Did you know Gino (Geno) Foreman

Subject: Did you know GINO FOREMAN?
From:
Date: 03 Jun 98 - 12:54 AM

GINO FOREMAN was a real force (along with Rick von Schmitt and Rolf Kahn)in the Cambridge, Massfolk movement in the early 60's He used to occassionally climb up onstage at the Club 47 Mt Auburn and sing with Joan Baez. As vividly as if they had just finished the performance I can hear them singing.."When you hear them Cuckoos hollerin'..it's a sign of rain, buddy it's a sign of rain." I recently found a tape recording that I made and forgot about of Gino singing and playing banjo and blues guitar in my room (Quincy 328) at Harvard in about 1960. I understand that Gino died tragically of a drug overdose Not long after that. My questions are: 1) Does anyone know of other recordings by Gino? 2) Does Gino have living family to whom I could send these tapes?

Subject: RE: Did you know GINO FOREMAN?
From: Jaxon
Date: 05 Jun 98 - 08:43 AM

I think your best bet might be to contact Eric Von Schmidt up in Henniker, N.H.. He and Jim rooney researched and wrote "Baby Let Me Follow You Down", a history of folk in Boston and Cambridge. He would probably have the best idea where to start. Good luck.
Jack Murray

Subject: RE: Did you know GINO FOREMAN?
From: Marcia Stehr
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 09:09 PM

Gino (Geno) Foreman and I were married in 1965. We have a daughter, Haydee. And a grandson, Quinn, (Geno's middle name).

I'll share any other information you would like. A tape was mentioned and of course I'm always looking for tapes.

I don't know who sent the message.

Kind regards,

Marcia Stehr Foreman [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Did you know GINO FOREMAN?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 09:45 PM

Sometimes the Mudcat is amazing.

Subject: RE: Did you know GINO FOREMAN?
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Apr 02 - 09:50 PM

I agree Mac.........Took about 4 years, but what an amazing thing.

Santa Fe/Marcia......I have no idea who posted the above info or how to get in touch with them. The membership thing was a bit different back then so there were often posts with no names attached.

Please stick around and enjoy the 'cat.....Perhaps someone will know who that was.......

Spaw

Subject: RE: Did you know GINO FOREMAN?
From: Marcia Stehr
Date: 21 Apr 02 - 10:43 AM

Thanks!

It is amazing!

Keep it going!

Marcia in Santa Fe

Subject: RE: Blues for GINO FOREMAN?
From: Marcia Stehr
Date: 26 Apr 02 - 11:03 AM

Blues for Gino from Davey Graham's The Complete Guitarist is a beautiful remembrance of Geno Foreman.

Perhaps some of you have heard it?

For many years, our daughter, Haydee Mitchell, has hosted a wonderful radio show on WERU in Maine called Planet Dance.

Marcia

Subject: RE: Did you know GINO FOREMAN?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 03:11 PM

Gino was a very close friend of mine in New York, starting in the very early 60s. We met at Art D'Lugoff's Village Gate which was perhaps the earliest venue in New York/
Greenwich Village for jazz, and the upcomiing musicial renaissance of the 60s. I knew him and his parents well and lived with them at their home on Riverside Drive. His death was a tremendous shock to me, when his folks  Clark and Mairi wrote me; apparently he died of a drug [heroin?] overdose in London. I was living in Hawai'i at the time and had lost touch with Gino after he moved to Europe and learned about hi death in 1966. If remember, Gino had 'discovered' Hamza e-Din in Italy? Not sure of the details. Gino was also Bob Dylan's 'body guard' for a period of time, in the early 60's, and close with
Joannie Baez, as well, which is how he came to side with her on "Cuckoos.' Gino was also good friends with 'Chip' Monck, who was the Stones' lighting genius for some time; and with Bruce Langhorne.
One of Gino's sister lived in Germany for many years; and another sister, Shelagh, in Cambridge, MA I don't know if they are still alive. His dad, Clark died in 1977; and his mother, Mairi, a few years ago, in the late 90s, at about age 98. Both had moved to Ajuntas, Puerto Rico, where I visted them.

Bob Freedman

I'd like to see somneone writer a biography of Gino. He was a remarkable musician and an extraordinary person - who died before he got a chance to potentialize his musicianship

Subject: RE: Did you know GINO FOREMAN?
From: GUEST, Serge Tcherepnine
Date: 24 Nov 05 - 12:08 PM

I spent quite a few white nights roaming the streets in Paris with Geno who sometimes stayed with me in my garret off the rue Furstemberg, hungry as hell at 5 am, off to grab pastry off the shelves of the one boulangerie open all night near the Place de l'Odeon. I got to meet Geno thanks to Mimi Baez who was living in Paris with her parents and a number of friends from the Club 47 folk scene in Cambridge, Paul Richard and Clay Jackson. The Baez loved Geno (Joan devotes a very warm and touching chapter to Geno in her biography, by the way). But they thought him a bit too wild for 15 year old Mimi. So I never saw them together. I led a double life, visiting the Baez, taking Mimi with Mom as chaperone to concerts; once all together with Joan to see Marpessa Dawn in a new film "Orfeo Negro". But with Geno off hours, doing a lot of hasch and pot (at the time we could walk in front of a french policeman smoking an algerian joint big as a cigar without a worry!)

