Sky Saxon

Sky Sunlight Saxon
Sky Saxon in Germany, March 1989
Background information
Birth name	Richard Elvern Marsh
Also known as	Little Richie Marsh
Born	(1937-08-20)August 20, 1937 Salt Lake City, Utah United States
Died	June 25, 2009(2009-06-25) (aged 71) Austin, Texas United States
Genres	Rock, psychedelic rock, garage rock
Occupations	Musician Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, bass guitar, guitar
Years active	1962–2009
Labels	GNP Crescendo
Website

Sky "Sunlight" Saxon (August 20, 1937 – June 25, 2009) was an American rock and roll musician who was best known as the leader and singer of the 1960s Los Angeles psychedelic garage rock band The Seeds.^[1]

Biography

Saxon was born Richard Elvern Marsh in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 20, 1937.^[2] Different sources suggest a birth year of 1937,^[3] 1945^[4] or 1946.^[5] His widow has said that his birthday was August 20, but would not confirm the year because he believed age was irrelevant. However, 1940 census records indicate he was born in Utah in 1937.^[6]

He began his career performing doo-wop pop tunes in the early 1960s under the name Little Richie Marsh.^[7] After changing his name to Sky Saxon, he formed the Electra-Fires in 1962 and then Sky Saxon & the Soul Rockers.^[8] Several of these early songs were collected on a 1983 album on AIP called New Fruit from Old Seeds / The Rare Sky Saxon, Volume One.

In 1965, Saxon founded the psychedelic flower power band The Seeds with Jan Savage (guitar), Rick Andridge (drums) and Darryl Hooper (keyboards).^[9] Hit songs for Saxon and the Seeds included "Can't Seem to Make You Mine", "Mr. Farmer" and "Pushin' Too Hard," which became a top 40 song and enduring rock anthem in 1967. Saxon's singing performance has been dismissed by critics like Lester Bangs as an American imitation of Mick Jagger,^[10] while others considered it a more complicated synthesis of Jagger, Eddie Cochran and Buddy Holly.^[11] The music on the Seeds 1966 albums The Seeds (GNP Crescendo 2023) and A Web of Sound (GNP Crescendo 2033) have been described as "weird psychotic blues highlighting Sky's demented, vocal sermonizing."^[8]

A spinoff project, The Sky Saxon Blues Band, recorded one album, A Full Spoon of Seedy Blues, (GNP Crescendo 2040) with members of Muddy Waters' band.^{[citation needed]} At the same time, Saxon continued The Seeds, recording Future (GNP Crescendo 2038) and Raw and Alive - Merlin's Magic Music Box (GNP Crescendo 2043). Later, in 1977 producer Neil Norman compiled and released Fallin' Off the Edge (GNP Crescendo 2107). an album containing rare "B" sides and unissued material.^[8]

Even though "Pushin' Too Hard" was named one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll, The Seeds have still not been recognized by that institution.

After The Seeds

In the 1970s, Saxon continued to work on the music scene, releasing a number of 45s and a few independently released LPs, often using the name Sky Sunlight Saxon, the New Seeds, or variations thereupon. His 1977 EP is particularly noteworthy.^[12]

In 1973, Saxon became a member of the Source Family religious group, a Hollywood Hills commune led by YaHoWha (a restaurateur, whose real name was Jim Baker) who gave Saxon the names Sunlight and Arlick.^[13][14] In 1998, Saxon orchestrated the release of a 13-CD set of the psychedelic tribal music recorded by the commune's band Ya Ho Wa 13 during the 1970s. These original vinyl were used from the archives of Damian and Isis Aquarian and photos from Isis archives. See the untold story of "Father Yod, Yahowha 13 and the Source Family" by Isis Aquarian. ^[15]

In subsequent years, Saxon released a number of albums under various band names including The Starry Seeds Band, Sky Saxon & Firewall, King Arthur's Court, and Shapes Have Fangs.^[8][16] Additionally, Saxon had several times reformed The Seeds with different musician line-ups.

In 2008, Saxon and the Seeds collaborated on some new songs and recordings with Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins.^[17] Saxon later appeared in the music video of the Smashing Pumpkins' song "Superchrist".^[18] Sky Saxon's last performance and recording was done in Austin, TX.

Death

Saxon died unexpectedly on June 25, 2009, (the same day as Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett) in an Austin, Texas hospital of an infection that had spread throughout his organs due to a simple infection contracted at some point that was never treated. Saxon died of heart and kidney failure due to the infection. He was 71. ^[19] At the time of his death, he had been scheduled to commence a tour of the United States and Canada as part of the "California '66" tour, featuring reformed versions of The Seeds, The Electric Prunes and Love.^[20]

References

External links

• - OFFICIAL WEBSITE - Tribute album details here, as well.
• Sky Saxon - Daily Telegraph obituary
• Discography - Complete illustrated Sky Saxon discography
• family official website. The Source Family Official Website