Music writer John Swenson will be commemorated with a concert at the Broadside
Erin P. Hernandez
2 min read
The late music writer John Swenson, former editor and frequent contributor to OffBeatwill be commemorated with a The Broadside concert on Saturday, May 14, to benefit the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic.
The memorial will take place from 6-10 p.m. and will feature a stellar lineup of New Orleans musicians, including James Andrews & The Crescent City All-Stars, Ed Volker, Debbie Davis, Davis Rogan, Helen Gillet, 101 Runners with Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Joe Cabral, Andy J. Forest, Michael Skinkus, Dayna Kurtz, Don Bartholomew and the Bartholomew Boyz and others.
Swenson died March 28 at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer. He began writing about popular music in 1967. He worked as an editor for Crawdaddy, rolling stone, Circus Review, world of rock and OffBeat. Swenson’s has written for many other magazines, including Ladybug Magazine, The voice of the village, Zoo World Music Magazine, Sound magazine, Spur Magazine, Highlights, review of musicians, guitar world, Cream, twirl, Record Culture Magazine and the American Oxford. Additionally, he edited the jazze.com website for Knit Media and published 15 books, including biographies on Kiss, The Who, The Eagles, Stevie Wonder, Simon and Garfunkel, and Bill Haley. Additionally, Swenson, with rolling stone writer Dave Marsh, published the Rolling Stone Records Guide and he edited the Guide to Rolling Stone Jazz and Blues Albums. His 2010 book, New Atlantis: the musicians fight for the survival of New Orleans, clearly demonstrated Swenson’s encyclopedic knowledge of New Orleans music and its musicians.
Swenson was also a syndicated music columnist for over 20 years at United Press International and Reuters.
The New Orleans Musicians Clinic (NOMC), founded in 1998, provides comprehensive medical care and social services to musicians, performing artists, cultural workers and tradition bearers. Any patient aged 19 or over and their family are served, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.
The Broadside is located at 600 N. Broad Street. Tickets will be available in advance here.