I had an intense social life with Geno and his many friends, centered around the "Chameleon" bar, and those staying at Mme Rachou's hotel rue Git le Coeur, later called the "beat hotel". It turns out Wm. Burroughs and Bryon Gysin were cutting up texts on the floor of their rooms at the hotel, which led to Burrough's novel, The Naked Lunch. We listened to a great dela of the Blues and jazz and indian music. Geno did a lot of dealing. One day he shows me a switchblade knife he had just bought, leaning towards me with a knowing look on his face, with his bad teeth showing through his scraggly beard, saying "I got to prepare for my trip to Tangiers!" There was bravado but also real fear in his voice. Needless to say, this spun me around. I realized he was playing in a league he probably inherited from street days in New York, and it worried me.. But he returned, jovial, happy, confident, enthusiastic, with ample stocks of green moroccan hash.

Then we parted ways. I returned to my junior year at Harvard. He disappeared from my view except for occasional news about his whereabouts from friends. I wished I had known of his friendship with Chip Monk (since later in '68-'69 I did work in multimedia, Pablo Lights, the Electric Circus and I would have joyfully celebrated our mutual friend). I'm terrifically glad to come across this web site. Geno is a friend whose memory naturally draws me to want to celebrate his passage on earth. His enthusiasm entered my blood never to leave since, now for 45 years ! Let's party !


Serge Tcherepnine

Subject: RE: Did you know GINO FOREMAN?
From: Tannywheeler
Date: 24 Nov 05 - 09:12 PM

Is anyone here in touch with Marcia Stehr, who was married to GF for a time? I have PMed her, but the post was not current and might not have gotten to her, or she may not be aware to keep checking for something to come through from so old a thread. I may have met GF in the mid 1950s in NYC. His dad was an acquaintance/friend of my dad's, Mr. Foreman and his son came to parties at my dad's apartment on more that one occasion. Hoping to add my knowledge to others, if she wants it.                Tw

Subject: RE: Did you know GINO FOREMAN?
From: GUEST,Marcia Stehr
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 11:27 AM

Hello Tammy! This is great! Thank you for your message. I have not checked this site for a couple of years and am so pleased to find some wonderful messages. Please contact me at: [e-mail]
I look forward to hearing from you.

Subject: RE: Did you know GINO FOREMAN?
From: Marci Stehr (deleted)
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 12:11 PM

Hi Serge! Thank you for the sweet memories! I never met you but heard about you from Geno. I love Geno stories. A couple of years ago, Hamza el Din came to Santa Fe for a concert and we met again after about 20 years. We had a wonderful time remembering Geno and listening to some tapes I have of Hamza and Geno singing and playing together.
Yes, Bob, Geno did "discover" Hamza in Rome. It was an awesome meeting and a story I will tell at another time.
Hamza and I keep in touch now and an amazing thing happened last year. I got an e-mail from Hamza which he had received through his web site. It was from an old friend (Luke Russell) who had been looking for me. We had known him in Italy in 1965-66. One night as he and his wife were leaving Rome for Greece on their motorcycle Geno ran into them. It was winter and Geno saw that Luke did not have a very warm coat for that time of year.

Here is how Luke wrote it to me:"Gino put his hand on my shoulder, said "Man,-he always called me 'Man'-Man this [meaning the coat] isn't going to work for you." And he took off his thick black leather coat, said "Here, man, take this. You need it." When I protested he went on, "You can give it back to me when we meet in London." So I gratefully accepted it, giving him my Woolrich coat in exchange. I wore his heavy leather coat clear to Brindisi and then to Greece and then north to England.
When I heard he'd died I was too shocked to think straight. Otherwise I would have offered you then what I hope you will accept now since I still have it and have been keeping it for you or Haydee ever since. So I'll send it along too if that's ok. Please verify the address. It is a bit weather and travel worn but that's the way Gino would have wanted to see it I think."

The coat arrived the day before Thanksgiving last year (2004). Inside was a note from Luke:"Dear Marci, Pleae accpet this jacket. I know you are aware what it is , whose it was. How I happen to have it after all these years, you ask? Well it represents one of the grandest gifts and strongest affirmations I ever received. Love, Luke

Happy Holidays to all, Love, Marci/Marcia

Subject: RE: Did you know GINO FOREMAN?
From: Marci Stehr (deleted)
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 02:11 PM

PLEASE HELP ME SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT!!

An important clarification regarding Geno Foreman's death. The cause of death as stated in the Coroner's Report: Septicemia, caused by perforation of the colon resulting from an obstruction.

IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH DRUGS.

The doctor who examined Geno in the West London Hospital and sent him home with me cryed at the inquest. He was young and had made a terrible mistake.

Bob Freeman: You were a dear friend to Geno. You were as important to him as he was to you. I hope you read this message!

Subject: RE: Did you know GINO FOREMAN?
From: GUEST,No, but I'm his daughter
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 12:02 PM

Thanks to you all. I too love Geno stories!
Haydee

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Feb 08 - 12:05 AM

I'm just some schmuck in New Mexico who always loved "Baby Let me Follow You Down." Reading this page has filled my eyes with tears.

