Damned near 1800 people died in the United States today from COVID-19. Among them were longtime SNL stalwart Hal Willner and, of course, one of the premier American songwriters of the last half century, John Prine. And what just guts me is that it didn’t have to be this bad. It just didn’t. But here we are. – AC Smith
I didn’t planing on writing any duo-combo obituaries, but then again, I rarely ever “plan” to write obituaries for a website where the main focus is usually a catchy little rock song and it’s tangled inter-connections to assorted pop culture references.
But these are not ordinary times.
In fact, these are very difficult times for many of us, as we deal with a serious worldwide crisis that threatens every aspect of our lives. And, yes, as AC Smith mentioned, it really didn’t have to be this bad.
When this government of ours guts the CDC, alienates longtime allies, wages a campaign of disinformation, and acts irresponsibly about the virus crisis, it actually does make a major difference in shaping the world we live in.
How all of this stuff will eventually unravel is anybody’s guess.
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Hal Willner was an absolute genius when it came to music tribute compilations and unlikely musical collaborations. He produced music for Saturday Night Live, but his skills really got a serious work-out when he was the music coordinator for a short-lived NBC Saturday Night Live offshoot entitled “Sunday Night” (later retitled “Night Music”). Executive-produced by Lorne Michaels and hosted by David Sanborn and sometimes Jools Holland, this program was a quirky hodgepodge of assorted musicians.
One of Willner’s greatest coups happened in 1989 when he engineered a team-up between Leonard Cohen and Sonny Rollins for the short-lived NBC show Night Music. Executive-produced by Lorne Michaels and hosted by David Sanborn and Jools Holland, the program featured a stunning array of talent, from rock legends (Joe Walsh, Carlos Santana) to jazz royalty (Dizzy Gillespie, Sun Ra), visionary composers (Philip Glass, John Zorn), and inspired outliers (Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Diamanda Galás). Sometimes, Willner, who served as musical coordinator, would even play mix-and-match with the guests.
This was absolutely the coolest, most eclectic, and downright entertaining musical variety TV show that ever existed!! It was produced by Lorne Michaels and would play on late Sunday nights.
I used to get so angry when KRON, the San Francisco NBC affiliate, would sometimes broadcast a boring sports TV show in its place.
Of all the TV shows that have NEVER been released on DVD or BluRay, this would be my #1 choice for a proper reissue.
Leonard Cohen / Sonny Rollins – Who By Fire – Night Music
Prior to the Disney collection, he produced “Amarcord Nino Rota” in 1981, “That’s The Way I Feel Now: A Tribute to Thelonious Monk” in 1984 and “Lost in the Stars: The Music of Kurt Weill” a year later, employing guests ranging from Deborah Harry to Wynton and Bradford Marsalis and John Zorn. In 1992, he followed these sets with “Weird Nightmare: Meditations on Mingus,” a mostly instrumental salute to the jazz legend that also included vocal interpretations of his work from Elvis Costello, Henry Rollins, Dr. John, Leonard Cohen and Chuck D.
“He gets musicians together who wouldn’t get together,” NRBQ’s Terry Adams told the New York Times in a profile of Willner. “And it always works.”
This tribute to Disney music will always have a special place in my heart with all diverse interpretations by Yma Sumac, Tom Waits, Aaron Neville, Replacements, Sinead O’Connor, NRBQ, Harry Nilsson, Los Lobos, RINGO, and so many others..
Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films
His last major compilations came in 2006 and again in 2013 in the form of pirate-themed “Rogues Gallery” albums, which featured Bono, Nick Cave, Richard Thompson, Sting, Bryan Ferry, John C. Reilly, and the pairings of Michael Stipe with Courtney Love and Patti Smith with Johnny Depp.
Willner had been at work for years on a T. Rex tribute album, with tracks already in the can by U2 and others, that is yet to be released.
I don’t remember Hal Willner ever tackling LOUIE LOUIE, but my gawd… he produced some truly mind-blowing recordings!
As a resident of New York..
Rest in peace, Hal.
So sad.
— Steve Lookner (@lookner) April 7, 2020
I always wanted to have a number one – but not this . Pure Arch Oboler with Serling added . In bed on upper west side . H pic.twitter.com/zEqZmqmlWk
— Hal Willner (@WillnerHal) March 28, 2020
I don’t remember Hal Willner ever tackling LOUIE LOUIE, but my gawd… he produced some truly mind-blowing recordings!
Sending love to John Prine who is in critical condition with COVID-19.. John is a music giant. His songs are as good as it gets and he’s a spellbinding performer. Send good thoughts his way. “I sound like that old guy down the street that doesn't chase you out of his apple tree.” pic.twitter.com/fdmhOD8vqE
— Hal Willner (@WillnerHal) March 30, 2020
REFERENCE LINKS:
Variety – Hal Willner, Music Producer and ‘SNL’ Veteran, Dies of Coronavirus at 64
NPR – Hal Willner, ‘SNL’ Staple And Acclaimed Music Producer, Has Died
NME – Courtney Love and Flea lead tributes to Lou Reed producer Hal Willner, who has died aged 64
BBC News – Coronavirus: US records highest death toll in single day