by Robert Wilkinson
Today is dedicated to the Patron Saint of Free Speech and a true social conscience, the amazing Lenny Bruce. This was a man who despite his frailties, was truly a pioneer of Free Speech, and was crucified for his efforts. He exposed society's hypocrisies and racism, and truly one of the very first to lay it all out there.
Culled from last year's post:
Most people don't know it, but we owe the immortal phrase "yadda yadda" to Lenny Bruce, the saint who died for our right to utter the famous "7 dirty words" of George Carlin. Starting as a standup jokemeister, he became an icon of free speech. His records certainly opened my young mind to the concept that we're all prejudiced toward beauty in "A White White Woman and a Black Black Woman." “So let's just persecute ugly people.” Wow. That, and “What do you mean WE, white man?” from the Lone Ranger bit.We also owe him bigtime for the ever-popular, seemingly ubiquitous immortal line "blablabla." Lenny Bruce used that line in his unbelievable account "What I Was Arrested For," where he reminded us that the exact “10 letter word” he was busted for was used over and over by both the prosecutor AND the Judge during his trial! So he was busted in a nightclub for using the exact word spoken in court by the DA and hizzoner.
While his behavior was marginal and very definitely self-destructive, he still did America a favor by "lifting the sheets," so to speak. RIP Lenny, and thanks for the laughs.
This year I've found some amazing film footage of this legend. I wholeheartedly recommend you watch as much as you can, because even though some of his material might seem dated and even obnoxious, he is a true Spiritual Zen Master we all can learn from. And, as it is said, "he died for our sins...."
Lenny Bruce on The Steve Allen Show in 1959 - Simply amazing.
A great find, though you can see the strain in the few short years between the one above and this one, Lenny Bruce's Second To Last Performance - over 5 minutes of gold.
An unbelievable live performance of "Dirty Lenny" and his bit on his legal travails. It's over 9 minutes and includes the infamous bit "T**ts and A**" and the immortal line "The Jew doesn't have a dirty word graph..."
Lenny Bruce's God live in May 1963.
Lenny Bruce Playboy Penthouse interview where he puts Hefner on about his "sick humor."
At this point the videos stop, and his audio bits begin. We start with:
The Truth, an amazing piece of wisdom in a very short period of time.
ADDITION: The Trials of Lenny Bruce, a great short bio voice over with pics and Miles Davis as the soundtrack.
Here's the original Christ & Moses one of his best known pieces of social commentary that still applies to this day. At least the poor get it.
Are There Any Niggers Here Tonight? which rivals any rapster for hip.
Now we go into tribute. Here's
Bob Dylan performing his song "Lenny Bruce" live in concert.
From the movie,
Dustin Hoffman's performance of "What Should Be/What Is."
Dustin's performance of "The Bust"
And as always on this day, Happy Birthday Wolfeman. You would have been 57 and having a blast! Some of us still miss you.
© Copyright 2008 Robert Wilkinson
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