Richie Havens

Richie Havens

Havens performing in 2006
Background information
Birth name Richard Pierce Havens
Born (1941-01-21)January 21, 1941
Brooklyn, New York,
United States
Died April 22, 2013(2013-04-22) (aged 72)
Jersey City, New Jersey,
United States
Genres Folk rock, funk, blues, soul
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter
Instruments Vocals, guitar, sitar
Years active 1965–2013
Labels Verve Forecast, MGM, A&M, Solar/Epic/SME, Rykodisc, Rhino
Website richiehavens.com

Richard Pierce Havens, known professionally as Richie Havens, (January 21, 1941 – April 22, 2013)[1] was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.[2] His music encompassed elements of folk, soul, and rhythm and blues. He is best known for his intense and rhythmic guitar style (often in open tunings), soulful covers of pop and folk songs, and his opening performance at the 1969 Woodstock Festival.

Life and career

Early life

Born in Brooklyn, Havens was the eldest of nine children.[2] He was of Native American (Blackfoot) descent on his father's side, and of the British West Indies on his mother's.[3] His grandfather was Blackfoot of the Montana/South Dakota area. Havens' grandfather and great-uncle joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, got off in New York City and ended up on the Shinnecock Reservation in Long Island. There he got married then moved to Brooklyn.[4]

As a youth in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Havens began organizing his neighborhood friends into street corner doo-wop groups and was performing with the McCrea Gospel Singers at age 16.[2]

Early career

At age 20, Havens left Brooklyn, seeking artistic stimulation in Greenwich Village. "I saw the Village as a place to escape to, in order to express yourself," he recalled. "I had first gone there during the Beatnik days of the 1950s to perform poetry, then I drew portraits for two years and stayed up all night listening to folk music in the clubs. It took a while before I thought of picking up a guitar."[5]

Publicity photo released in 1974 by his management at the William Morris Agency

Havens' solo performances quickly spread beyond the Village folk circles.[2] After cutting two records for Douglas Records, he signed on with Bob Dylan's manager, Albert Grossman, and landed a record deal with the Verve Folkways(later Verve Forecast) label. Verve released Mixed Bag in late 1966, which featured tracks such as "Handsome Johnny" (co-written by Havens and actor Louis Gossett Jr.), "Follow", and a cover[6] of Bob Dylan's "Just Like a Woman".

By 1969, Havens had released five more albums. Something Else Again (1968) became his first album to hit the Billboard charts and also pulled Mixed Bag back onto the charts. Two of those albums were unauthorized "exploitation albums" released by Douglas Records (or Douglas International[7]): Electric Havens (released June 1, 1968)[7][8][9] and Richie Havens Record (1969).[8][10]

Woodstock and increased visibility

Havens playing at Woodstock Music Festival 1969

Havens as a live performer earned widespread notice. His Woodstock appearance in 1969 catapulted him into stardom and was a major turning point in his career.[2] As the festival's first performer, he held the crowd for nearly three hours. In part, Havens was told to continue playing, because many artists scheduled to perform after him were delayed in reaching the festival location with highways at a virtual standstill. He was called back for several encores. Having run out of tunes, he improvised a song based on the old spiritual "Motherless Child" that became "Freedom". In an interview with Cliff Smith, for Music-Room, he explained:

"I'd already played every song I knew and I was stalling, asking for more guitar and mic, trying to think of something else to play – and then it just came to me...The establishment was foolish enough to give us all this freedom and we used it in every way we could."

The subsequent Woodstock movie release helped Havens reach a worldwide audience. He also appeared two weeks later at the Isle of Wight Festival in late August 1969.[11][12]

Havens performing in Hamburg, Germany, May 1972

Following the success of his Woodstock performance, Havens started his own record label, Stormy Forest, and released Stonehenge in 1970. Later that year came Alarm Clock, which included the George Harrison-penned hit single, "Here Comes the Sun". This was Havens' first album to reach Billboard's Top 30 Chart.[2] Stormy Forest went on to release four more of his albums: The Great Blind Degree (1971), Live On Stage (1972), Portfolio (1973), and Mixed Bag II (1974).[2] Memorable television appearances included performances on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. On the latter program, the audience reacted with such enthusiasm that when the applause continued even after the commercial break, Carson asked Havens to return the following night.

Havens also began acting during the 1970s. He was featured in the original 1972 stage presentation of The Who's Tommy,[13] as Othello in the 1974 film Catch My Soul, in Greased Lightning alongside Richard Pryor and in Bob Dylan's Hearts of Fire.[14]

Havens increasingly devoted his energies to educating young people about ecological issues. In the mid-1970s, he co-founded the Northwind Undersea Institute, an oceanographic children's museum on City Island in the Bronx. That, in turn, led to the creation of the Natural Guard, an organization Havens described as "...a way of helping kids learn that they can have a hands-on role in affecting the environment. Children study the land, water, and air in their own communities and see how they can make positive changes from something as simple as planting a garden in an abandoned lot."[15] In July 1978 he also was a featured performer at the Benefit Concert for The Longest Walk, an American Indian spiritual walk from Alcatraz to Washington DC affirming treaty rights, as a result of legislation that had been introduced to abrogate Indian treaties.

