Video: Jonathan Richman Strollers Tribute
American singer/songwriter Jonathan Richman still includes a mononlogue in his live shows about how the Bermuda Strollers saved his musical soul when his band the Modern Lovers was playing at the old Inverurie Hotel during College Weeks in 1973.
Now a video featuring vintage Bermuda footage has been uploaded to accompany a performance of the cult star’s “Down In Bermuda” — an extended riff on a track originally included on his 1985 “Rockin’ and Romance” album.
A one-time disciple of the nihilistic, hard-driving Velvet Undergound and considered a founding father of the emerging punk sound, the future looked bright for Mr. Richman as a mainstream star until the Modern Lovers took up residency as a house band at the Bermuda resort.
Mr. Richman fell hard for the joyful sounds of the island’s music scene — particularly the Bermuda Strollers and their leader Ted Ming [pictured above] — and this inspired him to pursue a more whimsical songwriting style.
Also wanting to wash his hands of the music industry’s sleaze, the Massachusetts-born musician left the Modern Lovers shortly after the Bermuda engagement was over.
Mr. Richman subsequently re-emerged as a solo star — although sometimes using a second incarnation of the Modern Lovers as a backing band — and still draws standing room only crowds to concerts characterised by his wide-eyed, unaffected music that, while rooted in rock and roll, still draws on Bermuda-flavoured calypso and other influences from around the world.
Jonathan Richman “Down In Bermuda” video
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