I love Henry Flynt. He’s an agitator, an innovator, an advocate for radical Left-Wing politics, and most importantly- a brilliant and funny mind who makes great music. If you’re a fan of the 1960’s avant-garde, and you’ve never seen Henry Flynt in New York, the web series that came out back in 2008, you’re in for a treat.
I’m a history nerd, and overwhelmed by the compulsion to archive. I’m plagued by how much of history slips from our grasp, with the loss of those who carry it. Our understanding of the past is painfully incomplete. There’s always a losing race against time, but in Flynt in New York we catch a break. The series is psycho-geographical journey with Flynt around the city. It finds him standing in front of buildings, and in doorways, telling tales and anecdotes of once upon-a-time happenings within. It’s wonderful, quirking, and beyond informative. Flynt reveals the kind of details that are fascinating, but no one thought worthy to tell. the very sort we need. Often because he was one of few people there, these are stories that no one else knows. The series is brilliant, fun, and an invaluable resource. I hope you enjoy.
7 Charles Ln, Rehearsal Space, 1978
Flynt recalls some rehearsals with CC Hennix, Arthur Russell, and an unnamed bass player in a jazz-rock fusion band, performing Flynt’s compositions.
119 Bank St., La Monte Young Apt., 1 of 3
Flynt recalls his first meeting with composer La Monte Young, and his subsequent critique of the downtown experimental community.
119 Bank St., La Monte Young Apt., 2 of 3
Flynt recalls his first meeting with composer La Monte Young, and his subsequent critique of the downtown experimental community.
119 Bank St., La Monte Young Apt., 3 of 3
Flynt recalls his first meeting with composer La Monte Young, and his subsequent critique of the downtown experimental community.
53 W 28th St., Flynt’s First NY residence
Flynt recalls his first room in New York.
239 W 23rd St., CPUSA Headquarters
Flynt recalls a visit to the offices of the Communist Party USA, for a benefit for WBAI radio.
102 W 14th St., Pran Nath Concert
Flynt recalls attending one of the first US performances by Pandit Pran Nath, who had been brought to the US by La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela.
Bleecker Playground
Flynt recalls his interest in science fiction at the end of the 1960s
6 Harrison St., site of Dream House in the 1980s
Flynt tells of La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela’s installation in the 1980s, when the couple were supported by the Dia Art Foundation.
246 Grand St., Terry Riley Loft
Flynt recalls his visits to the loft of composer Terry Riley and conversations with mathematician Dennis Johnson.
17 Leonard St., Nova’billy rehearsal space, 1 of 2
Flynt recalls meeting the other members of what would become Nova’billy in 1975, as well as his compositions and recordings for that band. Nova’billy’s performance history is also discussed.
17 Leonard St., Nova’billy rehearsal space, 2 of 2
Flynt recalls meeting the other members of what would become Nova’billy in 1975, as well as his compositions and recordings for that band. Nova’billy’s performance history is also discussed.
155 Bank St., Westbeth Artists Community
Flynt recalls the apartment of his Nova’billy guitarist, Jim McAllister, and a memorial reception for John Cage.
101 W 18th St., Cage/Cunningham Loft
Flynt recalls his one visit to the loft of John Cage and Merce Cunningham.
122 W 27th St., Brecht Forum
Flynt recalls his interactions with the Brecht Forum and the Monthly Review.
275 Church St., Young/Zazeela loft
Flynt discusses his friendship with La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela, and their projects over the years.
6th Ave. and 14th St., Living Theatre
Flynt recalls a benefit concert for La Monte Young’s _An Anthology…_, and discusses his first attempts to release his recordings on Atlantic and Time Records.
215 Park Row, Apt. of CC Hennix, 1 of 2
Flynt discusses his activities during the summer of 1978, when he and CC Hennix were rehearsing and recording together. Flynt also organized seminars on the crisis in physics, meetings that were held in this apartment.
215 Park Row, Apt. of CC Hennix, 2 of 2
Flynt discusses his activities during the summer of 1978, when he and CC Hennix were rehearsing and recording together. Flynt also organized seminars on the crisis in physics, meetings that were held in this apartment.
56 Ludlow St., Apt. of Tony Conrad
Flynt recalls visiting Tony Conrad at this apartment in the mid-1960s, where he also met filmmaker Jack Smith and recruited the pair for his anti-art protests of 1963. Flynt also discusses his interest in rock during this period, and his guitar lessons with Lou Reed in 1965.
20 East Broadway, Ben Morea Loft, 1 of 2
Flynt discusses his friendship with Ben Morea, leader of Black Mask and Up Against the Wall Motherfucker.
20 East Broadway, Ben Morea Loft, 2 of 2
Flynt discusses his friendship with Ben Morea, leader of Black Mask and Up Against the Wall Motherfucker.
46 W 21st St., WWP Headquarters, 1 of 2
Flynt recalls his years in the Marxist-Leninist Workers World Party, with which he was affiliated from 1963 to 1967.
46 W 21st St., WWP Headquarters, 2 of 2
Flynt recalls his years in the Marxist-Leninist Workers World Party, with which he was affiliated from 1963 to 1967.
112 Chambers St., Yoko Ono loft, 1 of 3
Flynt recalls his New York concert debut at the loft of Yoko Ono in February, 1961. The concert series in which he appeared was curated by La Monte Young.
112 Chambers St., Yoko Ono loft, 2 of 3
Flynt recalls his New York concert debut at the loft of Yoko Ono in February, 1961. The concert series in which he appeared was curated by La Monte Young.
112 Chambers St., Yoko Ono loft, 3 of 3
Flynt recalls his New York concert debut at the loft of Yoko Ono in February, 1961. The concert series in which he appeared was curated by La Monte Young.
105 Mulberry St., Loft of Joan Snyder, 1 of 2
Flynt recalls his 1969 visit to a meeting of Women Artists in Revolution.
105 Mulberry St., Loft of Joan Snyder, 2 of 2
Flynt recalls his 1969 visit to a meeting of Women Artists in Revolution.
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