Memories of Moondog

New York City is replete with "characters", oddballs and others, who become semi-famous, sometimes notorious, in the city for their work or their "shtick" (often both). Think Al Goldstein. Think the Naked Cowboy. Think Rudy Giuliani. (Mr NYC is, perhaps, an aspiring NYC character, albeit a digital one.)

Then there was Moondog

For many years, until 1974 when he moved to Berlin, a man in a viking helmet, adorned with a cape and holding a spear, could be found standing on 52nd street and 6th Avenue on most days. Just standing there, quietly, stoically gazing at the passing throng -- although sometimes he sang and read poetry. Most people thought he was some kind of weirdo (he was!) but he was so much more than that -- the man, who became popularly known as Moondog, was an accomplished musician who wrote symphonies and songs, and who toured and appeared on the radio and television to play his music. Even more impressive, he invented actual instruments, odd contraptions that made nontraditional sounds, and that included synthesizing the sounds of the city streets. 

A transplant from Kansas, a true Renaissance journeyman, NYC was one of Moondog's many haunts. Sadly he left the city before my time and died in 1999, but a new re-issue of his work his bringing Moondog back into the public consciousness, reviving memories of the talented oddball Nordic hero of 6th Avenue, and keeping his legacy alive.