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Chuck Prophet's avatar

Interestingly, Jon Rubin from The Rubinoos who at that time (1981) were honorary Modern Lovers. (On record: It’s the Rubes backing Jo Jo on Government Center and New Teller…) Jon Rubin has gone on to me about the similarities. And where they start and stop. Yeah... Whatever… Either way, Jonathan always loomed large over everybody. Still does. You’ve seen the bumpersticker: WWJD. What Would Jonathan Do?

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Asif S's avatar

Such a wonderful post. I was never a Bruce fan (still don't get it although I don't hate him or anything) so the comparison was a bit surprising to me, but it does make total sense at some level. Both white dudes about the same age who grew up worshiping two very different '60s icons, Bob (in the case of Bruce) and Lou (in the case of Jonathan). And they took those ideas and went a looong away ahead into their art, making music for the ordinary people among us. Of course, Bruce's 'ordinary' was maybe a different kind of 'ordinary' than Jonathan. Anyway, I've only seen Jonathan a few times (last time, probably in the '90s) but each time was as if I was transported to a little cosmos of joy and hope and connections. Unforgettable concerts. (And I know Jonathan will never ever sing a song from the Modern Lovers debut album, but that album ensures Jonathan's place in my pantheon of awesome music of the 20th century).

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