Feb 20, 2023·edited Feb 20, 2023Liked by Gina Arnold
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?
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).
Gina-I played Jonathan Sings! daily in '83/'84 .. I saw JoJo many times in those days, at a small club in WDC that's long gone. I loved that LP so much that I suggested to a friend in a local band that they cover a song from it. I think they chose "The Neighbors." because of the call and response. A few months later JoJo played WDC., and I attended w/the band. Jojo mingled w/the crowd between sets. I mingled my way up to him, asked if my friend's band could play the song with him. He answered with a terse "no." Oh well, another chapter in my forthcoming book "Famous People Who Have Known Me." PS To me the Bruce v. Jojo debate comes down to one word: ambition. Bruce has it; Jojo doesn't. Jojo also lmuffed opportunities for bigger crowds by singing at nursing homes right after Modern Lovers came out. It didn't help that ML was on the two bit label Fantasy Records., and was released 3 yrs. after ML splintered.
I got into Jonathan right before Jonathan Sings came out and after I had left Bruce behind after The River. Seeing him perform Jonathan sings at Wolfgangs (with the also commenting Chuck Prophet and Patrick Winningham), was an epiphany. Jonathan stopped the show many times, complaining about the sound, but those lyrics..and the kid next store vibe. I never thought of Bruce..once. The last time I saw him was a few years ago at Chataqua Theatre in Boulder, CO. He did pretty much the entire set in Spanish. And we waited for something familiar, but was not to be :). Apparently, he is really into masonry now in way northern California. I'm glad he's still performing and look forward to hearing the new record.
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?
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).
I get the Jonathan / Bruce comparison. I understand it ... I think it is more of a projection of what Bruce was to represent... He just never did.
Yes!
Gina-I played Jonathan Sings! daily in '83/'84 .. I saw JoJo many times in those days, at a small club in WDC that's long gone. I loved that LP so much that I suggested to a friend in a local band that they cover a song from it. I think they chose "The Neighbors." because of the call and response. A few months later JoJo played WDC., and I attended w/the band. Jojo mingled w/the crowd between sets. I mingled my way up to him, asked if my friend's band could play the song with him. He answered with a terse "no." Oh well, another chapter in my forthcoming book "Famous People Who Have Known Me." PS To me the Bruce v. Jojo debate comes down to one word: ambition. Bruce has it; Jojo doesn't. Jojo also lmuffed opportunities for bigger crowds by singing at nursing homes right after Modern Lovers came out. It didn't help that ML was on the two bit label Fantasy Records., and was released 3 yrs. after ML splintered.
No one like Jonathan💥 fantastic read, thanks!
this was fantastic & made me think, a lot.
I got into Jonathan right before Jonathan Sings came out and after I had left Bruce behind after The River. Seeing him perform Jonathan sings at Wolfgangs (with the also commenting Chuck Prophet and Patrick Winningham), was an epiphany. Jonathan stopped the show many times, complaining about the sound, but those lyrics..and the kid next store vibe. I never thought of Bruce..once. The last time I saw him was a few years ago at Chataqua Theatre in Boulder, CO. He did pretty much the entire set in Spanish. And we waited for something familiar, but was not to be :). Apparently, he is really into masonry now in way northern California. I'm glad he's still performing and look forward to hearing the new record.
Lovely. It' s years since I saw Jonathan live but that sums up what he is like.