Great Moments in WFMU History #32

Silver Apples Reunite - by Fabio Roberti

For some 3 decades the Silver Apples were one of those legendary late-sixties bands that had been missing in action, whereabouts unknown, with a cult following who treasured their two obscure Kapp LPs like rare jewels. So it was with great pleasure that we at WFMU -- who are among the band's most fervent supporters -- could count ourselves in some small measure responsible for their rediscovery and indeed for the reformation of the original lineup of the band.

During an afternoon Marathon pledge-drive on Tony Coulter's show, we received a call from a listener claiming to be the original drummer of the Silver Apples -- Danny Taylor. He was listening to WFMU when he heard Tony play a Silver Apples track in between pledge-pitches. DJs Fabio and Tony eagerly plotted a scheme to reignite the Silver Apples’ flame, by putting Danny back into contact with Simeon Coxe (Apples singer and electronics player). Simeon hadn't heard from Danny in decades -- they'd lost contact sometime in the mid-seventies. Once the two reached each other, things started taking off and the original Silver Apples were soon playing gigs, touring and releasing new records (and some old unfinished recordings as well) much to the great pleasure of their fans.

Illustration by Dimitri Simakis

Comments

[Dale Hazelton]

Not one MP3? I'm a tad slow on the uptake and aren't familiar with them....

[Ray Brazen]

Silver Apples original lineup reunion at Maxwell's -- greatest reunion show I ever saw, and bear in mind that I've also seen the reunited Stooges AND Pretty Things so you know that's a big compliment.

It was also the most intimate reunion show I ever saw -- especially when you consider that only 40 or 50 people were there all told.

[Geoff Greenberg]

From their MySpace page:
Danny Taylor passed away recently (March 10 2005) of a heart attack in Kingston, New York at the age of 56.

[Arvo]

Well, whatever responsibility WFMU has in it, I'm grateful. I'm in a band (Loto Ball Show) that is touring with Simeon's solo incarnation of Silver Apples later this month and I'm excited as hell about it.

[Arvo]

Well, whatever responsibility WFMU has in it, I'm grateful. I'm in a band (Loto Ball Show) that is touring with Simeon's solo incarnation of Silver Apples later this month and I'm excited as hell about it.

[Arvo]

Well, whatever responsibility WFMU has in it, I'm grateful. I'm in a band (Loto Ball Show) that is touring with Simeon's solo incarnation of Silver Apples later this month and I'm excited as hell about it.

[larry the bagelman]

I doubt anyone will see this post - but back in 1968 I did a show on WFMU when it was still on Prospect St. & was owned by Upsala - I would do free concerts in the parks in NYC - Thompkins Sq. in particular- I got a call from the Silver Apples asking to perform for free - we packed about 6000 people into that little park one Saturday in the spring & they blew the audience away - Danny had to be one of the greatest drummers of the time & their homemade Moog synthesizer(sp.) was unbelieveable

[larry the bagelman]

I doubt anyone will see this post - but back in 1968 I did a show on WFMU when it was still on Prospect St. & was owned by Upsala - I would do free concerts in the parks in NYC - Thompkins Sq. in particular- I got a call from the Silver Apples asking to perform for free - we packed about 6000 people into that little park one Saturday in the spring & they blew the audience away - Danny had to be one of the greatest drummers of the time & their homemade Moog synthesizer(sp.) was unbelieveable