10 Magnificent Losers. 10 Stories That Deserve to Be Told. 6) eden ahbez Eden Ahbez - Nature Boy
You know the massive Hollywood sign that dominates Los Angeles? That’s where George Aberle lived, even before becoming eden ahbez (strictly in all lowercase since capitals are only for God and Infinity). The record companies searching for him to secure the rights to his hits noticed this! A vegetarian and Buddhist, philosopher and musician, he lived off what grew on that hill and claimed he needed no more than three dollars a week. And not because he was poor: just "Nature Boy" guaranteed him million-dollar royalties. Nat "King" Cole brought it to fame, but after him, everyone sang it (and still does): from Sinatra to Marvin Gaye, from Grace Slick to Cher, from Alex Chilton to Bowie and Miles Davis and Coltrane... It’s easier to name those who DIDN’T sing it.
And he didn’t do it because it was trendy; it wasn’t the '60s yet. It was before, long before the Hippies and the flower children. His son and wife also lived under the "L" of Hollywood.
But it wasn’t just a lucky break; the guy also wrote for Sam Cooke and Frankie Laine, and quite a few others.
He recorded two LPs ("eden's Island" and the posthumous "Echoes from Nature Boy") and a few singles (I think three), with which he invented that “exotica” that would later become psychedelia.
Really a great guy.
He died at 87 years old due to a car accident.
Damn modernity!
You know the massive Hollywood sign that dominates Los Angeles? That’s where George Aberle lived, even before becoming eden ahbez (strictly in all lowercase since capitals are only for God and Infinity). The record companies searching for him to secure the rights to his hits noticed this! A vegetarian and Buddhist, philosopher and musician, he lived off what grew on that hill and claimed he needed no more than three dollars a week. And not because he was poor: just "Nature Boy" guaranteed him million-dollar royalties. Nat "King" Cole brought it to fame, but after him, everyone sang it (and still does): from Sinatra to Marvin Gaye, from Grace Slick to Cher, from Alex Chilton to Bowie and Miles Davis and Coltrane... It’s easier to name those who DIDN’T sing it.
And he didn’t do it because it was trendy; it wasn’t the '60s yet. It was before, long before the Hippies and the flower children. His son and wife also lived under the "L" of Hollywood.
But it wasn’t just a lucky break; the guy also wrote for Sam Cooke and Frankie Laine, and quite a few others.
He recorded two LPs ("eden's Island" and the posthumous "Echoes from Nature Boy") and a few singles (I think three), with which he invented that “exotica” that would later become psychedelia.
Really a great guy.
He died at 87 years old due to a car accident.
Damn modernity!
lector
4 apr 17
DeRank ™: 28,32
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