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: GUEST,Mary Ann Koontz
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 01:00 PM

I met Gino only once but saw him several times. The first times were in Cambridge, where I was at Harvard, 1956 to 1960. Gino would come into Hayes-Bickford's (the Bick; open all night, I think) with his friends, and someone told me who he was. You had to look up when he came in.

The next time was in Paris in 1961. My friend had Massachusetts musician friends who told her to look up Gino in Paris. We paid our visit--I remember a dark room with three or four people. Gino gave something to my friend, and it was lucky that I didn't have it too, because I had to lead her by the hand, giggling, back to our hotel at 35 rue des Ecoles, where we lived in maid's quarters on the top floor.

Later in 1963, back in New York, I lived at 250 Riverside Drive at 97th Street, the building where the Foremans lived. My roommate and I became friends with Hamza (and his friend Sandy Bull). We saw Hamza quite a lot, but then lost touch. I reconnected briefly in NY in the early 80s. My former roommate and I were very sad to hear that he died. We don't know much about his later years.

Earlier, Hamza told me that Gino died when a box of books fell on him while he was walking on the sidewalk, I think he said in Paris. But, evidently, that's not true.
Best wishes,
Mary Ann

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: flame schon
Date: 10 Mar 08 - 02:54 PM

If this post appears in triplicate , sorry. I've tried to post twice before with no success.
Yes. Geno's singing Cocaine, and Cuckoos Calling and possibly something else is in the film DOPE which I (my name was then Diane Rochlin) and Sheldon Rochlin made in London in 66-67, finished editing in NJ by '68. Geno was already dead by then and the story of his death told by an unseen narrator named Damion in explicit detail and at great length,and I believe with accuracy, forms the centerpiece as it were, of this film. There are still photos of him there throughout the telling of the story of his death. And his presence in the film, although only as a ghost as it were, is palpable. He was a psychic and musical mentor to Casey Diess (I'm not spelling his last name right) who is in Dope, and who, following Geno, got into heroin, and after the filming was over went to live in Italy with his girlfriend, stepped outside his door with an axe in his hand, was struck by lightning and then died. (Casey, that is).
Anyway, yes, although Geno was already dead when we made the film I had met him a few times before...I was in Cambridge MA 58-60 and remember Club 47, may have met him at a party perhaps, definitely met him in Rome in a cafe bar in Trastevere one evening and met him a couple of times maybe '65 in Positano when we (Sheldon and I) were there filming the movie Vali.
Anyway, Dope is now on DVD and will be available for download through its own website shortly. (maybe a few weeks). It features Geno singing at least 2 songs. It is as "underground" as it gets. Email me for details.

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: flame schon
Date: 10 Mar 08 - 03:03 PM

and I forgot to mention, there will be a screening of "DOPE" at The Film Center in Santa Fe NM on St Michael's Drive, on Friday April 11 at 8:15 PM.
The last screening of this film that I know of was at The First Provincetown Film Festival in '99 where I presented/introduced it.

So for those of you here in Santa Fe, this is an opportunity to see the movie which features Geno's music as well as the "story" of his death told by Damion.

Flame

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: open mike
Date: 10 Mar 08 - 08:30 PM

Marcia/ Marci Stehr was in Santa Fe
and the latest post mentions santa fe,
and an earlier post is from new Mexico...
is this a co-indcidence?
oh, and the radio station http://www.weru.org/
page has a great image of Utah Phillips

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: flame schon
Date: 11 Mar 08 - 01:18 AM

open mike...you know, New Mexico is "The Land of Enchantment"...so what is co-incidence?
(if not "co-incidence" then what? "conspiracy?")
Flame

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: flame schon
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 03:09 PM

Yes. Geno's singing and playing several songs (at least 3) can be heard and photos of him as well can all be experienced by downloading the movie DOPE at www.dopethemovie.net
The website is up and I think the download feature will be there any day now.
My name now is Flame Schon, but it was Diane Rochlin at the time of this movie, shot in London in early '67. Geno had already died by then. Marci Stehr Foreman his widow gave us the music which is used throughout the film and photos of Geno as well which accompany an unseen narrator named Damion who tells the "story" of Geno's death. Featured in the film is Casey Diess who had been close to Geno, and who, after the filming was completed, went to Italy where he was struck by lightning and died. Casey has been immortalized apparently by a song from longago called "The Ballad of Casey Deiss' by Shawn Phillips. I believe that Shawn Phillips who calls Casey "brother" in that song, would really like to see the film about which I imagine he's never heard. So, if anyone knows how to contact Shawn please let me know or else direct him to the website for the film. www.dopethemovie.net
Thank you
Flame Schon
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: bobad
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 03:18 PM

There are contact links at his website: http://www.shawnphillips.com/

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: flame schon
Date: 30 Mar 08 - 03:52 PM

