Does anybody remember Day Without Art? December 1st is still World AIDS Day but in the arts today AIDS ain’t hot any more. That’s both good and bad, I suppose. Our artists aren’t dropping like flies, as they did in the late 80s and early 90s. But HIV still takes a heavy toil on gay men, just more subtly and more slowly. (For evidence, see “Another Kind of AIDS Crisis” from the November 9, 2009 edition of New York Magazine.)
Back in the day, the worlds of dance and visual art appeared to suffer the most AIDS deaths. Music’s involvement seemed to be more about fundraising through concerts and CDs (Music for Life, the Red Hot discs, etc.).
Yet my research project for the Estate Project for Artists with AIDS, conducted from 2002 through 2005, uncovered a staggering list of deaths — 131 composers and 238 performers. And there were many more besides that. Within a year of so of beginning to dig for information, it was nearly overwhelming and I brought in the assistance of Nurit Tilles to join me in the work, which was both trying and rewarding. While our efforts were met with gratitude from many still-grieving survivors, we also faced secrecy and shame and general opposition from others including some institutions. Our grant funds ran out after about three years, which was around the same time that our determination also receded. More than just lists, the bulk of the Music Archive web site is devoted to sharing everything we could find about the composers’ works and where they can be found. My introduction tells the full story of how we gathered the information.
In honor of Day Without Art and in tribute to the many musicians who died, I offer… a quiz!
Match the name on the left (they include songs, tv shows, ensembles) with the musician on the right. Scroll way down for the answers.
THE QUIZ:
“The Boy From Oz” Fela Anikulapo Kuti
New York City Gay Men’s Chorus Michael Callen
“Jerker” Chris DeBlasio
Creedence Clearwater Revival Nicholas Schaffner
“An Eye-Sky Symphony” Howard Greenfield
The Flirtations Paul Jabara
“It’s Raining Men” Tom Fogerty
The Beatles John Outlaw
“Walt Whitman in 1989” Robert Savage
“Down At The Drugstore” Peter Allan
AfroBeat Freddie Mercury
“Night at the Opera” Robert Chesley
Turtle Creek Chorale Dean X Johnson
“Bewitched” Kristopher Jon Anthony
THE ANSWERS:
“The Boy From Oz” was a musical tribute to the life of Australian singer and songwriter Peter Allan (1944-1992) who was once married to Liza Minnelli.
From 1984 to 1996 The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus had as its assistant music director and principal accompanist Dean X Johnson (1955-1998), who was also a composer.
“Jerker” was one of many plays by Robert Chesley (1943-1990), who before finding success as a playwright was a composer of songs and chamber music.
The folk rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival had as its lead guitarist and backup vocalist Tom Fogerty (1941-1990)
“An Eye-Sky Symphony” was the largest work of New York City composer and pianist Robert Savage (1951-1993).
The Flirtations was the vocal group co-founded by Michael Callen (1955-1993), an important voice in Out Music and a pioneering AIDS activist.
The disco hit “It’s Raining Men” was co-written by Paul Jabara (1948-1992) and Paul Schaeffer (David Letterman Show).
The Beatles were the subject of three books by the singer/songwriter and pop music authority Nicholas Schaffner (1953-1991), who also wrote “Saucerful of Secrets: The Pink Floyd Odyssey.”
The art song “Walt Whitman in 1989” was composed by Chris DeBlasio (1959-1993) to poetry by Perry Brass. It comes from the song cycle “All The Way Through Evening” and is also included in the AIDS Quilt Songbook.
“Down At The Drugstore” was the only album by singer/songwriter John Outlaw (1956-1993). Originally named John Savage, he was also an actor who appeared in the soap operas All My Children, Guiding Light and Another World.
The sound of AfroBeat was created by Fela Anikulapo Kuti (1938-1997), whose life and music are featured in the new Broadway musical “Fela!”
Released in 1975, “Night at the Opera” was one the fourth of seven albums recorded by Queen, which was led by front man and principal songwriter Freddie Mercury (1946-1991).
The Dallas-based Turtle Creek Chorale had as a member for 10 years Kristopher Jon Anthony (1954-1992), who was also its composer in residence for several seasons.
The theme music to “Bewitched” was written by Howard Greenfield (1936-1986), who collaborated extensively with Neil Sedaka.
I love what you’ve written here. It brings back to me a piece I have up on my website, called “In Love with Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky.” It is about my lifelong love affair with the man and his music. You can read it at http://www.perrybrass.com/Tchaikovsky.html. It says much about him, us, now, then, and maybe even what’s next.
Perry Brass
John Outlaw was my uncle! Thanks for keeping his memory alive!
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