Chris Morris (music writer)

Last updated

Chris Morris is a music writer based in Los Angeles, California. He is known for his coverage of L.A.'s independent scene in the 1970s and 1980s, which made him "a central voice in Left Coast music journalism." [1] He has also written well-received books on Los Lobos and Bob Dylan.

Contents

Career

Radio and journalism

Morris grew up in Chicago. His father was the program director for WTTW, Chicago's public television station. As a teenager in 1968, Chris worked as an associate in WTTW's publicity department. He grew to love blues music and hosted a weekly blues show while working as a late-night FM DJ in Madison, Wisconsin. [2] That was on WIBA-FM, also known as "Radio Free Madison," with all the DJs in control of their own programming. Morris had worked there part-time in the early '70s and moved back to Madison to take a full-time job with the 50,000-watt station. His shows also included R&B and rockabilly, as well as Patti Smith—and The Ramones, whose debut album got Morris fired when he played it in late 1976. [3]

Morris relocated to Los Angeles on Good Friday, 1977. [2] He became music critic for the Los Angeles Reader from 1978–1996. During this period and beyond, his writing helped build and preserve the reputation of leading L.A. bands that sprang up around that time. [3]

Morris showed his eclectic knowledge of musical forms in writing for Rolling Stone about Uprising , the last album that Bob Marley released in his lifetime. [4] That was also evidenced by his 1981 feature on Echo and the Bunnymen. [5] For the same magazine, he returned to the realm of reggae and African popular music in covering the 1984 tour co-starring Black Uhuru and King Sunny Adé.[ citation needed ]

Morris briefly left the Los Angeles Reader to work for local music trade weekly Music Connection . He and several other writers resigned in September 1988, however, in protest against the firing of their colleague, senior editor Bud Scoppa. [6]

In addition, Morris was senior writer for Billboard in Los Angeles, where he worked from 1986–2004, writing a weekly column about independent music for 12 years. Shortly thereafter, he joined Billboard's sister publication, The Hollywood Reporter , as music editor. However, he was let go in a major restructuring in 2006. [7]

Morris contributed a bi-weekly column, "Sonic Nation," to the alternative weekly LA CityBeat . His writing has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times , Spin , Mojo , LA Weekly , Chicago Reader, and other publications. [8] These outlets included the websites Trunkworthy, [9] Night Flight, and Music Aficionado.

His time with CityBeat ended in 2008. Meanwhile, he continued to serve as a DJ under the "Indie 103.1" format of KDLD, hosting a show devoted to roots music called "Watusi Rodeo". [10] After it was canceled in 2009, the show later resurfaced on Scion Radio 17 from Scion Audio/Visual.

In 2011, while he was working for Scion Radio 17, Morris hosted a panel discussion at the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live as part of the Cleveland Confidential book tour. The panelists were Cheetah Chrome, Mike Hudson of The Pagans, former Hollywood Records president Bob Pfeifer, and David Thomas. [11]

Morris is currently a contributing writer at Variety . Among other things, he is a prolific composer of obituaries of prominent figures in the music world. In recent years, his subjects have included Mo Ostin, Mark Lanegan, Ronnie Spector, Charlie Watts, Dusty Hill, Mary Wilson, Charley Pride, Peter Green, Charlie Daniels, John Prine, and Kenny Rogers. His obits also cover film stars such as Rutger Hauer. [12]

Liner notes

As an authority on L.A.'s indie scene, Morris was chosen to write liner notes for several compilations and reissues of works by pivotal bands and artists of the era. They included:

An especially colorful example of his words may be found in the liner notes for Pigus Drunkus Maximus (1987), the only album from Top Jimmy & The Rhythm Pigs, another band central to that scene.

The 1991 boxed set Howlin' Wolf: The Chess Box featured an "unusually complete" accompanying booklet, with the introduction by Morris providing a tribute and an overview. [15] Eventually, in 2020, this compilation was recognized by the Blues Hall of Fame. [16]

Morris annotated Rhino Records' punk rock boxed set No Thanks! The '70s Punk Rebellion (2003). In 2004, he received a 47th Annual Grammy Awards nomination for best album notes. [17]

Books and films

Morris provided the text for Beyond and Back: The Story of X (1983). He also held a number of full-time jobs in publicity, and one of his assignments came from Skouras Pictures, distributor of another X project, the documentary X: The Unheard Music . [2]

His book Los Lobos: Dream in Blue was published by University of Texas Press in 2015. It was the first book-length critical history of the veteran band from East L.A. The Lincoln Journal-Star called it "a much needed, insightful look." [18] Record Collector News observed that Morris was the ideal teller of this tale. [19] Latin American Music Review cited its "journalistic, accessible style" and viewed it as an excellent companion text for other studies of Mexican-American popular music. [20]

The following year brought the release of Together Through Life: A Personal Journey with the Music of Bob Dylan (Rothco Press). In 2017, American Songwriter called Morris a gifted writer and the book "an enlightening exploration." [21] A few years later, another American Songwriter piece by the same columnist led off a series about "Favorite Bob Dylan Books" with an in-depth examination of Together Through Life that focused on the "informed passion" of Morris and his distinctive approach to the subject. [22]

Morris also made major contributions to the following histories:

The audiobook editions of the latter two works also featured the voices of the contributors.

