R.I.P. Arthur Lee, 1945-2006

Arthur Lee, who was the quixotal leader of the 1960s LA-based psychedelic rock/pop band Love, died on August 4th in Memphis, Tennessee from leukemia, he was 61. Arthur Lee was the prototype for the black rocker, and arguably ahead of his time as the head of a multi-ethnic band before Sly Stone and Jimi Hendrix, but the question of who was first isn't as important to the Lee legacy as his unique artistic explorations within psychedelica and rock. A range of bands cited Love as an influence, particularly in Britain where the band was better known than in the US. As of late there has been a resurgence of interest in Lee and the band Love, so that when Lee announced that he was battling leukemia earlier this year there were numerous benefit concerts held in the US and Britain to aid him with medical bills. The songs "Little Red Book" and "Always See Your Face" were both featured on the soundtrack of High Fidelity; only the latter made it onto the soundtrack CD. To find out more about Lee and Love, check out the links below. The first link below includes video of Love performing "Little Red Book" on American Bandstand and Arthur Lee performing "7 & 7 Is" in London with Baby Lemonade.

R.I.P. Arthur Lee - thanks for all the Love
Arthur Lee, 61 a Pioneer of Psychedelic Rock, Is Dead