![]() ![]() In the story of the song, Roland becomes embroiled in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War and Congo Crisis of the 1960s. They killed to earn their living, and to help out the Congolese With their fingers on their triggers, knee deep in goreįor days and nights they battled, the Bantu to their knees Through ’66 and 7 they fought the Congo war So he set out for Biafra to join the bloody fray The deal was made in Denmark on a dark and stormy day ![]() With a Thompson gun for hire, fighting to be done Roland was a warrior from the land of the midnight sun ![]() The song starts with the line “Roland was a warrior from the Land of the Midnight Sun,” and while that phrase may have some wiggle room, all doubt is later removed with the additional line “Norway’s bravest son.” “That Son-of-a Bitch Dave Lindell blew off Roland’s (or Zevon’s) head”.įor a music page called Rocking In the Norselands if is obviously particularly noteworthy that Roland was a true Norselender – a Norwegian, in fact. In early live versions, Zevon would occasionally transpose words e.g. One afternoon, over many jars, Zevon and Lindell set about capturing such an adventure story in song form, and thus the song was born, and quickly made it into the live set. Zevon, typically interested in the darker side of life, was taken with the many adventurous tales Lindell would spin about his experiences. The proprietor was a piratical ex-mercenary named David Lindell.” The former mercenary had taken up running the bar after a stint working as a mercenary in Africa. He later said, “In 1974 I ran off to Spain and got a job in an Irish bar called the Dubliner, in Sitges, on the Costa Brava. The song was composed by Warren Zevon and David Lindell, and was recorded for Zevon’s third album Excitable Boy (released 18 January 1978). It is full of international drama, exotic locations, battles, betrayal, and – ultimately – stone cold revenge. Holding court in his friend Bruce Springsteen's neighborhood, he charges into a medley of "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me" and the Boss's own "Cadillac Ranch." Now completely pumped up, Zevon closes with favorites "Excitable Boy," "Ain't That Pretty At All" and of course, "Werewolves Of London," which he introduces and sings as "Werewolves of Jersey.Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner is a song steeped in classic adventure story elements – a literal ‘Boy’s Own’-adventure in rock music form. Zevon puts the band (not as good as the one on his previous tour, but still solid by anyone's standards) through several of his best known songs including "A Certain Girl" (Zevon's remake of the Yardbirds tune), "Jeannie Needs A Shooter," "Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner," "Simple Man, Simple Dreams," "Lawyers, Guns And Money," and "Accidentally Like A Martyr," which he dedicated to Martin Scorsese, who he called: "the man who makes the greatest movies." From that album he performs "Lookin' For The Next Best Thing," "Charlie Medicine," and the title song. Much of the newer material came from the brilliant Zevon LP The Envoy, which helped revive his career in the music business after a much publicized bout with drugs and alcohol. VJ Marc Goodman was the emcee, and it seems odd now hearing his introduction, considering music like this would never be heard on the original video channel these days. This show, although not quite as strong as the 1980 Philadelphia show also done for the King Biscuit Flower Hour, was originally broadcast on FM radio as well as on MTV. No, just kidding, but in case I don't, I'd like to thank everyone for a great time and have a great life." Then the irreverent music celebrity launched into his classic song, "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead." ![]() It was remarkably eerie that the late, great singer/songwriter Warren Zevon ended this memorable 1982 performance by telling the audience: "They say that everything that dies will come back - and if that is true, I hope I come back as Suzanne Sommers. Warren Zevon - vocals, guitars, piano Randy Brown - guitar, vocals Joe Daniels - drums Larry Larson - bass John Wood - lead guitar, vocals ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |