Contort Yourself: RIP James Chance

June 19, 2024 8:58 AM

James Chance, no wave saxman who played with Lydia Lunch in an early version of Teenage Jesus & the Jerks before leading the Contortions and (as James White) the Blacks, passed away on June 18 after several years of declining health.
posted by gtrwolf (14 comments total)

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posted by HearHere at 9:01 AM on June 19

♪
posted by Smart Dalek at 9:05 AM on June 19

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posted by The_Auditor at 9:17 AM on June 19

I saw James twice, once with each name, upstairs in a rickety old building in DC. Both times I was concerned that the building might collapse. It was a raucous scene. I am sad.

"I prefer the ridiculous to the sublime." Me too, James.
posted by The Half Language Plant at 9:33 AM on June 19 [6 favorites]

I never saw him live. I'm sorry I missed the opportunity. His records however, played a large part in my life back in my punk rock days.
On wings, my friend, if there's an afterlife,
I hope for you, a good one.

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posted by evilDoug at 10:33 AM on June 19 [2 favorites]

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posted by djseafood at 12:12 PM on June 19

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posted by hap_hazard at 12:24 PM on June 19

Miriam Linna of Norton Records offered this anecdote in her remembrance of James:

I suggested he honk his horn at our Sun Ra Profetika book blast and he agreed, but he was "visiting the folks" back in Milwaukee. He then offered to DJ at an event, saying "I play mostly funk/soul from the 60s & early 70s as well as some blue eyed soul. I play live sax over many of the records." It was that last line that caused me to choke on my Yoo-Hoo. "I'd love to do one of your shows-- besides the sax I also dance a lot," he continued. He did call again from the midwest, but the sax/records/dancing thing never did end up happening at Nortonville. However, I conjure it up in my noggin now and then. He will be remembered well. God bless him.

An original and a showman - RIP.
posted by ryanshepard at 1:17 PM on June 19 [1 favorite]

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posted by drezdn at 3:39 PM on June 19

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posted by Jeff_Larson at 6:13 PM on June 19

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posted by threecheesetrees at 6:18 PM on June 19

I saw him back in '81? at a small NYC club with Bush Tetras on the bill, and it was skronkin' good funk. I then read about his precarious health/finances from his GoFundMe. I hate that his is just the latest case of a well-known creator whose work has entertained/amazed/delighted so many people and who needs crowdfunding just to enjoy basic health care in later life.

This is so redolent of that amazing '79-'81 NYC sound.

Thank you for the fantastic music.
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posted by the sobsister at 7:49 PM on June 19 [1 favorite]

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posted by adekllny at 7:24 AM on June 20

He could still shake it in his later years
posted by rageagainsttherobots at 7:34 AM on June 20 [1 favorite]