Thank you bobad.
I went to Shawn Phillips website and contacted him through his manager who also notified Shawn Phillips fans of the existence on the web of the movie Dope featuring Casey Deiss.
I believe that the website is now fully operational and there is a trailer there (with a bit of Geno singing) and the possibility of buying a full length version of the movie as streaming video and also the possibility of buying a DVD. I think that there are actually 3 songs by Geno, the two mentioned earlier and one which begins " Some say I take the needle, some say I snort cocaine, "..etc
Anyway, the website is http//:www.dopethemovie.net

Flame Schon
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: flame schon
Date: 03 Apr 08 - 11:08 AM

dopethemovie.net is entirely a different movie from dopethemovie.org which appears to be a skateboard movie. Our (Sheldon Rochlin and myself -Flame Schon-formerly Diane Rochlin) movie DOPE is from 1967-68. I only discovered another movie DOPE with a similar URL a couple of days ago.
This may create confusion and I'm not sure what to do about this.
By the way, the trailer is now shorter and features Geno singing...and Casey Deiss as well.
Flame Schon (Diane Rochlin)
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: GUEST,Haydée Foreman (Geno's Daughter)
Date: 07 Apr 08 - 07:05 AM

Thank you, Flame, for making this movie. I saw it years ago with my mother but will really enjoy seeing and hearing my father sing again. I remember that it was disturbing, though, to hear the graphic details of his death. I know them but to hear them is different. At the time of his death, I was in an adjoining room of a small appartment in London but only 18 months old. Seeing footage of heroin use is still very chilling to me.

Thanks again, Haydée

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: flame schon
Date: 08 Apr 08 - 01:28 AM

Haydee, you're welcome and delighted to hear from you. The past is often difficult. It can never be changed but it can be regarded differently. Time is a solvent. To that end, I will quote from 2 reviews of Dope from long ago:
"Their (the Rochlins ) refusal to interpret their subjects has made the film an unusually valuable testament to the spirit of its time and place.....Ultimately, the best analogy for the Rochlin's achievement is the old blues song which runs through it like a refrain: "Hey, baby, won't you come here quick/ This old cocaine's making me sick/ Cocaine all around my brain"
Dope shares the same tone of subdued pain and troubled acquiescence; and it is perhaps this, above all, which makes the film so distinctive"--Tony Rayns, London, Monthly Film Bulletin-June 1971
and this---
"When it premiered at the Locarno Festival in 1968, DOPE was praised by Variety's Gene Moskowitz as ' not just another look at the so-called drug, or hippie scene. A rugged documentary with revealing insights into the sad, touching, downbeat, sometimes tender drug scene'.
'One's perception of DOPE is even more complex today, when the immediacy and poignancy of its style mingle with other perspectives provided by the distance of seven years' according to John Hanhardt, Head of the Film Department. ' Seeing DOPE remains a harrowing experience while at the same time one feels a curious nostalgia, both for times past and for lives lost' . The edges between immediate experience and remote history begin to blur, we see at once 'how it is' and 'how it was'. Years from now DOPE will probably survive as an historical document of a time long ago. If so, it will surely inform and shape how anyone who has seen it thinks about the time and place it describes."
--Whitney Museum of American Art, press release for New American Filmmakers Series 1975

So, Haydee, Geno, your father has passed into myth and legend and like all heroes he has a fatal flaw perhaps...but the story of his death and even more so, his strong true wonderful music anchors the film and the film DOPE is, although really idiosyncratic, a true enough document of that time and that place.

The scenes of shooting up do carry a certain frisson for most people perhaps but they punctuate the film and carry a certain metaphorical meaning as well. It's hard for me to imagine the film without them. And dealing with a 40 year old past for me has had its perils as well. The past needs to be examined but also put gently away.

If you saw it long ago, you may want to see it on DVD which I could send to you..if you give me your address. For all other readers, Dope is available both as streaming video and DVD on the site www.dopethemovie.net and there is a trailer there as well.

Take care. Flame ([e-mail]

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: Marcia Stehr
Date: 29 May 08 - 12:38 PM

Today Geno would have been 67 years old.

He was born Hugh Quin Foreman on May 29, 1941 in Washington D.C. and died on Nov. 15, 1966 in London, England. His parents were Mairi and Clark Foreman.

Thank you, Flame for bringing the movie DOPE back into the present. It is a beautiful "ART" film. The photography is gorgeous and the editing creative, tight and in sync with the awesome sound track.
Even with its beauty it is very difficult for me to watch and more so on the big screen where the impact is intense. It takes me right back to that time, those four days that Geno was dying at home.

I hope that some of you will listen to the trailer at www.dopethemovie.net and see if you recognize the song he is singing and playing which Flame refers to as "Some Call Me a Junkie". On the original tape I wrote "Drug Song". So my question is: is it traditional or original? I can't imagine anyone but Geno singing it.

