Enigmatic front man, guitarist and writer of the 1960's psychedelic rock group Love, and one of the finest songwriters of his generation. Fans in Europe never were to see the band at their peak because of Lee's dislike of touring but it also meant his reclusive lifestyle just added to the legend. It wasn't until decades later in the early 2000's Arthur Lee brought a group from the States to tour Europe playing some of the now famous songs of Love's successful days in the mid 60's.
There were just three albums between 1966 and 67 with the original core group but the songs were to reflect and represent as much about the era as any other band would, with the third release Forever Changes acclaimed all over the world and now listed as one of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Part of the legendary story of the group was 'The Castle' the large house which the band had named and made their communal home at the height of their popularity. It was a decaying mansion which had been used for horror films also known as the Talmadge House, after silent movie star Norma Talmadge, or “The Cedars”, being 4320 Cedarhurst Circle in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. The Castle had as many strange tales told about it as the band itself.
Arthur Lee : "Ah, the Castle. What a trip. I’d never seen a house that big. It was the spookiest place I have ever lived in. It was so big that when I would wake up in the middle of the night, I would meet two or three people I didn’t even know on the way to the kitchen and back. The property covered a whole block that went around in a circle. What went on their was more than an experience. I sometimes would go to bed with one girl and maybe wake up with another. It’s a funny thing. I don’t even remember playing with the whole band together there, but I do remember what went on, although the people that came by were too many to remember every one. Night after night, day after day, it was just one big party, with no maid. That big kitchen was where the trash was dumped and it smelled like every filthy thing you could think of... The place reminded me of the house in the television show The Munsters. when we first moved in there,"
excerpt from John Einarson biography - The Love Story (via WhenYouAwake)
The second Love album De Capo was to confirm their cult status at the time and was one of the first records to have an entire side with just one track.
Side one had the usual rich mix of short Arthur Lee songs, one was named "The Castle" in reference to the place itself. For anyone who had heard about the bands life at The Castle it was only to add further intrigue to the place with the clever use of Munster horror like harpsichord on one of the choruses and a passing end section with its Spanish/Mexican chords superbly played on acoustic guitar. Love albums were always a book of deep colours and atmospheres with just a touch of the sinister.
Arthur Lee died 3rd August 2006.