Branching out more into the media

During the 1980s and 1990s, Havens continued a world touring schedule and a steady release of albums. The release of 1993's Resume, The Best of Richie Havens Rhino collected his late 1960s and early 1970s recordings. In 1982, he composed and performed a promotional slogan for NBC's 1982–83 television season, entitled We're NBC, Just Watch Us Now. He also performed slogans for CBS and ABC,[16] and recorded commercials for Amtrak, singing the slogan "There's something about a train that's magic"; and in 1985, for Coca-Cola. Havens also did corporate commercial work for Maxwell House Coffee, as well as singing "The Fabric of Our Lives" theme for the cotton industry. In 1982 he appeared at the UK's Glastonbury Festival, closing the show on the Sunday night.[17]

In 1993, Havens performed at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton. Among the selections was the "Cotton" song, made famous by a series of television ads in the early 1990s.[18] In 1999, Havens played at the Tibetan Freedom Concert for an audience of more than 100,000.[19]

Havens also played a small role as a character named Daze in a 1990 film called Street Hunter, starring John Leguizamo.

Havens was the 20th living recipient of the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award, presented in Sherborn, Massachusetts,[20] on April 12, 1991.

In addition to performing at charity benefit concerts, Havens formed the Northwind Undersea Institute, an oceanographic children's museum on City Island in The Bronx. The museum led to the creation of The Natural Guard, an organization that educates children about the environment.[15]

Final years

In 2000, Havens teamed with the electronic music duo Groove Armada for the retro 1970s-style song, "Hands of Time".[21] The song was featured on the soundtrack of the film Collateral; the same song was also used in the films Domino, A Lot Like Love, and Tell No One.[1] Havens was also featured on "Little By Little" and "Healing" on the band's third album, Goodbye Country.[21]

In 2000, he published They Can't Hide Us Anymore, an autobiography co-written with Steve Davidowitz. Havens maintained his status as a folk icon and continued to tour. In 2002, he released Wishing Well, followed by the 2004 album Grace of the Sun.

Havens playing at The Turning Point in Piermont, New York, January 4, 2009

In 2003, the National Music Council awarded Havens the American Eagle Award for his place as part of America's musical heritage and for providing "a rare and inspiring voice of eloquence, integrity and social responsibility."[22]

On October 15, 2006, Havens was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.[23][24]

In 2007, Havens appeared as "Old Man Arvin" in the Todd Haynes film I'm Not There. In a classic front-porch jam scene, he is shown singing the Bob Dylan song "Tombstone Blues" with Marcus Carl Franklin and Tyrone Benskin. Havens' version of the song also appears on the I'm Not There soundtrack.

In February 2008, Havens performed at The Jazz Café in London, England. The performance and the man was described by Cliff Smith, reporting for Music-News as "Mesmerising, poetic, profound, funny...".

Havens was invited to perform at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony. He played "Freedom" at the request of the jury president, Sean Penn. He also performed at the London, Ontario, Blues Festival in July 2008.[25]

In March 2008, Havens released a new studio album entitled, Nobody Left To Crown.[26] The first single release was the country-tinged "The Key".

Havens appeared in the acclaimed 2009 film Soundtrack for a Revolution, which provided a general history of the modern civil rights movement, and had modern artists performing many of the era's musical classics. In the film, Havens performed a haunting rendition of Will the Circle Be Unbroken?.[27]

Havens with journalist Phil Konstantin, on January 25, 2010

On May 3, 2009, Havens performed at the fundraising concert in honor of Pete Seeger's 90th birthday. In June 2009, he performed at the fifth annual Mountain Jam Festival. The event, hosted by Allman Brothers Band and Gov't Mule guitarist Warren Haynes, was held at the Hunter Mountain Ski Resort in Hunter, New York. As is the tradition, the festival took place on the weekend following Memorial Day. On June 20, 2009, Havens performed at the Clearwater Festival. On July 4, 2009, he performed at the Woodstock Tribute festival in Ramsey, New Jersey. On August 8, 2010, he performed at Musikfest 2010 at Foy Hall at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Health problems and death

In 2010, Havens had kidney surgery but did not recover fully enough to perform as he had before.[28] On March 20, 2012, he announced on his Facebook page that he would stop touring after 45 years due to health concerns.[29]

On April 22, 2013, Havens died of a heart attack at home in Jersey City, New Jersey at the age of 72.[24][30][31] The BBC referred to him as a "Woodstock icon,"[32] while Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young said Havens "could never be replicated."[32] The Daily Telegraph stated Havens "made an indelible mark on contemporary music,"[33] while Douglas Martin of The New York Times reported that Havens had "riveted Woodstock."[34]

