Friday, 21 March 2025

Mr. Lee Crabtree / of The Fugs

He also served
a quiet, bemused soul
freckled, uncomfortable
you couldn't tell if he was young or old

Part of the first underground rock groups
The Fugs, The Holy Modal Rounders
swigged crême de menthe at St. Mark's Church
played with Pearls Before Swine
sat and wrote with Patti Smith

Author of An Unfinished Memoir, he
deserves his place in the pantheon 

Lee played the piano, Farfisa, percussion
flute, celeste, and bells
a plastic toy horn in the Chelsea Hotel
friend of Ted Berrigan
hanging out at Allen Ginsberg's farmhouse

Peter Schjeldahl remembered him
as the gentlest, most generous person

Finally, accounts are disputed
talk of demons and trenches
struggles with family and acceptance
and aren't we all trying to connect

No more winters in Springfield, Mass.
no more visits to Bustin's Island
no wikipedia page for Lee Crabtree 1942-1973





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