Townes Van Zandt

From Citizendium
Revision as of 23:57, 20 November 2007 by imported>Joe Quick (subpages)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This article is developing and not approved.
Main Article
Discussion
Related Articles  [?]
Bibliography  [?]
External Links  [?]
Citable Version  [?]
Discography [?]
 
This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

Townes Van Zandt (John Townes Van Zandt, 1944-1997) was a country-folk singer-songwriter and poet and is considered by many to have been one of the best singer-songwriters ever. His songs have been covered by many famous artists, including Willy Nelson and Merle Haggard, Norah Jones, Lyle Lovett, EmmyLou Harris, Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, Nanci Griffith, Steve Earle, Gillian Welch, Cowboy Junkies, John Prine, Guy Clark, and Wrecks Bell, among others. Although he never attained great fame with the general public, he is regarded with high esteem in the music industry and with songwriters in particular, and his lyrics continue to inspire many songwriters today. His song lyrics are often bittersweet and filled with crushing dispare. A documentary about Townes' life titled "Be Here to Love Me: A Film About Townes Van Zandt" was released in 2006. John Kruth wrote a Townes biography, "To Live's to Fly - The Ballad of the Late, Great Townes Van Zandt.

Biography

Born the third great-grandson of Isaac Van Zandt, a prominent figure of the Republic of Texas, Townes was groomed for political office. He was known for both his intellect and his athletic prowess. After being diagnosed as a manic-depressive, he was subjected to insulin shock therapy which removed most of his memories. This caused a marked change in Townes' personality, leading him to be more reclusive and drop all athletic endeavors. His interests in singer-songwriters lead him to drop out college and abandon politics. He fathered three children, JT, Bill and Katie Belle with Jeanene Van Zandt. Although Jeanene and Townes divorced years before his death, they remained close friends.


Lawsuit over Royalty Payments

Townes, and later his Estate, elegedly had many problems receiving royalty payments or even a basic accounting of his album sales. In 2005, Jeanene and the Estate of Townes Van Zandt filed a lawsuit in NY District Court against Kevin Eggers, EGGE Co., TOMATO records and others for lack of royalty payments and other infringements pertaining to Townes' music and film footage.

Songs of Townes Van Zandt Covered by Other Artists

ArtistSong Titles
Wiily Nelson & Merle HaggardPancho and Lefty
Norah JonesBe Here to Love Me
EmmyLou HarrisIf I Needed You
Lyle LovettFlyin' Shoes, Be Here to Love Me
Guy ClarkDon't You Take It Too Bad
Nanci GriffithTecumseh Valley

The Old Quarter (Houston)

The original Old Quarter in Houston was a regular stomping ground for Townes. It was here that Townes met many of his lifelong friends, including Rex Bell, Mickey White, Lightnin' Hoppins, Richard Dobson, Blaze Foley and others.


Annual Townes Van Zandt Wake

An annual Townes Van Zandt wake is held every year on the evening of January 1rst at the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe, in Galveston Texas, as a musical tribute to Townes' songs. Musicians from Texas, the US and Europe congregate for an evening of Townes' music, played by amateurs and professional musicians alike. Rex Bell, the proprietor, always sings the first and last songs of the evening. Traditionally, photo albums and a bottle of vodka, Townes' favorite drink, are set before the stage for all to share.

The Hemmer Ridge Mountain Boys

The Hemmer Ridge Mountain Boys served as Townes' backup band for many years and consisted of Rex ("Wrecks") Bell, the namesake of "Rex's Blues", on bass guitar, Mickey White on lead guitar and Mike Edwards on drums. Mickey went on to become a teacher in the Round Rock (TX) area while Rex became a solo artist with several albums to his credit. Rex and J.T. Van Zandt, Townes' son, recorded a live album together titled "Live at the Old Quarter Accoustic Cafe". Rex Bell also played bass for Lucinda Williams and Lightnin' Hopkins, a friend and influence of Townes.


External Links

The Official Townes Van Zandt page run by Jeanene Van Zandt http://www.townesvanzandt.com

Royalty and Infringement Lawsuit http://www.townesvanzandt.com/TomatoComplaint.pdf