Ep.83: Ruthann Friedman (Musician) Songwriter of "Windy" (trigger warning suicide) Ruthann Friedman is one of the most captivating singer-songwriters of the 60s California scene. Yet you’ve probably never heard of her. If you have, it’s most likely because you know she penned The Association’s irresistible pop smash, “Windy.” But Friedman created many more extraordinary songs, crossed genre lines, and ended up being ignored by the mainstream. In an era of hippie idealism and wonderment, Friedman hung out with Janis, The Dead, Donovan, Ken Kesey, Van Dyke Parks and Hoyt Axton. She crashed at David Crosby’s pad. And just prior to Grace Slick’s grand entrance, almost landed the lead vocalist role with Jefferson Airplane. In 1967, with “Windy,” Friedman became just the third female songwriter to reach the number one position on the charts. She wrote and sang songs in the cult flick “Peace Killers.” Her 1969 solo album, the impressive “Constant Companion” (on Warner Reprise) should have elevated her to Laura Nyro-like status. But it quickly disappeared. Friedman was soon focusing on raising a family. In 2006, the Water label reissued “Constant Companion,” spearheading a rediscovery of Friedman’s work. Water followed up with a collection of rare tracks, “A Hurried Life,” comprised of home and studio recordings, circa 1965-71. The U.K. label Now Sounds has since released an expanded version of “Constant Companion,” as well as another compilation, “Windy: A Ruthann Friedman Songbook.” Friedman has returned with her first new album in 40 years, the strikingly beautiful “Chinatown” (Wolfgang Records). Van Dyke Parks guests on piano and accordion. Friedman’s writing proves to be honest, insightful and consistently surprising. Her songs are melodically intriguing and entrancing; lyrically profound and thought-provoking. The material is deeply personal and often reflects the fact that Friedman has never abandoned her social/political conscience. http://popcultureclassics.com/friedman.html Credits Produced, Research and Interview by Rich Wexler Edited Otter Castro Music Richie by B.J Snowden ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bjsnowdenmusic.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ I Never Feel Alone Instrumental by Stephen Bluhm ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.stephenbluhm.fun/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.vintageannalsarchive.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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