Thanks so much for all of your interest.
Marcia

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: GUEST,harriet jerusha korim
Date: 07 Aug 08 - 12:17 AM

dear Marcia,

In late summer '63 (?) I was 17, on the way back from HUAC hearings on Cuba with Peter Lenz, we stopped at Geno's parents' apartment (some of us continued to Boston). I can't remember now if Geno was in the incredibly crowded VW bug with us, but I remember him at RIverside Drive, playing Monk's Misterioso on phonograph. Maybe it was the first time I heard Monk, and definitely the first time I had ever gazed on that night-time view of the city; still have a strong memory of the room, the music and listening to Geno tell stories about freezing, snowy rooftops downtown... the power of his story-telling, and his energy.

coincidentally, i was close friend of Liza Stelle who worked with Mystic Fire Video and through her, knew Sheldon Rochlin and Maxine Harris.

wonder if Peter Lenz (who used to run the Golden Vanity?) has any old tapes of Geno, or memories...

how did you meet?

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: Marcia Stehr
Date: 09 Aug 08 - 12:25 PM

Dear Harriet,

Thank you for your message!

I am currently going through all of the old correspondence, writings, photos, drawings and other materials from those days. There is an AP photo of Geno being carried out of the HUAC hearing by the DC police. It is dated Sept. 3, 1964. Geno had gone to the rescue of Morton Slater who was being attacked by a member of George Lincoln Rockwell's American Nazi Party. As I recall we rode on a large bus with other members of the group there and back. I remember that gathering at the Foreman's when we returned. You were there! (I also have an article with photo published in the "Globe and Mail", a Toronto newspaper, about the trip and attack.)

I remember Peter Lenz on the trip. Are you still in touch with him? I have a lot of photos from the trip.

Recently, I have read two books written by people who were on that trip in 1964: "A Freewheelin' Time", Suze Rotolo and "In the House of My Fears", Joel Agee. They both write about the trip to Cuba and Geno as well.
Amazon.com lists 10 books with references to Geno Foreman and two with references to Gino Foreman.

How well I remember the first time I saw Geno. I was working at Gerde's Folk City putting myself through Cooper Union's Fine Arts program. It was the fall of 1963. He had just returned from Europe and was sitting with Bob and Betsy Siggins from Cambridge. My heart almost stopped because I somehow I KNEW him. I knew right then that he would be a big part of my life. We became close on the trip to Cuba the next summer. When we returned we started trying to get pregnant and were so happy in Jan. to discover that we were successful. What timing! Our baby was due on July 26! Haydee Santamaria Foreman was born on July 27, 1965 in Rome.

Geno and I were married on March 1, 1965 and left suddenly for Europe on April 1. My mother saved all of my letters to her during the time we were in Europe. How wonderful to have that almost daily record of our adventures.

Geno's writings are so powerful. I have realized that I may be the only one who will make sure they are not forgotten.

Your connection to Mystic Fire is so interesting. You know that Diane (now Flame) lives here in Santa Fe. Have you looked at the film DOPE made by the Rochlins? There are two trailers with Geno singing on YouTube.

I hope that these old tapes I have are still good.

Peace,
Marcia

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: flame schon
Date: 14 Aug 08 - 06:09 PM

Hello Harriett
I see that you are (were) in Provincetown. Then perhaps you even know Caroline Thomson, the artist who lives there, who is the principal player in the movie DOPE-shot in London in '67- made by me (under my previous name Diane Rochlin) and Sheldon Rochlin. If you go to its website you can either watch streaming video or purchase a DVD of DOPE which features Geno singing...(since you were wondering about old tapes of Geno and memories -yes there are "memories" and photos in the movie as well). The site is www.dopethemovie.net

Best wishes
Flame Schon

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: Marcia Stehr
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 12:36 PM

I found the words to the song that Geno sings on the trailers for the movie DOPE. It is called "Junky Blues". The words were written in Rome around 1962.

Here is a Set List Geno wrote at that time. The spelling is Geno's.The remarks at the end are his.

Rukus- C
12 Gates- G
On This Mountain- E
Shack Dance- Ain't that Lovin- Boss Man
Rosie- E Grizz- A
Blues- GA. Ala.- E
Houston Blues- G
Only Baby (No one will)- E
Fast St. Louis- C
Track Line- GE
O Mayreh- E
Rise Up Shepard- E6
Junky Blues- A

"Why do Mothuhfokuhs come up and ast me do I play home onna range and Clementine in Italy? Or anywhere for that matter?"

Peace,
Marcia

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: Marcia Stehr
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 01:15 PM

It was 10 years ago that an unknown person started this thread.

I need to correct one song title on the set list above. It is EAST St. Louis Blues.

I am working on a book about Geno. I have so much material that it will take up a whole book. There are over 200 photos. If any of you old friends of his would like to contribute stories or any other materials you might have, all are welcome.

More soon,
Peace,
Marcia

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: Marcia Stehr
Date: 22 Nov 08 - 12:43 PM

"Baby Let Me Follow You Down", The illustrated story of the Cambridge folk years by Eric von Schmidt and Jim Rooney, University of Massachusetts Press. 2d ed.,1994. 320 pages.

Out of print for all these years, it is available at Amazon.com and other internet sites.

This was a labor of love. The first edition was published in 1979. Memories were fresh and the stories are full of excitement and energy. It is a vibrant picture of the people, places and time. It follows some of the group to New York and Europe. Most of the people in the book knew Geno.

There are four photos of Geno.

One is of Geno, Marci and baby Haydee taken the summer of 1966 at Villa Adriana, Italy. The caption underneath lists the date of Geno's death as 1965. It was 1966.

