Townes Van Zandt Lives on in Song Tonight at Linneman’s
POSTED:: March 12, 2010
FILED UNDER:: Concerts
Townes Van Zandt, one of America’s greatest songwriters, unfortunately was one of the most troubled. His early death (at age 52 in 1997) a result of years of battling manic depression, treatment and drug usage. Van Zandt, most famous for songs “Pancho and Lefty” (click photo to listen), “Dead Flowers” and “Tecumseh Valley”, was a brilliant man, his IQ that of genius level (Van Zandt scored a 1170 on his SAT in 1960). His parents hoped for the young Van Zandt to take a career in law or politics, but Van Zandt gravitated towards music, influencing scores of fellow musicians with his simple, but striking music. His songs have been popularly covered by notable artists such as Emmylou Harris, Bob Dylan, Lyle Lovett and Steve Earle.
Tonigh at Linneman’s (1001 E. Locust), Milwaukee musicians will pay homage to the memory of the musician Townes Van Zandt for a tribute show that will include Van Zandt songs covered by The Carolinas, Chris DeMay, The Riverwest Aces,Terry Hackbarth, Jason Mohr, Damian Strigens, Betty Blexrud-Strigens and Mike Devogel. A pre-show screening of the Townes Van Zandt film Be Here to Love Mestarts the evening off at 8 p.m., with music to follow, after. 21+