In addition, Morris appeared on screen providing insights in two documentaries:

He was chosen to write the essay accompanying The Criterion Collection's edition of Border Radio , a film that also sprang from the L.A. indie scene and featured rockers in acting roles. [24]

Related Research Articles

<i>Love and Theft</i> (Bob Dylan album) 2001 album by Bob Dylan

"Love and Theft" is the 31st studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on September 11, 2001, by Columbia Records. It featured backing by his touring band of the time, with keyboardist Augie Meyers added for the sessions. It peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, and has been certified Gold by the RIAA. A limited edition release included two bonus tracks on a separate disc recorded in the early 1960s, and two years later, on September 16, 2003, this album was remixed into 5.1 surround sound and became one of 15 Dylan titles reissued and remastered for SACD playback.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">X (American band)</span> American punk rock band

X is an American punk rock band formed in Los Angeles. The original members are vocalist Exene Cervenka, vocalist-bassist John Doe, guitarist Billy Zoom and drummer D. J. Bonebrake. The band released seven studio albums from 1980 to 1993. After a period of inactivity during the mid-to-late 1990s, X reunited in the early 2000s and continues to tour as of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Lobos</span> American Chicano rock band

Los Lobos is an Mexican-American rock band from East Los Angeles, California. Their music is influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country, zydeco, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, and traditional music such as cumbia, boleros and norteños. The band rose to international stardom in 1987, when their version of Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba" peaked at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, and also topped the charts in the United Kingdom, and several other countries. Songs by Los Lobos have been recorded by Elvis Costello, Waylon Jennings, Frankie Yankovic, and Robert Plant. In 2015, they were nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2018, they were inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. They are also known for performing the theme song for Handy Manny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dickies</span> American punk rock band

The Dickies are an American punk rock band formed in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, in 1977. One of the longest tenured punk rock bands, they have been in continuous existence for over 40 years. They have consistently balanced catchy melodies, harmony vocals, and pop song structures, with a speedy punk guitar attack. This musical approach is paired with a humorous style and has been labelled "pop-punk" or "bubble-gum punk". The band have sometimes been referred to as "the clown princes of punk".

The Dils were an American punk rock band formed 1976 and active until 1980, originally from Carlsbad, California, and fronted by the brothers Chip Kinman and Tony Kinman. They appeared as the second act in the "battle of the bands" sequence in Cheech and Chong's film, Up In Smoke, where they can be heard before being seen performing "You're Not Blank".

Roots rock is a genre of rock music that looks back to rock's origins in folk, blues and country music. It is seen as responses to the perceived excesses of the dominant psychedelic and the developing progressive rock. Because roots music (Americana) is often used to mean folk and world musical forms, roots rock is sometimes used in a broad sense to describe any rock music that incorporates elements of this music. In the 1980s, roots rock enjoyed a revival in response to trends in punk rock, new wave, and heavy metal music.

Slash Records was an American record label originally specializing in local punk rock bands, active from 1978 to 2000. It was notable as one of the first and most successful independent record labels in alternative music, before its eventual acquisition by Warner Music Group.

Top Jimmy & The Rhythm Pigs were an American rock and R&B band that emerged from the Los Angeles punk/roots music scene of the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s. Music writer Chris Morris dubbed them "L.A. punk's house band." This scene also produced bands such as The Blasters, X, Los Lobos, The Gun Club, The Knitters, The Circle Jerks, and The Plugz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Long Ryders</span> American alternative country band

The Long Ryders are an American alternative country and Paisley Underground band, principally active between 1982 and 1987, who have periodically regrouped for brief reunions. In 2019 they released a new studio album – their first in 32 years – and played a series of tour dates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Flesh Eaters</span> American punk band

The Flesh Eaters are an American punk rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1977. They are the most prominent of the bands which have showcased the compositions and singing of their founder, punk poet Chris Desjardins, best known as Chris D. While Desjardins is the group's only continual member, the Flesh Eaters' lineup has drawn from some of the most famous bands of the L.A. punk scene, such as the Plugz, X, the Blasters, and Los Lobos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T Bone Burnett</span> American guitarist and producer

Joseph Henry "T Bone" Burnett III is an American record producer, guitarist and songwriter. He rose to fame as a guitarist in Bob Dylan's band during the 1970s. He has received multiple Grammy awards for his work in film music, including for O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), Cold Mountain (2004), Walk the Line (2005) and Crazy Heart (2010); and won another Grammy for producing the studio album Raising Sand (2007), in which he united the contemporary bluegrass of Alison Krauss with the blues rock of Robert Plant.

Samuel Julian Lay was an American drummer and vocalist who performed from the late 1950s as a blues and R&B musician alongside Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf, Paul Butterfield, and many others. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ariel Rechtshaid</span> American record producer

Ariel Rechtshaid is an American record producer, audio engineer, mixing engineer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter. His accolades include three Grammy Awards for music production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Kuehn</span> American songwriter

Gregory Russell Kuehn is an American composer, songwriter, musician and producer.