Pursuant to Havens's request, his remains were cremated and his ashes were scattered from the air over the original site of the Woodstock Festival, in a ceremony held on August 18, 2013, the 44th anniversary of the last day of the festival.[35]

Havens was survived by three children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.[36]

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album US Top 200
1966 Mixed Bag 182
1968 Something Else Again 184
1968 Electric Havens 192
1969 Richie Havens' Record
1969 Richard P. Havens, 1983 80
1970 Stonehenge 155
1971 Alarm Clock 29
The Great Blind Degree 126
1973 Portfolio 182
1974 Mixed Bag II 186
1976 The End Of The Beginning 157
1977 Mirage
1980 Connections
1983 Common Ground
1987 Simple Things 173
Sings Beatles and Dylan
1991 Now
1994 Cuts to the Chase
2002 Wishing Well
2004 Grace of the Sun
2008 Nobody Left to Crown[2]

Live albums

Year Album US Top 200
1972 Richie Havens on Stage 55
1990 Live at the Cellar Door

Compilations

Year Album US Top 200
1993 Résumé: The Best of Richie Havens
1995 Classics
1999 Time
2000 The Millennium Collection
2004 Dreaming as One: The A&M Years
2005 High Flyin' Bird

Singles

Year Name US Hot 100
1967 "No Opportunity Necessary"
1969 "Rocky Raccoon"
"Lady Madonna"
1970 "Handsome Johnny"
"Alarm Clock"
1971 "Here Comes the Sun" 16
1972 "Freedom"
1973 "What About Me"
"It Was a Very Good Year"
"Eyesight of the Blind"
1976 "I'm Not in Love"
1977 "We All Wanna Boogie"
1980 "Going Back to My Roots"

Appearances

References

  1. 1 2 Soundtracks, Richie Havens IMDb page. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 433–434. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
  3. "Folk Singer Richie Havens, Blackfeet, Walks On". Indian Country Today Media Network. April 25, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  4. Robert Siegel (September 26, 2006). "Richie Havens: Face to Face with His Face". All Things Considered. NPR. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  5. "Carnegie Hall - Richie Havens". Carnegie Hall. Carnegie Hall Corporation. Retrieved 2016-02-11.
  6. https://theimmortaljukebox.com/2016/03/09/richie-havens-roots-freedom-bob-dylan-the-beatles/
  7. 1 2 "Richie Havens". Verve Records. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  8. 1 2 "Music". RichieHavens.com. Retrieved April 22, 2003.
  9. "Richie Havens: Electric Havens". MTV. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  10. "Richie Havens: Electric Havens". AllMusic.com. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  11. Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 202. CN 5585.
  12. Tobler (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years. p. 215. CN 5585.
  13. Tobler (1992). NME Rock 'n' Roll Years. p. 244. CN 5585.
  14. IMDb acting credits for Richie Havens
  15. 1 2 Official bio, Richiehavens.com, 2008. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  16. "The '80s TV Theme SuperSite: Promos (NBC)". 80stvthemes.com. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  17. Walsh, Ben. "Richie Havens". Archived from the original on October 25, 2007. Retrieved October 16, 2007.
  18. Raul Pollicino. "Gigography". Beastiemania.com. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  19. The Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Recipients List, peaceabbey.org. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  20. 1 2 Guest Appearances & Collaborations, RichieHavens.com. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  21. American Eagle Awards recipients
  22. "Richie Havens". Long Island Music Hall of Fame.
  23. 1 2 "Richie Havens, Folk and Woodstock Legend, Dead at 72". Billboard. April 22, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  24. "London Artist Bios". Thebluesfest.com. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  25. "Nobody Left to Crown: Richie Havens: Music". Amazon. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
  26. "Soundtrack for a Revolution". Soundtrackforarevolutionfilm.com. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  27. "Woodstock icon Richie Havens dies at 72". BBC News. April 23, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  28. "Richie Havens". Facebook. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  29. "Richie Havens dead; Folk musician was 72". FOX News. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  30. Cubarrubia, RJ (April 22, 2013). "Richie Havens, Folk Icon, Dead at 72". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  31. 1 2 "Woodstock icon Richie Havens dies at 72". BBC News. April 23, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  32. "Richie Havens". The Daily Telegraph. April 23, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  33. Martin, Douglas (April 23, 2013). "Richie Havens, Folk Singer Who Riveted Woodstock, Dies at 72". The New York Times. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  34. Coulehan, Erin (August 19, 2013), "Richie Havens' Ashes Scattered at Woodstock", Rolling Stone, retrieved August 19, 2013
  35. Randy Lewis, "Richie Havens, iconic Woodstock singer, dies at 72", Los Angeles Times, April 22, 2013.
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