As a young radio guy in the early ’70’s I was intrigued with the potential of television, especially this new thing called cable television, to play “music films”. This was before Don Kirshner and a decade before MTV. An incredibly brilliant friend of mine from college, Dick Shapiro, became an audio engineer at Electric Ladyland Studios in New York at the age of 19. He got me a meeting with Michael Jeffries, the manager of Jimi Hendrix. Jeffries’ take on “music films” was to marry a music performance with a place. “Poco in Paris” is what I remember him saying. The idea stuck.

In the mid 70’s I was working at WCAS radio in Cambridge still thinking about music films when I went back to school part time, to the MIT film section. I had access to 16mm film gear and new friends who were excellent cameramen. The radio promo guy for Warner/Elektra was managing a new band and he asked if I could film them. I said I’d need to get the film stock paid for and because of this unreasonable demand the ‘deal’ fell through. Too bad because the band turned out to be “The Cars”.

Have something you want to share? A related memory or story? Record a video, become a Flashpoint Contributor.

Jeff and Jane Hudson were pillars of the music and art scene in Boston during the late 70’s and 80’s. The duo created imaginative outside the box music with their band the Rentals. They opened for the Clash at Harvard Square Theater in 1979, taught at the Boston’s Museum School, and worked with a slew of talented Boston musicians like Peter Dayton of La Peste who recently spoke here of Jeff and Jane as “a powerful due …they were certainly a very big influence on La Peste and many other musicians as well…we all loved them”

Well strap yourself in cause Jeff and Jane are back with THE MIDDLE, a smashing NEW track. The video is directed by Luis Aira who worked with several Boston bands in the 80’s including the Neighborhoods, Till Tuesday, New Models, and The Cars. Luis’s talent has lead him down several artistic paths and he’s hooked up here with Jeff and Jane to create a stunning rhythmic Sci fi visual tour de force. The video was shot in LA and stars Violet Paley, who creates a lasting impression with a terrific avant garde intergalactic performance as the alien visitor. It’s great to see Jeff and Jane’s musical evolution and Luis’s creative vision with THE MIDDLE. It’s certainly something worth watching and listening to time and again. Enjoy… I sure as hell did!!!

Have something you want to share? A related memory or story? Record a video, become a Flashpoint Contributor.

Alan Vega the electronic suicide punk has left the scene at age 78. Best known for his work with Martin Rev in the band Suicide, Vega’s brash and uncompromising musical style put him in position where you either loved his work or hated it. In 1979 while opening up for the Cars in Boston he dropped by the Boston Architectural Center for a chat with Oedipus who was doing a live remote of his “Demi Mode” show for WTBS. The interview was filmed at the punkt data show organized by Mark Flynn and his cadre of artistic hooligans.  Alan shares his stories of touring with the Clash in Europe, being punched out by skinheads, and tear gassed in Belgium. All in a days work of artist who put it all on the line whether you liked it or not. RIP Alan Vega.

Have something you want to share? A related memory or story? Record a video, become a Flashpoint Contributor.