David Bason is a music manager and record executive. Working in A&R at RCA Records, Roadrunner Records, Decca Records, Century Media Records and Red Bull Records, he signed The Strokes, The Dresden Dolls, Amanda Palmer, New York Dolls, Matt Skiba, Blaqk Audio, Jesse Malin, Badflower and The Cult.

<i>Under the Big Black Sun</i> (book)

Under The Big Black Sun: A Personal History of L.A. Punk is a book by John Doe of the American punk rock band X and co-author Tom DeSavia. The book examines the evolution of Los Angeles punk rock between 1977-1982, covering the years between the emergence of punk as an underground phenomenon and ending as some of the musicians in the scene crossed over to mainstream success. The book featured guest chapters by Exene Cervenka ; along with Jane Wiedlin and Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's, Mike Watt of Minutemen, and Henry Rollins of Black Flag. Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong penned a foreword for the book.

John Bazz is an American bass guitarist known for his long service in The Blasters. Bazz's credits also include work with various other notable musicians, including Charlie Musselwhite, Marc Ford, Mike Eldred, Top Jimmy, Ryan Bingham, and Lynwood Slim.

Dianne Chai is an American bass player. She was one of the founders of the L.A. punk rock band The Alley Cats.

Carlos Guitarlos is an American guitarist. He first gained attention in Top Jimmy & The Rhythm Pigs. The Encyclopedia of Popular Music remarked of Guitarlos that his career in music "has taken in cult stardom in Los Angeles, alcoholism, homelessness, and an unexpected return to recording in the new millennium."

<i>Native Sons</i> (Los Lobos album) 2021 studio album by Los Lobos

Native Sons is an album by the American band Los Lobos, released in 2021. Except for one track, it is a covers album, dedicated to music from Los Angeles.

References

  1. ↑ Beaudoin, Jedd (April 25, 2016). "'Under the Big Black Sun' Tells of an L.A. Before the Kids From Orange County Arrived". PopMatters. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  2. 1 2 3 4 More Fun in the New World: The Unmaking and Legacy of L.A. Punk, John Doe and Tom DeSavia, Hachette Books, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 Make The Music Go Bang!: The Early L.A. Punk Scene, Don Snowden, ed., St. Martin's Griffin, 1997.
  4. ↑ Morris, Chris (October 16, 1980). "Uprising". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  5. ↑ Morris, Chris (July 9, 1981). "Echo and the Bunnymen: 'Boonymusic' Makes Its Mark". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  6. ↑ Hochman, Steve (September 4, 1988). "Music Connection--A House Divided". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2022-08-06.
  7. ↑ Snyder, Gabriel (December 7, 2006). "More layoffs at Hollywood Reporter". Variety. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  8. ↑ "Chris Morris, Hollywood Reporter's Music Editor, Out And 10 Staffers Axed". Celebrity Access. December 7, 2006. Retrieved 2022-08-06.
  9. ↑ "Chris Morris: Trunkworthy". Trunkworthy. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  10. ↑ Cromelin, Richard (December 18, 2005). "In the Mix". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2022-08-06.
  11. ↑ "Cleveland Confidential". GrammyMuseum.org. April 14, 2011. Retrieved 2022-08-06.
  12. ↑ "Chris Morris Archive". Redef.com. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  13. ↑ Niesel, Jeff (March 16, 2022). "Circle Jerks to Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Wild in the Streets at Red Flag". Riverfront Times. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  14. ↑ My Damage, Keith Morris, Hachette Books, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Howlin' Wolf". Orlando Sentinel. January 10, 1992. Retrieved 2022-01-10.
  16. ↑ "Howlin' Wolf: The Chess Box (MCA/Chess 1991)". The Blues Foundation. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Grammys". Billboard. December 18, 2004. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  18. ↑ Wolgamott, L. Kent (October 15, 2015). "Rock 'n' Read: 'Los Lobos: Dream in Blue'". Lincoln Journal-Star. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  19. ↑ Sigman, Michael (September 9, 2016). "Chris Morris Writes the Book on a Great American Band". Record Collector News. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  20. ↑ Parme, Kevin. "Los Lobos: Dream in Blue by Chris Morris (review)". Latin American Music Review. Retrieved 2020-01-27.
  21. ↑ Zollo, Paul (March 17, 2017). "Book Review — Together Through Life: A Personal Journey with the Music of Bob Dylan by Chris Morris" . Retrieved 2020-01-27.[ permanent dead link ]
  22. ↑ Zollo, Paul (June 9, 2020). "Favorite Bob Dylan Books, Part One: 'Together Through Life' by Chris Morris" . Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  23. ↑ Under the Big Black Sun: A Personal History of L.A. Punk, John Doe and Tom DeSavia, Hachette Books, 2016.
  24. ↑ Morris, Chris (January 15, 2007). "Border Radio: Where Punk Lived". The Criterion Collection. Retrieved August 1, 2022.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.