Sherman Hemsley Contemplating the Meaning of Tales of Topographic Oceans.
In Progressive Rock circles, it’s been known for years that Sherman Hemsley was a Prog Rock fan. But with the recent death of the actorbest loved for his role as the peripatetic George Jefferson in The Jeffersons and All In The Family, here’s a few glimpses into the George Jefferson no one might have expected, not even “Weezie.”
Apparently Hemsley, a jazz pianist, was also a big fan of the psychedelic progressive band, Gong. Gong founder, Daevid Allen related a wild bacchanalian tale of meeting his “biggest fan” in Magnet.
He was also a fan of Nektar, who he managed to slip into a Jefferson’s episode.
During an appearance on the Dinah Shore show, Dinah! Hemsley performed a dance to the Gentle Giant song “Proclamation” from The Power and the Glory . Then he gave a five minute speech about the band. I would love to find that clip.
You never know where a Progressive Rock fan might be listening. Here’s to Sherman Hemsley, who died on July 24, 2012. He’s riding the great Flying Teapot in the sky.
~© 2012 John Diliberto ((( echoes )))
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