Lee Hazlewood
Few can say they've had their songs performed by both Dean Martin ("Houston") and Einsturzende Neubauten
("Sand"), but that's exactly the kind of thing that made Lee Hazlewood one of a kind. Gone at 78, he lost a three year battle with cancer Saturday at home in Nevada. We're honored to say that WFMU had a great afternoon in the presence of Hazlewood and his guitarist Al Casey in 1999, who were brought down to John Allen's radio show by Sonic Youth's Steve Shelley, at that time reissuing Lee's discs on his Smells Like imprint. There's no archive available, but John will be re-airing that interview this Wednesday night at 11pm in memory of one of the truest greats in American music who, while remembered most publicly for Nancy Sinatra collaborations, was so much more.
Al Casey: Guitars, Guitars, Guitars!
Posted by: Listener Kliph | August 06, 2007 at 09:50 PM
Yes, he died of cancer. How nice to show him enveloped in cigarette smoke.
Posted by: Jonathan | August 06, 2007 at 10:55 PM
That picture's on his website. I don't think Lee was out to kid anybody.
Posted by: Mike Lupica | August 07, 2007 at 01:46 PM
One of my prides of parenting is that my daughter (12yo) has an opinion about Lee Hazlewood (positive generally). One of my pleasures in life has been discovering him (Dolly Parton's Guitar) and his many influences through my listening to WFMU and other musical wanderings.
RIP Lee...
Posted by: Lewis E Gilbert | August 07, 2007 at 03:23 PM
The above paragraph makes it sound like there is something shameful about Lee being remembered for his work with Nancy Sinatra. I've enjoyed his solo outings, but feel that once Lee & Nancy hit with "Boots," Lee saved his best musical ideas - songs, production -- for his collaborations with her, and that those records were the pinnacle of his unique vision. Anyway, I’ll always cherish the memory of Nancy’s 1995 comeback tour, with full, live and very tasteful band (including Wrecking Crew keyboardist Don Randi), and some great duets with Lee…never thought I’d get to witness that! Lee’s lovably cantankerous/surly presence at the post-show meet-and-greet was just the icing on the cake. Thank you Lee AND Nancy!
Posted by: Jay | August 08, 2007 at 12:52 AM
Sad new...
He called his last lp "Cake or Death"...
Respect !
Posted by: La bUze | August 08, 2007 at 07:15 AM
one of the saddest days to music
Posted by: Leo Percepeid | August 09, 2007 at 01:30 AM
Lee smoked until just days before he died. Smoking is not what killed him.Lee without his smokes would'nt have been Lee.
Posted by: Bill Acree | August 17, 2007 at 06:56 PM