Jonathan Richman interview from "Take me to the Plaza" 1 of 2

[MrMickeybitzko]

Mozzer1973 and chimaerandi: Those are very astute comments. I have found that opinions about Jonathan are a real dividing line between people. I almost got into a fist fight over his music years ago. One famous songwriter l told me he thought Jonathan was "laughable" -- yeah, and water is wet. If you can't get past his amusing aspects and see his profundity, there's no hope for you. Happily, I have made many people into Richman fans by taking them to see him in concert.

[extremelybusy123]

eating pizza comment/slash the way it's edited is fucking hilarious

[extremelybusy123]

this interview is unreal

[klesh1]

Lonely dark and cold winter nights in Massachusetts have never been the same for me since I heard the Modern Lovers. I drive on 128 everyday.

[zhandoatosl]

They say the Velvet Underground during the 65-73 days hardly sold any records. But everyone who bought a VU record started a band.

Jonathan Richmond was one.

[mielazul]

I've just started looking into this guy's music (and his great personality, like he shows on this interview) and it's such a magical experience. I've been working on my own version of Roadrunner for about ten hours a day for the last six days...and even though it only has 2 chords (with a spare E thrown in at just the right moment) it's like this amazing world to immerse yourself in, with infinite paths, etc. I'm like a fanatic now, and nothing's getting done around the house!

[kiloelo]

Is this guy a cokehead cuz he's funny as shit

[toemasie]

@kiloelo nope. I don't think he's ever done any drugs. The guy's just..... different.

That's why he's famous.

[pseudokowski]

@kiloelo Far from it! Listen to the Modern Lovers Self Titled LP with songs Hospital, She Cracked & I'm Straight, Richman was very upfront & outspoken on his choice to not use drugs including Nicotine in a era when everybody was getting high. He's also been stated as being the creator of the original "Straight Edge" movement. The guy's just a great person who's inspired by things from daily life, I do hope he will have Modern Lovers Reunion Tour because it would just be out of this world!!

[ademeyer]

this is great, I've never seen an interview with him before

[BicycleTragedy]

"An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. An artist says a hard thing in a simple way."

-Bukowski

[ZombieHipHop2345]

This is one of the most fascinating interviews I've ever seen. The Velvet Underground was the first music that I truly ever became obsessed with, and almost everything I've gotten into after has been some kind of a result of the Velvet Underground's influence, Jonathan Richman a prime example. Very cool to hear him recall back on the first Modern Lovers album. I've always found it stunning that he basically completely abandoned that type of music after the first record. That thing is so good.

[cattleforslaughter]

dose anyone know the name of the velvet underground song he's talking about?

[AScoppa]

"Heroin", from their first record with Nico.

[itchybugg]

Heroin, From t he first record

[emidore]

Such a funny lunkhead...comparing second takes to being asked to eat pizza a second time for lunch. Why doesn't he have his own tv show?!!

[EndlessRich]

Love This Guy!

[Mozzer1973]

I have a rule in life...if people don't like JR after I introduce them to him then I don't have anything to do with them. Fewer people in my life but the ones that there are are beautiful.

[chimaerandi]

This is my rule for dating someone. If I introduce you to JR, and you don't like him, clearly you and I are not meant to be. I've only had two people truly not like him, and seriously, they aren't the kind of people I'd like anyhow

[pyrrho314]

@chimaerandi : And I am considering adopting this rule as I learned of jonathan last week.

[shatchett0]

@Mozzer1973 That is one stupid ass rule.

[Mozzer1973]

@shatchett0

I have another rule...people who use the phrase "stupid ass" as a means of describing something are to be avoided at all costs as they are normally stupid asses.

[debra5552000]

Thank you so much for posting this-thank you!