Any time I saw George he was great! He still lived in Marin when I arrived here, saw him play in numerous clubs in the Bat Area, but after the car crash and move back east it was fewer and farther between shows, but he never disappointed.
One year at Wesleyan University, a smoke filled auditorium full of dance sweating highheads, the image still clear in my mind. The Airmen whipped the place into one happy frenzy, a keg of beer onstage, the Commander played barefoot smokin a stogie. So much fun. I found nothing about him passing online, but if true we lost a true American classic.
Every story's got a moral and mine does, too
It ain't nobody's business whatever you do
All of us got weird notions of time
The Lord only knows that I sure got mine
I'm public enemy number-one
All because I wanna have too much fun
Loved that band --- saw them many times in the 70's including with the Dead the week after that photo above at Oakland Col.
They were almost like a house band to us - amazing musicians.
I met George many times at the Zephyr and Dead Goat Saloon in Salt Lake City when he came to town in the 1990's. Great guy.
I last saw him 3 years ago at the Portland Blues Fest- he was hobbling on a cane but put on his usual great show- with a great band. Glad I caught him one last time.
Took my daughter to her first concert years ago - Commander Cody and Bill Kirchen. They were out back smoking a joint as we walked to theater and my daughter, who was maybe 9 or so at the time was appalled as she was learning the dangers of smoking cigarettes in skool. Not the right time for the 420 talk so just told her that's what bands do sometimes before shows. Was pretty funny. We met him and Bill after the show and they were very kind to both of us but particularly my daughter. Good times. RIP Commander
The first time my old band in Chicago... Deadbeats... landed an opener slot for a bigger act... it was Commander Cody and the LP Airmen. Biddy Mulligans 1986. It was a wild night in that Northside bar. First saw a show in 1980 at Springfest Ohio U. RIP! One of the funnest live bands ever!
Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen were probably the most fun band you could possibly see. Commander was a character, but nobody in his time could play boogie-woogie piano like him. He just loved tickling those ivories. I remember seeing them a bunch of times at The Lonestar Roadhouse on 13th St. in NYC. If you wanted to get up close to the stage, you just brought up a shot of tequila for The Commander and everybody let you through. They got that place jumpin', you would forget you were in downtown Manhattan. Sadly, the LPA broke up, but The Commander carried on, pretty much playing right up until Covid hit. He'd play a show with guitarist Bill Kirchen every so often, good to see they remained friends.
I can't really due him justice without telling a 'Commander story', and there's a lot of them.
George is sitting at the bar of The Towne Crier in Pawling NY, about 45 minutes before he goes on. He's by himself, but eventually he starts getting recognized. He's playing the part, and happily accepting every shot people are willing to buy him. He's getting in a great mood, but maybe approaching the edge. After 10 or 12 shots, he's probably loaded. Everybody slowly makes their way to their table, and soon the band is announced. George grabs his cane and gets off the barstool, slowly makes his way towards the small stage. He's hobbling. It's obvious he needs the cane as he makes it up the 3 steps to the stage to join the band. He settles into the stool behind his electric piano, and I'm wondering how he's going to pull this off. The crowd is whoopin' and a hollerin'. He looks down, goes "1-2, Lost In The Ozone" and plays his heart out. Never missed a beat, vocals right on the money, and those ear-pleasing boogie-woogie solos. Gave a killer show and never let up.
He never disappointed, and that's how I'll always remember George.
One of my best concert memories was seeing Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen open for The Jefferson Airplane at Gaelic Park 8/14/72. Terrific performances by both bands.
Gaelic Park--was that area flooded out during Ida a few weeks back? My peeps are Grand Course folks. My aunt lived right next to Yankee Stadium for 43 years on 163 st--used to go up on the roof and look into the game
This Friday's Cabin Fever Reliever will feature all the Commander Cody favorites, and I'll reminisce a bit about the wild and wonderful years I spent running the roads with George and all the Lost Planet Airmen. These guys, and the friends we made, are still some of my very favorite people on the planet.
RIP George Frayne aka Commander Cody 1944-2021
This Friday, October 1 at 7 pm Central - tune in on the fb music page (facebook.com/billkirchen) or at AustinCityJams.com/BillKirchen - live-streaming from the Kirchen Kitchen.
And The Lost Planet Airmen Reunion Tour, dedicated to our ol' Commander, is right around the corner. Four original Airmen, coming together from far and wide for one cosmic run through their old stomping grounds in California. Bill Kirchen, Andy Stein, Buffalo Bruce Barlow and John Tichy together again, joined by Paul Revelli on drums, Peter Siegel on pedal steel, and Austin de Lone at the piano.
