Sky Saxon, the lead singer, bassist, and founder of the 1960s garage band The Seeds, died today after a brief illness, according to his publicist, the AP reports. Saxon — born Richard Marsh and believed to be in his sixties — collaborated with the Smashing Pumpkins last year and was scheduled to perform as part of the California '66 Revue in August. The Seeds' hits include "Pushin' Too Hard" and "Can't Seem to Make You Mine."
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I first met Sky over 20 years ago in LA. He took me to an “oldies” show at the Palace where he was on the bill with Strawberry Alarm Clock. Met up with him again this spring in Austin. He still had his hippy trippy sunlight vibe. Saw him just a few weeks ago and knew he had to be ill. He tried to convince me it was food poisoning. I am so sad to hear of his passing. I owed him a phone call. I will cherish the time that I was around him and the last CD that he gave me. as my Clock used to say,”Rock forward”, Sky!!
definitely had more of an impact on my life than Michael Jackson ever did
Very sad. Sky had a unique and very cool voice. The Seeds were my first concert experience at The Valley Music Theater in Woodland Hills, CA in 1967. I remember girls trying to get onstage to touch him and security guards dragging them off. What a great influence on rock and roll.
One of my earlier concert experiences as well. I saw him in a small venue in either Riverside or San Bdo. He used to wear Black and White Striped bell-bottoms. I had to have a pair, and eventually found them. Funny one person mentions in and the Strawberry Alarm Clock. One of my husbands friends, Greg Mumford, was the vocalist for Incense, Pepperments.
Do you know how I can contact your husband’s friend Greg Mumford? I’d be fascinated to hear his take on all the confusion surrounding “Incense and Peppermints” I’d also like to know how his career went afterwards with his groups.
Pushin’ Too Hard was a total ‘Punk’ song. Every note and lyric screamed attitude. This song is a great example of a One Hit Wonder being so good the legacy of the creators is deserved at many levels. And how ’bout the groups name; The Seeds.
Perfect.
Hello i meet Sky Saxon in Austin Texas when he played The Black Angels psych fest in march 2009 weekend before sxsw at a club on 6th street in Austin he has young people coming up to him admiring him he had this strong magnetism of love. after the his show sky invited out to breakfastwith him & his wife Sabrina in his van to magnolia’s restaurant on south congress he walked in smoking a joint a waiter said to sky its OK your in Austin Texas (i seen him before years for did not know who he was) i spent a week going to events with sky a movie premiere party at stubs, his gig with Shapes Have Fangs that was his Austin back up band at the Spider house, austin music hall to see Roky Erickson play. Prez Hilton’s sxsw party and at his apartment and the condo i rented on 4th street Sky i will always remember my time with you
Cagliostro, you are so right. Such a shame Sky’s death was so overshadowed. EW, thank you so much for reporting this. It took the NY Times a whole day to say something! A true musical loss!
Sorry to hear of Sky’s passing. Through my cousin, I came to be casual friends with the Seeds when the were playing Bido Lido’s in Hollywood in, I think ‘66. Wow, 43 years ago! i loved the seeds music then and still get a kick out of it, sometimes breaking into one of the songs more familiar to me: Pushin’ Too Hard; Can’t Seem to Make You Mine (awohh); The Farmer. I will be now be searching for their songs to put on my Ipod, leaving my daughter to download bunches of Michael Jackson tunes.
Richard L.
stayed at his place in topanga cyn a while, his brother Robert Marsh was my roomate for awhile both in 1971. Mr/ Farmer my favourite seeds track.
On our Radio Base Camp show on WPKN radio in Bridgeport we had a very interesting interview with Sky Saxon…and he was on the California ‘66 Tour that was coming to Fairfield, CT at the THE QUICK CENTER with a benefit concert for WPKN with The Electric Prunes and LOVE with Johnny Echols & Baby Lemonade. Here is a link to the WPKN archives and our 38 min. interview this past March. California ‘66 continues and will add a new group and the tour will be in honor of Sky “Sunlight” Saxon. Sky RIP
Interview link: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/listen/1174
“Well, I think you could retire when you die. I don’t, however, believe in death, so I guess I will retire when I leave my body. But I plan to continue writing and performing in heaven” Sky Sunlight Saxon March 2009
Sky and Electric Alarm Clock did a movie called Psych Out. Jack Nicholson and Bruce Dern were in it also. I had a bit part but all the players were really super nice to everyone. Really a nice guy…..RIP.