Sky Saxon, the lead singer of the '60s garage band The Seeds, has died in an Austin, Texas hospital. The cause of death is unknown and his age is unknown. It is believed he was born sometime between 1937 and 1946. What is known is that his given name was Richard Marsh.
The Seeds biggest hit was a song released in 1966 called "Pushin' Too Hard." It could easily be the first punk rock song. At the very minimum it's proto-punk. I will play it when I feel like, well, I've been pushed too hard. I love the keyboard bass part by Daryl Hooper.
Another one of their songs, "Can't Seem To Make You Mine" enjoyed a renaissance when it was featured in an Axe deodorant commercial in 2007. Again, the keyboard bass figures prominently.
Saxon continued to be an active performer. Younger folks might remember him playing tambourine in the Smashing Pumpkins' 2008 video "Superchrist." He was last on stage in Austin this past Saturday. In August, he was scheduled to join The Electric Prunes and Love (featuring Johnny Echols) on the California '66 Revue. The show will go on without him and the tour is scheduled to make a stop at the Middle East in Cambridge, Massachusetts on August 7th. I plan on going.
Meanwhile, Sky Saxon can now headline the great gig in the sky.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
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