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

Interview from the live concert DVD, part one. Circa 2002.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• jonathan
• richman
• interview
• plaza

[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

[BicycleTragedy]

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

-Bukowski

[pyrrho314]

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

[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

[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!!

[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.

[toemasie]

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

That's why he's famous.

[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