Walter Powers of The Lost

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I got sad news last night that a dear Boston friend died at 79. That is Walter Powers, who I came to know through my library circles [I worked at BU Library for almost 10 years- and got to know a bunch of MIT Library people, especially Gordon Thomas, who played the organ at our wedding.] He and Walter did cataloging and had little bands during academic intermissions.

 

Walter Powers was a real good guy. Also, a musical historian, erudite, movie star good looking, and famous in the Boston music scene. Including the so-called BossTown Sound scene. He had been in - among others - The Lost with Willie Alexander, Listening with Peter Malickand the Grass Menagerie with Doug Yule, who went on to replace John Cale in the Velvet Underground.

When Lou Reed left the Velvets, Walter replaced him, and he brought in Willie Alexander when Sterling Morrison went back to college, leaving Mo Tucker the last of the originals.

Tough job to replace Lou there, Walter would admit, but honestly, we never talked about the Velvet Underground.

This was the ‘80s or ‘90s and we talked about the sound of the ‘80s and ‘90s -  Los Lobos and Fabulous Thunderbirds and Blasters, for example. Best to be cool. Which Walter was!

However, I used to play Sunday afternoon jams in lofts, including at times with Walter on bass [propulsive excellent bass], and we did knock out the Velvet Underground's "I Cant Stand It Anymore, Ma" one time. He was that nice. Also I remember  "Dont Worry About Me" [Marty Robbins] and "It's Only Make Believe" [Conway Twitty] where I think I remember he took over the singing on it. He also led a rave up on Rockin Sidney's "You A’int Nothing but Fine" . I always remember he boldly stood up for me when one of the guitar players kept stepping on me in the mix.

"I know I will be a footnote in the RocknRoll Hall of Fame." I think he said once. Bemusedly.

He tried out for Van Morrison's Band in summer of 1967 in Cambridge. He told Gordon he was stoned and found an antique Wheel Chair in the trash on the way over  to try out. In the spirit of the time he did the audition sitting in the scavenged Wheel Chair, and didnt get the job.

I saw him at The Lost and The Remains Reunion show at the Paradise - where I really got to see what kings of garage were. Brilliant night. Feeling glad to have known him and sad on his leaving. - Jack V.

 https://grokipedia.com/page/Walter_Powers_(musician)


Thought Where are we without the language we learned from the birds of prehistory singing this morning? I don't want to know.

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