79 years ago today, George W. Frayne IV was born in Boise, son of 2 artists headed to New York. He earned a B.F.A and M.F.A. from U of M, getting tangled up in some frat bands that evolved to become the Lost Planet Airmen. You may know him better as Commander Cody.
I celebrate this day every year, more so since his passing September before last. I likewise recognize anniversaries of the fateful day in April 1971 when I saw the band for the first time (1). How does one celebrate such occasions? Pretty easy: mind-altering substances, music, and food. What food? The Commander, with the help of sidekick Kirchen, put it in their Emmy-winning, Museum of Modern Art Video (2). While the Commander insists the song was about some greasy spoon in Oakland, he had to have had some inspiration from Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger in Ann Arbor (3). That’s where I went to get my 2 triple cheese side order of fries, and oh was it good. I ate ‘em to the accompaniment of the Ann Arbor Civic Band, who did not play any Cody numbers. Home now, I have my library to dive into. I think I’m going to restrict myself to vinyl. Too Much Fun awaits.
PS. Visit the Commander in his prime with the boys playing their hit (4).
References
1. Ike B. Two triple cheese…. WordPres 4/17/21. https://theviewfromharbal.com/2021/04/17/two-triple-cheese/
2. Two Triple Cheese Side Order of Fries – Commander Cody. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1Cvg5VCpT4
3. Krazy Jim’s Blimpyburger. https://www.blimpyburger.com/
4. Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. Hot Rod Lincoln. (from Ten for Two, premiered 4/1/72. Produced by John Lennon and Yoko Ono). Posted to YouTube by RW Ike 3/19/21. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8TeHA4UL_8
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