Musicians are our voices so their loss can be a very deep and personal one. Such is the case with Moogy Klingman, a founding member of Todd Rundgren's Utopia, who recently lost his valiant battle with cancer.
I got to know Moogy when he was a guest on my radio show two years ago. He was an idealist who spoke out on many political issues including world peace, a cause about which he was most passionate. In recent years he expressed those feelings through his band Moogy and The Peaceniks. To celebrate his life friends and fans gathered at The Bitter End this Sunday to pay tribute to him through both words and songs.
The packed house included Ian Lloyd (Stories), Steve Holley (Wings, Ian Hunter) Kasim Sulton (Todd Rundgren's Utopia, Meatloaf) and Robert Knight and Bob Bass of WBAI. The event was opened by a moving statement from Moogy's close friend Steve Sloan who was the event's MC. Other highlights included testimonials by many of his friends as well as musical performances by the Utopians featuring Kasim Sulton, The Peaceniks, Richard Corey (son of Dr. Irwin Corey), and a great rendition of "Sittin' On The Dock of The Bay" by Baby Monroe.
Moogy fought cancer to the Bitter End, making the location of his farewell that much more appropriate. As we exited club we were given a complimentary CD of his music. Admission to the event was also free. Moogy would have wanted it that way.
