We at C-Notes have an endless affinity for Glenn Schwartz, the stark-raving mad, Old Testament obsessed guitar virtuoso who plays every Thursday at Major Hoopples (1930 Columbus Ave. 216.575.0483). Maybe we’re gluttons for punishment, but to us, there’s nothing better than a long night spent being irately informed that Orientals have pissed in our beer by a toothless preacher who once played Jimi Hendrix’s birthday party.
Perhaps the best part is the audience’s practiced non-plussed attitude toward the guy. If Schwartz played in California, angry picketers would demand his weekly show be yanked after one innocent diatribe against women or Chinese people. If he played in Brooklyn, hoards of hipsters would pay a $20 cover fee to get into the bar, and Robert DeNiro would produce a Glen Schwartz documentary that would sweep awards at the Tribeca Film Festival. …
This article appears in May 21-27, 2008.
“the stark-raving mad, Old Testament obsessed” description is dead on. why? he definitely refers to women as “harlets.” last time i heard that word used was in The Crucible.
Give Glenn a break — he was in a very brutal “Christian” cult for 10 years and was beaten and brainwashed.
And he NEVER PLAYED OR WAS ASKED TO PLAY AT
JIMI HENDRIX’S BIRTHDAY!
That is a myth that cult leader Larry Hill made it. The truth is that Jimi spent what turned out to be his last birthday party at the Rolling Stones concert in NYC. Glenn was one of many musicians hanging out backstage and he played with Jimi’s band of gypsies just for something to do. Jimi walked by, saw the jam, and nodded his head.
That was it–they all “knew one another” but Jimi NEVER
requested Glenn play for or with him. It was all a chance
encounter.