Curtiss A with a little help from his friends

Born at the exact moment the age of Aquarius dawned, the enigma known as Curtiss A began his not-yet-ended trip to nowhere. Named after a 20th century Minneapolis downtown landmark, the Curtis Hotel, Curt’s just glad his Dad wasn’t facing south or he’d be Lemington A. His Mama was a Lewis so he always felt an affinity to “Uncle” Jerry. Curt hints at the possible assignation with Carl Perkins when she waitressed at the Flame. He’s also fond of that old chestnut about Dave Dudley drying out in the basement in the Moorhead before he could tour behind “Six Days”. “I was fascinated by Little Richard and Bo Diddley and all the other giants of my wonder years.”

Curt’s first band was the FIENDISH THINGIES (after a George Harrison “Help” quote) in Oklahoma City 1966. “First Gig, first joint, first UFO all in one night”. The first band that meant anything to anyone was WIRE. Formed in 1969, they lasted through numerous personnel changes until 1973. The boys took a year off and reformed as THUMBS UP (Gary Rue’s idea) and once again lasted about three years, with numerous permutations, one of which was christened SPOOKS. The band collided with the new wave and became the springboard for the entertainment machine known as CURTISS A. Slim Dunlap and Frank Berry provided the sturdy skeletons. Slim became the replacement Replacement and Frank recorded “She Got Sex” with the PISTONS.

Mark Goldstein had been in SKOGIE and the FLAMING PACHUCOS with Rick Moore (the provider of Demi’s surname), but returned to the Midwest after a bad experience on the coast. He enlisted the SUICIDE COMMANDOES and Curt (As Buzz Barker) to record the “underground hit” “Land of the Free”. “I Don’t Wanna Be President” continued in the political rant vein. Three LPs were recorded for Twin Tone during the '80s, the highlight of which was the last, A Scarlet Letter, produced by “Big” Al Anderson (while he was in NRBQ).

The next LP was to have been produced by Peter Holsapple and the dBs, but life got in the way. “We did two small East coast jaunts together. Really a good memory”. Peter became quite busy as R.E.M.’s utility player. Family tragedy caused Curt to retire for a year until Bongo coaxed him out of his self-imposed exile. Since then, he’s done the Lennon Tribute annually and several iconic Elvis shows represented by live CDs. Two hard to find, out-of-print CDs also exist, legendary Over at Slims and Make it Big (recorded at the late Gary Snow’s Cathouse Studio R.I.P.). Currently performing in town.

Upcoming Shows


Dec
8
th
First Avenue
Dec
8
th
First Avenue

The 45th Annual John Lennon Tribute

★ Local Show ★
with Curtiss A with a little help from his friends

Past Shows


Dec
8
th
2023
First Avenue
Dec
8
th
2023
First Avenue

The 44th Annual John Lennon Tribute

★ Local Show ★
with Curtiss A with a little help from his friends
Dec
8
th
2022
First Avenue
Dec
8
th
2022
First Avenue

The 43rd Annual John Lennon Tribute

with Curtiss A with a little help from his friends
Dec
8
th
2022
Livestream
Dec
8
th
2022
Livestream

The 43rd Annual John Lennon Tribute ⏤ Livestream

Live from First Avenue
with Curtiss A with a little help from his friends
Dec
8
th
2021
First Avenue
Dec
8
th
2021
First Avenue

42nd Annual John Lennon Tribute

with Curtiss A with a little help from his friends
Dec
8
th
2021
Livestream
Dec
8
th
2021
Livestream

42nd Annual John Lennon Tribute ( Livestream )

Live from First Avenue
with Curtiss A with a little help from his friends
Dec
8
th
2020
NoonChorus
Dec
8
th
2020
NoonChorus

41st Annual John Lennon Tribute

Live from First Avenue (Livestream)
with Curtiss A with a little help from his friends
Dec
8
th
2019
Mainroom
Dec
9
th
2018
Mainroom
Dec
9
th
2018
Mainroom

The Music of THE BEATLES For Kids

with Curtiss A with a little help from his friends
Dec
8
th
2018
Mainroom
Dec
8
th
2017
Mainroom
Dec
8
th
2016
Mainroom
Dec
8
th
2015
Mainroom
Dec
8
th
2015
Mainroom
Dec
8
th
2014
Mainroom
Dec
8
th
2013
Mainroom
Dec
8
th
2013
Mainroom

Curtiss A with a little help from his friends

with The Suburbs, The Cactus Blossoms and Sonny Knight And The Lakers
Dec
8
th
2012
Mainroom
Dec
8
th
2012
Mainroom

Curtiss A with a little help from his friends

with John Mark Nelson, Big Trouble and Molly Maher
Dec
8
th
2011
Mainroom
Dec
8
th
2011
Mainroom

Curtiss A with a little help from his friends

with WHITE LIGHT RIOT (Reunion Show), Anonymous Choir and Me and My Arrow
Dec
8
th
2010
Mainroom
Dec
8
th
2010
Mainroom

Curtiss A with a little help from his friends

with Communist Daughter and Total Babe

More Shows

Feb
28
th
Turf Club

Pert Near Sandstone

with Dig Deep and Katey Bellville
Jan
4
th
Turf Club

Gramma's Boyfriend

with Oyster World and Ghosting Merit
Jan
3
rd
Turf Club

HELL YEAH 2!! ⏤ A Rock & Roll Dance Party ft. DJ Mary Lucia

with DJ Shane Kramer (of Transmission), DJ Johnnie Johnson and Monica LaPlante
Mar
7
th
7th St Entry

Glixen

with she's green and Linus