A full page photo by Charlie Frizzell is a close-up of Geno playing on stage. I believe he is with Rev. Gary Davis. He was very young because he does not have the beard.

Another full-page photo is by John Cooke. I believe he told me it was taken backstage at a Dylan concert.

The fourth is by Stephen Fenerjian. It is a recording session with von Schmidt and others. Geno's shoulder can be seen.

I've counted a total of 21 pages which have a reference to Geno.

There are many wonderful stories about him by:

Clay Jackson
Bob Neuwirth
Betsy Siggins
John Nagy
Peter Rowan
Eric von Schmidt

There is a delightful account by Bob Neuwirth about Geno's audition to the State Conservatory of Music in Berlin. Bob was there with him.
Geno broke all of the rules and still became an honored entrant. He never enrolled.

Clay Jackson recalled that in Paris in 1962:

"He'd gotten very saint-like and very quiet, and he moved as little as possible. He smoked a lot of grass and occasionally he'd been known to snort a little heroin but he refused to take the needle. Sometimes I'd wake up about 10:30 or 11:00 in the morning and I'd realize I'd already been listening to music for an hour. He'd be sitting there playing Thelonius Monk on the guitar, playing something like "Blue Monk", note by note perfect; very quiet but perfect. He'd always been very undisciplined on guitar, but toward the end he was playing the finest jazz, country, old time blues-just the finest stuff you ever heard. He never had much of a voice, but he finally got what little voice he had to where it started getting really funky and good-gravelly and rough and just great."

Peace,
Marcia

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: GUEST,BOB FOREMAN [III]
Date: 25 Nov 08 - 12:31 AM

I am Geno's first cousin once removed. [e-mail].

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: GUEST,BOB FOREMAN
Date: 25 Nov 08 - 01:31 AM

It's spelled "G-E-N-O."

There seem to be some crucial missing pieces. According to Mairi, "The Mighty Quinn" was written (but not recorded by) Dylan: rather by Manfred Mann. She said it was about Geno. My assumption, from the lyric, was that Geno was Dylan's dealer, not "bodyguard."

Geno's FBI file is heavily "redacted" as THEY say, and it made me wonder if ole J Edgar Hoover wasn't directly involved [in not getting Geno medical help]. Hoover, who strangely is a relation on my maternal side, hated Clark, my great uncle on the paternal side. Clark's voluminous FBI file shows that Hoover could never "get anything" on Clark, for Clark was literally "clean as a whistle."

So it seemed to me that Hoover, knowing that Geno was his Dad's Achilles heel, went in for the kill. Incredibly, at least according to Shelagh, Geno's sister, he was never arrested! THE GOOD OLE DAYS.

Edith Tiger, Clarks assistant (now deceased) told me in NYC that Geno's death "took the wind" out for Clark. Coupled with 2 heart attacks, he resigned from the ECLC and self-exiled to PR.

Geno had a friend who worked for ECLC, Philip Luce, I am unsure who came first, that is, did Clark introduce Luce to Geno or v/v, (and the FBI won't tell me) but Tiger was convinced Luce was an agent or "narc" as Clark would say. SOMEONE was filling in the FBI regarding Geno's psychiatric reports ["prognosis: negative"], and I guess it was his "good friend" Luce. Luce is dead, but seems to have been tied in to Lee Harvey Oswald.

YEAH IT'S very complicated.

Tiger told me that Geno, raised without conventional supervision, for Clark had taught for A.S. Neill in Germany, later of SUMMERHILL in England, that as a child desired his named to be changed, for, he thought, "HUGH" sounded too much like "HEY, YOU." So he invented "Geno." Geno was later tossed out of SUMMERHILL, as from every other school he ever was forced to attend. He never graduated hi skool.

In one of the above mentioned books, the wonderful quote is, "that at the age of 16, Geno single-handedly introduced marijuana to Cambridge, Mass."

What is also omitted in all of the above is the antipathy between Geno and his Dad, Clark. They seemed to be irreconcilable. Clark gave an annual THOMAS PAINE award each December for he who best represented CIVIL LIBERTIES, and in 1963, Clark, after much debate internal, decided to give the award to Dylan. Tiger felt this was, on the one hand, a way to broaden the support base of the ECLC (mainly middle aged Jews), and on the other to extend an olive branch to his son. Dylan, drunk and stoned, muddled his way thru his acceptance speech, and then said he "kind of understood where Lee Oswald was coming from" or the like--THIS THREE WEEKS AFTER THE ASSASINATION! THE ROOM WAS STUNNED!!!!

Dylan IS THE VILLAIN (hey it rhymes) in this piece, for he apparently had his ACTUAL bodyguards rebuke Geno, a junkie, perhaps saying GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE when their paths crossed on Dylan's first Europe tour. Similarly, Dylan, via Albert Grossman, rebuked Clark, for he wrote an apology to Clark the day after that disastrous non-fund-raiser and agreed to do a make-good benefit concert on ECLC's behalf.

The date was set, it was to be at BAM, but at the last minute he reneged. Hey, he had MONEY NOW-- SO WHO NEEDS THE FOREMANS?

