Details
- Reference NumberARC-0033
- Level of descriptioncollection
- TitleLenny Kaye Collection
- Date1954-2010
- Size0.42 (Linear feet)
- Scope and ContentsThe Lenny Kaye Collection spans the years 1954 to 1992 and 2010, with the bulk of the material dating between 1969 and 1984. The collection consists of business documents from Elektra Records and notes for a speech Kaye gave to the Association of Midwest Museums annual conference in 2010. The Elektra materials include catalogs, clippings, correspondence, press releases, and records, illustrating Elektra's influence and importance within the music industry.
- Biography / Administrative HistoryElektra Records was founded in 1950 by Jacques Holzman and Paul Rickhalt. After several years of focusing on art and folk music, Elektra gained entrance to the pop music world by signing the Tim Buckley, the Doors, Love, the MC5, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and the Stooges in 1966-1967. In 1970, Elektra consolidated with Warner Communications, which later, in 1972, merged with Asylum Records, and, in 2004, with Atlantic Records. In 2009 in Elektra was revived as an independent entity within Warner Music.
Lenny Kaye is a guitarist, music historian, and writer, known for his role as the guitarist in the Patti Smith Group. His involvement with the music industry dates back to the 1960s and he remains active both on and off stage. His studio work includes such artists as Jim Carroll, Allen Ginsberg, Kristen Hersh, Soul Asylum, and Suzanne Vega. He has three Grammy nominations in the liner notes category for boxed sets on the sixties folk revival, and he is the author of several books. In 2010 he helped document the history of Elektra Records for the occasion of the label's 60th anniversary. - Timeline1946 December 27: Born in Washington Heights, New York.
1964 November 7: Plays first show with the Vandals.
1967: Graduates from Rutgers University with a bachelors degree in American History.
1971 November 10: Plays first show as guitarist with the Patti Smith Group.
1975-1979: Releases four albums with the Patti Smith Group.
1980s: Plays guitar with the Jim Carroll Band and the Lenny Kaye Connection.
1995: Reunites with the Patti Smith Group. - NotesCitation: [Identification of item], Lenny Kaye Collection, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Acquisition Note: The Lenny Kaye Collection was received by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. as gifts from Lenny Kaye on October 23, 2009 and November 8, 2010.
Processing Information: Processed by Rachel Somerville, Project Archivist. Completed November 30, 2010. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this finding aid: DACS and local processing manual. - AccessCollection is open for research. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights statement on the Researcher Registration form before using this collection. Consult the Library and Archives in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available.
- UseThe copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives.
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