Resolutely lefty NYC protopunk original, Tuli Kupferberg of the Fugs died today. Tuli was a proudly outspoken, radical punk before they had a cool catch-all tag for such things. I briefly got to see him perform at a celebration of Abbie Hoffman (hosted by Billy Bragg) several years back, and he was as sharp-tongued, irreverent and witty as ever.
The Fugs certainly weren't for everyone. Musically rudimentary, the hirsute band played a low-frills approximation of folk-rock rife with deliberately provocative, button-pushing lyrics. Choice Fugs selections include "Kill for Peace," "Boobs a Lot," "Group Grope" and several others. Here's but a small taste. Pour one out for Tuli.
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