A lot of the above is assumption based on my research, and I'd enjoy clarification on any and all points.

Bob.

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino Foreman
From: Marcia Stehr
Date: 25 Nov 08 - 09:59 AM

Welcome Bob Foreman!

Thank you for your interest in Geno.

I am putting together a book about Geno and I am planning to address the issues you bring up in your post.

Clark wrote at length about Geno as a child and they wrote a "book" together the summer of 1959 called "Oedipus and the Bomb" (originally titled "Beatnik Summer").

Geno wrote about his relationship with both of his parents starting when he was very young. This will come out in the book.

Philip Abbott Luce was setting up Geno for a FBI sting which is why we had to leave the US suddenly. It is an interesting story- how we got the word about the bust and what took place afterward.

The Foremans gave me all of Geno's personal belongings. I have letters and keepsakes from the very beginning. The letters are very revealing.
Then there are all of Geno's writings. Very revealing-and beautiful.

Peace,
Marcia

Subject: RE: Disography- Geno Foreman
From: Marcia Stehr
Date: 25 Nov 08 - 10:23 AM

Geno Foreman   Discography
(May 29, 1941- Nov. 15, 1966)

American Folk Songs
78 rpm. Recorded Nov. 22, 1957
Dobell�s Jazz Record Shop, 77, Charing Cross Road
London, W.C. 2, England
First Published 1958
Recording and Supervision: John R. T. Davies

Vocals: Shirley Bland
Guitar: Jim McGregor
Banjo: Geno Foreman

Side One:
Go Tell Aunt Rhodie

Geno�s Breakdown (Foreman)

Cripple Creek

Side Two:
Foggy Mountain Top (Carter)

Sister Phoebe

-------------------------------------

Fire at Club 47
Peter Stanley and the Cambridge Folk Music Years
Talkeetna Records 1999
Recorded at the Club 47, Cambridge, MA in 1960.

Track 11
All the Good Times Are Past and Gone
Geno Foreman, Bob Siggins and Joan Baez

Liner notes:
�Everyone remembers their first meeting with Geno Foreman, who �entered a room with the delicacy of a bazooka shell� according to Eric von Schmidt, who later called him �a one-man army at war with the establishment, with authority, with squares and with his own tendencies to self-destruct.�

The photo of Geno, by Charlie Frizzell is the one taken from the book, �Baby Let Me Follow You Down�.
The web site is: www.talkeetna.com. The CD can be ordered from the web site and it can be listened to before purchasing. The photo of Geno is on the web site as well.

-------------------------------------------


Joan Baez/5
Vanguard Records 1964
Produced by Maynard Soloman

Track 3
It Ain�t Me Babe (Bob Dylan)
Geno Foreman- Guitar
This album does not credit Geno with playing guitar.
The same track was released on Baez Sings Dylan Vanguard 1998
Those liner notes state that Geno played guitar as did Joan.

Track 8
When You Hear Them Cuckoos Hollerin�
Accompaniment by Gino (Geno) Foreman, guitar
Traditional

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino (Geno) Foreman
From: GUEST,Flame Schon
Date: 05 Jan 09 - 02:29 PM

There is an excellent review of Dope the movie and interview with me by Ian O'Sullivan in this months Shindig, a music magazine published in the UK, and available worldwide. Geno, his music and connections to others on that scene at the time, is mentioned in the article. You can check out Shindig Magazine on the web, although the article itself is available only in print.
"The rarely screened documentary Dope, by husband and wife directorial team Sheldon and Diane Rochlin .... provides what is possibly the closest filmic insight to what life in London in 1967 was like for those on the inner circle of the counter-culture."..Shindig'09

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino (Geno) Foreman
From: GUEST,Canary Islands
Date: 10 Mar 09 - 07:23 PM

Hi there!

All these messages about Geno are really great, because precisely I've just read "Baby let me follow you down" these days. I got the book some years ago, and I'd only read some parts.. Until that I decided recently to read it entirely.

It's a fabolous text, really wonderful...
It seems incredible all the figures pass by Cambridge and Boston folk-blues scenes. And with that amount of figures, among which I personally mostly adore Richie & Mimi Fariña, Geno looks like one of the more interesting people.

I'd love to listen to some he'd record.
How might I get it?

About the dope dvd, is still available? i've just taken a look on amazon and i've not seen anything about it.

Toni Ruiz
Canary Islands.

ps. I'm writing in Spanish a book -to be released sometime next year- on the folk-blues scenes at the 60's in USA and be sure I'll write about Geno!

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino (Geno) Foreman
From: GUEST,Flame Schon
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 01:32 PM

To Toni Ruiz

The DVD of the movie Dope is available at http://www.dopethemovie.net
(that is: dopethemovie dot net in case URLs get automatically deleted on this site.)