Friday 10/15 - Michael's on Main Street, Soquel, CA -call (831) 479-9777 ext 2 for tickets
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf
Lost in the ozone
Lost in the ozone
R.I.P. George Frayne
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Localcountyline
Aw fuck.
Aw fuck.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: 2 Room Shack
aww, RIP.
aww, RIP.
caught him and with bill kirchen at the now gone don the beachcomber a few years back. was great.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Woz
Any time I saw George he was
Any time I saw George he was great! He still lived in Marin when I arrived here, saw him play in numerous clubs in the Bat Area, but after the car crash and move back east it was fewer and farther between shows, but he never disappointed.
And I'm down to seeds and stem again blues.....
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Localcountyline
His piano is still at the
His piano is still at the Sand Dollar here in Stinson Beach, where he lived for years.
RIP Commander.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Woz
Did it survive the explosion
Did it survive the explosion and fire last year? I haven't been to Stinson since that happened.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Rasputin O'Leary
One year at Wesleyan
One year at Wesleyan University, a smoke filled auditorium full of dance sweating highheads, the image still clear in my mind. The Airmen whipped the place into one happy frenzy, a keg of beer onstage, the Commander played barefoot smokin a stogie. So much fun. I found nothing about him passing online, but if true we lost a true American classic.
Diggy Liggy Lo (Live (1973/Austin, TX)
https://youtu.be/YltVyQfTzsY
Too Much Fun (Live (1973/Austin, TX)
https://youtu.be/OEh3HBeZNHE
Every story's got a moral and mine does, too
It ain't nobody's business whatever you do
All of us got weird notions of time
The Lord only knows that I sure got mine
I'm public enemy number-one
All because I wanna have too much fun
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Localcountyline
Yes Woz. The restaurant
Yes Woz. The restaurant suffered roof and foundation damage and hopefully will finally re-open in the spring.
They had live music there 7 nights a week, using that piano.
2 or 3 years ago George came in and signed the piano and played a bit. Naturally I missed that...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sun so hot, clouds so low
RIP
RIP
got to see him a number of years ago with professor Louie and the crowmatix. It was splendid
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
Went to that show with ya
Went to that show with ya Turts. Was a great show.
I remember Dave Alvin was in the audience.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Druba
RIP (covered a lot of those
RIP (covered a lot of those songs back in the day)
7/21/74 Hollywood Bowl
Photo by Ralph Boethling
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Def. High
Saw the Airmen quite a few
Saw the Airmen quite a few times back in the day. Always a great show. They look pretty cool under the WOS.
RIP Commander.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: krab
Was my first listen to the
Was my first listen to the song Don't Let Go, great rockabilly version. Their 1975 album cover is one of my favorites.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Richard Cranium
Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
He will be missed!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Vann Kliburn
Ahhhh no .
Ohhhh no .
Loved that band --- saw them many times in the 70's including with the Dead the week after that photo above at Oakland Col.
They were almost like a house band to us - amazing musicians.
I met George many times at the Zephyr and Dead Goat Saloon in Salt Lake City when he came to town in the 1990's. Great guy.
I last saw him 3 years ago at the Portland Blues Fest- he was hobbling on a cane but put on his usual great show- with a great band. Glad I caught him one last time.
Rest in PEACE brother.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
R.I.P. George.
R.I.P. George.
Glad we still have Bill Kirchen around and in good form.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Andy
RIP Commander, you will be
RIP Commander, you will be missed. No more seeds and stems...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: aiq
RIP, Commander.
RIP, Commander.
Heard them in Tampa, fun show.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Highnote
https://youtu.be/LInn_l146co
https://youtu.be/LInn_l146co
Thanks for all the fun and music. RIP.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Augwest386
Took my daughter to her first
Took my daughter to her first concert years ago - Commander Cody and Bill Kirchen. They were out back smoking a joint as we walked to theater and my daughter, who was maybe 9 or so at the time was appalled as she was learning the dangers of smoking cigarettes in skool. Not the right time for the 420 talk so just told her that's what bands do sometimes before shows. Was pretty funny. We met him and Bill after the show and they were very kind to both of us but particularly my daughter. Good times. RIP Commander
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
Bill Kirchen still does a
Bill Kirchen still does a great Seeds & Stems. No disrespect to the dearly departed Commander, but Bill was the power center of that band.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor
https://www.youtube.com/watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAJuRK9x4No
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Greasyheart
Fuck! Wine, Wine, Wine, Do
Fuck! Wine, Wine, Wine, Do Yer Stuff. An original--thanks George!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Jack Fate
The first time my old band in
The first time my old band in Chicago... Deadbeats... landed an opener slot for a bigger act... it was Commander Cody and the LP Airmen. Biddy Mulligans 1986. It was a wild night in that Northside bar. First saw a show in 1980 at Springfest Ohio U. RIP! One of the funnest live bands ever!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: GDTRFB
RIP.
