Underground comic artist R. Crumb talks about his obsession with collecting rare 78s.
Discaholic Corner - R. Crumb Interview
Discaholic Corner - R. Crumb Interview
R. Crumb - obsessive record collecting
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Great interview! Terry Zwigoff was the director of "Crumb". He also wrote and directed "Ghostworld". He was obviously profoundly impacted by making "Crumb" because the character of Seymour played by Steve Buscemi in Ghostworld is clearly a direct reference to Robert Crumb. Lots of great music in Ghostworld too.
Oh my there is a name out of my past. I have a bunch of his underground comics from Ripoff Press. I wonder if he still has his thing for what would in some circles would be called Rubenesque women. I have comics who's main character in this PC world cannot be named but she is a 9 foot tall black lady who wears nothing but bananas around her waist and a bone in her hair and is illegal because of the affect she has on the men of the world. There is this outrageous illustration of Robert Crumb walking down the street with her, the top of his head is just about even with her bellybutton.
As Oat Willie would say: "Onward Through The Fog".
As Oat Willie would say: "Onward Through The Fog".
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DougMac
Super Member
That's an excellent article filled with self aware illustrations. It made me think of the countless hours I've spent digging through old junk shops and the thrill of coming across a rare record. I've calculated you need to see about 1500 "White Christmas" 78's for every fun record you find.
My last big find was about a year ago. I saw a listing for both LP's and 78's and went to the house of a retired man selling off his stuff. There were about 150 78's. In the group was "Graveyard Blues" by Bessie Smith and two Georgia Tom records. Georgia Tom was actually Thomas Dorsey, the famous gospel composer. He wrote "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" days after losing his wife and son in childbirth. He also wrote "Peace in the Valley".
I had to buy all 150 78's to get those three.
I can also relate to the weight. When we moved to our new home, I wouldn't let the movers touch my audio gear or my records. I ordered boxes from Bags Unlimited and boxed up the collection. Even with the back seat of the van folded down, it took three trips to move. When I loaded up some of the 78's, I noticed the van was squatting. I counted the boxes and estimated the weight at 1500 pounds!
My last big find was about a year ago. I saw a listing for both LP's and 78's and went to the house of a retired man selling off his stuff. There were about 150 78's. In the group was "Graveyard Blues" by Bessie Smith and two Georgia Tom records. Georgia Tom was actually Thomas Dorsey, the famous gospel composer. He wrote "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" days after losing his wife and son in childbirth. He also wrote "Peace in the Valley".
I had to buy all 150 78's to get those three.
I can also relate to the weight. When we moved to our new home, I wouldn't let the movers touch my audio gear or my records. I ordered boxes from Bags Unlimited and boxed up the collection. Even with the back seat of the van folded down, it took three trips to move. When I loaded up some of the 78's, I noticed the van was squatting. I counted the boxes and estimated the weight at 1500 pounds!
tx_polkhead
Well-Known Member
You could have just titled the thread
"R. Crumb - obsessive." I had a photography professor in college who was a bit like Crumb, loved the guy but knew he was trapped by his obsessions too.
"R. Crumb - obsessive." I had a photography professor in college who was a bit like Crumb, loved the guy but knew he was trapped by his obsessions too.
grillebilly
Empty Head
Thanks for posting this
The comics were especially cool
The comics were especially cool
beatcomber
AK Member
A friend of mine has been trading records with Crumb for decades, often in exchange for original artwork.
One time back in 1987 Crumb was passing through the area where we lived and stopped for dinner at my friend's house, so I was invited to join them later in the evening. He was painfully shy and sat on the couch with his legs protectively tucked under his rear the whole time, but at least I was able to get him to sign my copy of Zap Comix #0!
One time back in 1987 Crumb was passing through the area where we lived and stopped for dinner at my friend's house, so I was invited to join them later in the evening. He was painfully shy and sat on the couch with his legs protectively tucked under his rear the whole time, but at least I was able to get him to sign my copy of Zap Comix #0!
elgato8905
Nobody special.
Dswankey
Lunatic Member
Here's a good Crumb story regarding 78's
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories...nto-trade-for-drawing-by-noted-artist-677032/
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories...nto-trade-for-drawing-by-noted-artist-677032/
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Wigwam Jones
Caesar non supra grammati
Great read, thanks!
beatcomber
AK Member
My friend, Jerry Zolten, is referenced in the article! He is legendary for his ability to sniff out the rarest records.
ekmanning5
Time has told me...
R. Crumb loved the Big Leg Emma's. I love his cartoons. I found the documentary about him and his family fascinating. It seems like R Crumb was the "normal" one of the bunch which is pretty scary. His love for 78s is legendary. I think he was more worried about his collection making it to France than his wife or daughter. 
ekmanning5
Time has told me...
PM sent with link.