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino (Geno) Foreman
From: Marcia Stehr
Date: 12 Mar 09 - 04:14 PM

You can e-mail me for more information about Geno:

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino (Geno) Foreman
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jun 09 - 02:22 PM

Haydee, I hope tjis message reaches you. I am betsy siggins and knew both your mom and dad. Before they were married my husband Bob Siggins and I drove from Rome one bitter Christmas, and spent 10 days in an attic apartment in West Berlin. The w all would go up the next summer, but that Christmas was clod and bleak, much music, many naughty trips into east Berlin at Checkpoint Charlie, where Geno would, on purpose, forget one critical documnet to get us back into East Berlin. Pissed off the guards every time, but they kept on letting him go back and forth. East Berlin was deserted and grey, grey, b It was a major adventure for us all. Geno was fearless. ut because it was risky, it felt we had traveled to an unenhabited land.

I used to waitress and once in a while sing at the Golden Vanity ( long gone ) and it was an old warehouse with a ramp. Perfect for Geno and the other Harvard Bikers to ride in in the middle of someone, most likely a delicate balladeer, and chaos broke out,and mostly in fun
I visited you and your mom and grandparents (?) in Puerto Rico when you were about 2. I have a couple of photos from that trip.I know run the New England Folk Music Archives in cambridge. Hope this reaches you, Betsysiggins2gmail.com

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino (Geno) Foreman
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Jun 09 - 08:40 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino (Geno) Foreman
From: Marcia Stehr
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 12:55 PM

Thank you, Betsy, for the sweet memories!

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino (Geno) Foreman
From: Marcia Stehr
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 10:59 AM

After Geno died I received many beautiful letters from his friends.
Here is one of them:


Nov. 20, 1966
From Albert Maher to Marci Foreman

I am finding the fact of Geno’s death a bad dream that somehow I already had-deja vu- but no, it is really simply that I loved him as my brother and as my brother he is integrated into me as someone I hurt, was hurt by, laughed with, grew with and always marveled at his energy, talent, generosity, and was angry with his egocentricity and stubbornness and indulged myself with the assurance that I would always have him as my friend, and now I weep because he is gone, and in my self centered ignorance I feel with anguish that I took for granted---
                              roll in your friends
                              while you may
                              for tomorrow they
                              are covered with moss.
And it seems the life we are having is terribly brief, and being brief it should contain more blessings than it does, but those blessings being few are more meaningful and Geno was for me a gift of the good goods-a mixed blessing yes ah yes, and I smile to think of the confusion and havoc of our souls….
And it continues, for he gave me touch with people, Clark and Mairi, that continues in the present that is now. And without eulogizing him it is to say the obvious that the terrible intensity with which he lived made him a rare soul to all of us, but for me also a tragic expectancy that the precious child cannot walk the ledge across the river from the Spry sign and not be hurt, but maybe yes it is possible he can, he will. So I argue rationally for staying off ledges, and he exposed the reasoning of the earthbound as the logic of the clerk’s ledger and he was right.
                           and that was six years ago
                           and the genius is gone
                           and I have no words
                           for it maybe when I see
                           you I will
                           you are both very
                           special people in
                           my life,

                                        Love,
                                              Al

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino (Geno) Foreman
From: GUEST,Andrew Preece
Date: 30 Oct 09 - 08:54 PM

hallo Marcia,it was great to find your site out of the blue. I was introduced to Geno in Rome in august 1963 by an afro american Sylvester Reece who said he had met Geno in Africa and that Geno had taught Joan Baez guitar. We met in a room above a cafe and were introduced to Hamza,black as the ace with a wonderful smile and holding an oud, as was Geno, and both in white kaftans I recall.Geno seemed to me to be in his forties , emaciated and pale. he explaned that mosqitos and other insects never bit him as they could see he had nothing to offer. Hamza looked the picture of health. What a contrast. We talked about music and that jazz was my prime interest but I was having problems understanding what Thelonius Monk was all about.I hit the jackpot. Geno launched into Blue Monk on the oud and the veil was lifted from my ears! Thanks Geno, after 46 years I can just about play it on the trombone and it sounds like it came from New Orleans. The pair of them played all afternoon, the most exquisite and subtle interweaving of melodies and rhythms by two masters of their art finishing with a long descriptive piece written by Hamza, simply called " the Nile". Incredible,beautiful music on fretless instruments from way back. It was only one afternoon in my life and I always wondered what had happened to the them until I read the Joan Baez autobiography a couple of years ago.Even the passing off all those years didnt dim the shock and sadness I felt. and he was only my age when we met, a mere 22 or so. After 50 plus years of listening live to giants of many musical forms including Joan and Bob in their prime, that afternoon with Geno and Hamza stands out as a favourite memory in a full life. Thanks again fellas, you were just wonderful. Hope this little bit of detail adds colour to your picture. with love to you both, andrew

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino (Geno) Foreman
From: Marcia Stehr
Date: 31 Oct 09 - 09:24 AM

Hi Andrew, Thank you so much for posting your memories of Geno and Hamza.

Peace and love to you, Marcia

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino (Geno) Foreman
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 09 - 08:51 AM

I'm afraid that Eric VS died recently. So that trail's dead.

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino (Geno) Foreman
From: Marcia Stehr
Date: 08 Nov 09 - 09:04 AM

Some trails never die.

Subject: RE: Did you know Gino (Geno) Foreman
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 09 - 09:08 AM

Nice to hear about Geno again. I was in the Cambridge folk scene 1957-60.