RIP.
Biddy Mulligans and Deadbeats take me back a few as well.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: GDTRFB
...I never saw Gerorge Frayne
...I never saw Gerorge Frayne but was surprised to see Bill Kirchen play a basement bar show in SLC, circa 2003 or so?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: uncmozo
Commander Cody and the Lost
Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen were probably the most fun band you could possibly see. Commander was a character, but nobody in his time could play boogie-woogie piano like him. He just loved tickling those ivories. I remember seeing them a bunch of times at The Lonestar Roadhouse on 13th St. in NYC. If you wanted to get up close to the stage, you just brought up a shot of tequila for The Commander and everybody let you through. They got that place jumpin', you would forget you were in downtown Manhattan. Sadly, the LPA broke up, but The Commander carried on, pretty much playing right up until Covid hit. He'd play a show with guitarist Bill Kirchen every so often, good to see they remained friends.
I can't really due him justice without telling a 'Commander story', and there's a lot of them.
George is sitting at the bar of The Towne Crier in Pawling NY, about 45 minutes before he goes on. He's by himself, but eventually he starts getting recognized. He's playing the part, and happily accepting every shot people are willing to buy him. He's getting in a great mood, but maybe approaching the edge. After 10 or 12 shots, he's probably loaded. Everybody slowly makes their way to their table, and soon the band is announced. George grabs his cane and gets off the barstool, slowly makes his way towards the small stage. He's hobbling. It's obvious he needs the cane as he makes it up the 3 steps to the stage to join the band. He settles into the stool behind his electric piano, and I'm wondering how he's going to pull this off. The crowd is whoopin' and a hollerin'. He looks down, goes "1-2, Lost In The Ozone" and plays his heart out. Never missed a beat, vocals right on the money, and those ear-pleasing boogie-woogie solos. Gave a killer show and never let up.
He never disappointed, and that's how I'll always remember George.
RIP buddy, and thanks for the good times.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor
Grate story Jerry H
Grate story Jerry H
Good interviews on Letterman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT0iYtgZBoY
Funny guy! RIP!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Bob
One of my best concert
One of my best concert memories was seeing Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen open for The Jefferson Airplane at Gaelic Park 8/14/72. Terrific performances by both bands.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Greasyheart
Gaelic Park--was that area
Gaelic Park--was that area flooded out during Ida a few weeks back? My peeps are Grand Course folks. My aunt lived right next to Yankee Stadium for 43 years on 163 st--used to go up on the roof and look into the game
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Localcountyline
Great stories, thanks.
Great stories, thanks.
Bob, did you go to the Dead show in Gaelic Park?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Bob
^^^ Unfotunately no Local.
^^^
Unfortunately no Local.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Bob
But I've got some great
But I've got some great stories from that Commander/Airplane show.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: krab
Riot in Cell Block #9 Live
Riot in Cell Block #9 Live at Sweetwater in Mill Valley, CA on 4/24/1989 Commander Cody, Jerry Garcia, Sammy Hagar, Elvis Costello, James Burton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTZzBN_TAK0
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: 2 Room Shack
santa cruz gets all the shows
santa cruz gets all the shows
Bill Kirchen
This Friday's Cabin Fever Reliever will feature all the Commander Cody favorites, and I'll reminisce a bit about the wild and wonderful years I spent running the roads with George and all the Lost Planet Airmen. These guys, and the friends we made, are still some of my very favorite people on the planet.
RIP George Frayne aka Commander Cody 1944-2021
This Friday, October 1 at 7 pm Central - tune in on the fb music page (facebook.com/billkirchen) or at AustinCityJams.com/BillKirchen - live-streaming from the Kirchen Kitchen.
And The Lost Planet Airmen Reunion Tour, dedicated to our ol' Commander, is right around the corner. Four original Airmen, coming together from far and wide for one cosmic run through their old stomping grounds in California. Bill Kirchen, Andy Stein, Buffalo Bruce Barlow and John Tichy together again, joined by Paul Revelli on drums, Peter Siegel on pedal steel, and Austin de Lone at the piano.
Friday 10/15 - Michael's on Main Street, Soquel, CA -call (831) 479-9777 ext 2 for tickets
Sunday 10/17 - Hopmonk Tavern, Novato, CA (only 10 tickets left!) (https://wl.seetickets.us/.../Bill.../409516...)
Saturday 10/23 - Freight and Salvage, Berkeley, CA (https://secure.thefreight.org/518/bill-kirchen)