtrack to Bonnie and Clyde, he acquired a banjo. He acquired his first electric guitar at 13 (inspired by The Beatles). By age 18, he was very good with guitar and bass. At age 26, he acquired his first synthesizer.

DiMuro is rated by some as an excellent guitarist of the Zappa variety, utilizing blues, all available processing, odd phrasing, elements of noise and 20th century polyscale ideas.

Technique[link]

DiMuro tends to construct six to eight track songs, previously using a four track recorder and a two track DAT. In 2003, he upgraded to a Macintosh Pro Tools setup. He generally overdubs all instruments, though has worked with drummer Eric Scott (3 records in 1986), with partner John Gibson in BERTH (1969 onward), and with live performing bands (1995, 2001). He achieves complete band results, when working on his own.

DiMuro has occasionally used "found sound" from garage sales as the basis for songs, such as his full vaudeville arrangement, over top of an amateur singing - in a variable tempo - "Rockabye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody".

Style[link]

His output includes 8 track home recorded Pop music, oddball little songs, Rock and Roll, unconventional humor, and elegantly arranged keyboard compositions. There are parodies ranging from punk rock with banjo, to the most known unknowns in contemporary music (such as: The Residents, French Frith Kaiser and Thompson, NXS, The Pogues, and Garrison Keilor).

Leo Kottke style instrumentals exist alongside Chipmunk vocals, songs about Nudists and other odd subjects, many unconventional love songs, marching band or orchestra productions on synthesizer, quirky biographical numbers, avant-garde works, and experiments (such as an effective guitar solo, processed to sound like rubber bands).

He seems to walk the line between idiosyncrasy, and audience acceptance.

As one enthusiast noted in 1996:

As far as diversity goes, Dino DiMuro makes Camper Van Beethoven sound like Bachman–Turner Overdrive!!

—just john

Musical career[link]

DiMuro's fan base varies from a few dozen, to about five hundred cassette buyers per album, yet thousands of people world wide are familiar with his name.

On 4/13/2008^[update], a boolean search at Yahoo for Dino DiMuro, yields about 22,000 pages.

He began selling and giving away cassettes of his music in 1983, through OPtion and Sound Choice magazines.

From 1985 to '90 I was releasing about 3 cassettes a year. Starting with GOWER STREET it became roughly one every two years, because of the new marriage and more attention to detail. I sent out Trouble at the Mutual Admiration Society and one or two earlier ones to a couple of underground labels. Not a word. When GOWER got great press, I had calls from clubs and managers, and I sent them copies. Nada. Nobody except AudioFile Tapes and Sound of Pig ever released anything by me, except for a compilation here and there.

—Dino DiMuro

With Rivalry Insanity (1984), compositional daring increased, although he had already produced multi-instrument Captain Beefheart style music. There were other albums that were merely good. Albums that resist categories include Composite, A Real Pretty Rose, Snoutburger, I Have a Purpose, and Sunday at the Airport.

That's my favorite kind of music, but difficult to achieve

—Dino DiMuro

He has produced albums for other home tapers. This allowed DiMuro to give his listeners a Trojan horse, called Poindexter Holloway: L.A. Kingpin!. It had intentionally nasal vocals, and a style ranging from grouchy to manic. It was deceptively packaged, presenting the unknown "Poindexter", as if he were a major star.

In 1991-1993, DiMuro spent two years on a major production, Gower Street, his best known work. It turned out well, despite being hampered by the L.A. riot, and moving from his long established address. Two albums from that time, Vermont Avenue and Stopgap Sam's Steaming Stew, were simpler, surprising, and almost as good.

DiMuro married Julie in 1994. Julie was in a car crash, and died in 2004.

With the release of Simple Chance of Life in 1995, DiMuro switched to CD releases. Establishing a touring band was cut short, by the birth of his two children.

Train Going Nowhere was a basic, professional studio-recorded rock album. That album took six years to finish, due to glitches, money troubles, and resistance from his wife.

He abandoned an album called Unfinished. It had exotic surprises on it, including a song for DiMuro's son, "You Gotta be as Rich as Bill Gates, to Play with Toy Trains".

album was 3/4 complete when Julie had her accident, and I couldn't relate to those songs anymore. It was meant to be called TALES FROM THE MIDDLE AGES.

—Dino DiMuro

In 1997, a stranger, 3,000 miles away, created The Unofficial Dino DiMuro Homepage.

DiMuro is a long time friend of many home tapers from the west coast of the U.S., including Don Campau, who guests on many DiMuro albums, and who recorded a collaboration with him, in 2007. Campau now releases DiMuro's CDs on his Lonely Whistle Music label.

Discography[link]

• Sleep Alone Tonight! (1982)
• Adults Are Just Children with Longer Legs (1983)
• Rivalry Insanity
• Composite
• Too Cool To Go Swimming
• Please Do Not Exit Thru Playland (1984)
• The Best of Dino DiMuro (1985)
• Trouble at the Mutual Admiration Society
• DiMuro House
• Snoutburger
• Vegas Train (1986)
• A Real Pretty Rose
• Poindexter Holloway: L.A. Kingpin! (1987)
• I'll Be Good
• High School Football Game
• I Have A Purpose
• She's A Climber (1988)
• Sunday at the Airport
• Gower Street (1993)
• Vermont Avenue
• Stopgap Sam's Steaming Stew Tapes 1, 2 + 3 (1994)
• The Wedding Tape
• The Simple Chance of Life (1995)
• Train Going Nowhere (2001)
• Unfinished (2003)
• Sleeping Highway (2004)
• Outtakes Universe (2005)
• The Ultimate Love Song Collection (2005)
• Don Campau and Dino DiMuro: Playdate (2007)

Secondary discography[link]

• Contains "Carving The Fat I, II, and III," ANDY (synthesizer collaboration involving DiMuro's cat), Nasty Doctor, Berth Reunion Rehearsals I II & III, Phantom Sampling (Lumpy Gravy Meets Rutles Christmas Album disturbed video soundtrack), and more.

Tertiary discography[link]

• Contains "Veteran's Day Massacre," guests spots on albums he produced and distributed for Ted Lee, (such as "Highway Submerged For Canine Transit,"), Don Campau, and others, L.A. Cellular, Wave at the Train (west coast home tapers' documentary) and more.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Video on YouTube
• Dino DiMuro at last.fm
• DiMuro Soundclick Page (not recommended for dial-up connections)
• Dino DiMuro at the Internet Movie Database