Liberties my ass…
3:42PM ON
06/29/2008
BY
Beth Comery
… let them eat ROCK! Okay, let me get this straight, Ted Widmer, noted historian and director of the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University, was once guitarist Lord Rockingham of the Boston band The Upper Crust? Am I the only one who did not know this? The band is still fopping and rocking, but after the recording of “The Decline and Fall of the Upper Crust” Mr. Widmer left to become a speechwriter for President Clinton. (In all honesty I’m not altogether sure if he is even in the above photo, but does it really matter?)
He may be known to some locals as the trouble-making Martin Van Buren buff biographer who shook up the Atheneum lecture series; or to Slate readers for his Moby diss (thank.. you.. Ted). Today the ProJo ran a profile and a generally favorable review of his new book ‘Ark of the Liberties: America and the World’. I met him once and liked him right away, but now I really really like him.
Let Them Eat Rock is the 2004 Upper Crust documentary featuring Mr. Widmer, as well as the title of their 1995 album.
(photo:Jay Elliot)
June 29th, 2008 at 5:29PM
Ryan T. Conaty Says:
Holy crap I saw these guys at the met in like 1997. I still listen to the album. They certainly are the creme of the crust, I just thought I was the only one who knew it. can’t wait for the movie.
Reply
June 29th, 2008 at 7:12PM
jones Says:
not in that photo, but an awesome guy and an awesome band. i was just thinking today as one of their songs came up on my ipod shuffle how much i’d like to see them return to providence. not likely though….
Reply
July 12th, 2008 at 11:48PM
christmas in july | Providence Daily Dose Says:
[...] listed among Hot Leg’s influences on their myspace page is none other than the Upper Crust. We are all connected. Sphere: Related [...]
December 30th, 2008 at 12:51PM
“Scrodliness is next to Godliness” | Providence Daily Dose Says:
[...] the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University, and former member of the Upper Crust (discussed earlier in this space). If Mr. Widmer had some hope of keeping his secret life hidden from his fellow academics and the [...]
April 6th, 2009 at 10:32AM
christmas in july « Hot Leg’s Hot Press Says:
[...] local connection… listed among Hot Leg’s influences on their myspace page is none other than the Upper Crust. We are all [...]
November 5th, 2009 at 2:08PM
Rock and Roll Yard Sale — All Weekend | Providence Daily Dose Says:
[...] of the Upper Crust! (I doubt he still gets all dandified and bewigged due to his present, more elevated station in life. . . a step down if you ask me. FYI, the UC are in town Friday, more later.) And of course there [...]
November 6th, 2009 at 9:44AM
I’m A Sucker For Guys In Eyeliner | Providence Daily Dose Says:
[...] you get the idea. (They have an old friend in this city.) Their recent appearance playing ‘We’re Finished with Finishing [...]