The character displayed below was created for a project about a dream I had in 1984, while we were performing as ARC.
There is a lot to say about this man. He was a rogue, a radical, fearless, and had a heart the size of an elephant. We often joked amongst ourselves that he was like the ‘Cowardly Lion’ from the movie Wizard Of Oz. In fact, he would often emulate that character with a very good imitation; “Put ‘em up!”
From his early days of womanizing, carousing, and challenging any false authority that tried to impose their will upon him, or us, he grew into a man of great depth and character. From standing naked on the top of a car screaming; “All gods are false! All you need is love!” in the Grateful Dead parking lot to many performances of our music, both solo and with the several bands we were in together and separately, he was legendary in some circles.
When I first met him in 1978, I was not sure how to take him. He decided he was going to be my friend right away, and at first I was a bit put off by his strange uniqueness. At the 1978 Rainbow Gathering in Oregon, he wandered around dressed in a bathrobe, with a tiny finger drum that at the time was his only evidence of the musician that was inside of him.
It took me about a year to figure out that he in fact was potentially a good friend. Being somewhat of an intellectual, I valued then, as I do now, anyones ability to converse on subjects that weren’t the run-of-the-mill, common topics found in most social gatherings in the latter part of the 20th century.
In frank and open conversation at the end of our first gathering together, I noticed two things; One, he was quite capable of understanding everything I wished to talk about, but Two, had a vocabulary that was steeped in street slang and common vulgarity. I pointed this out, suggesting that he read more literature, and instead of being offended, he went away that year, and did exactly that. When we found each other again the next year at the Arizona Rainbow Gathering, his command of the language had increased substantially. I was suitably impressed. When he admitted that he’d followed my advice and began to read a lot more, that may have been the point when our friendship really began.
From his early days of womanizing, carousing, and challenging any false authority that tried to impose their will upon him, or us, he grew into a man of great depth and character. From standing naked on the top of a car screaming; “All gods are false! All you need is love!” in the Grateful Dead parking lot to many performances of our music, both solo and with the several bands we were in together and separately, he was legendary in some circles.
When I first met him in 1978, I was not sure how to take him. He decided he was going to be my friend right away, and at first I was a bit put off by his strange uniqueness. At the 1978 Rainbow Gathering in Oregon, he wandered around dressed in a bathrobe, with a tiny finger drum that at the time was his only evidence of the musician that was inside of him.
It took me about a year to figure out that he in fact was potentially a good friend. Being somewhat of an intellectual, I valued then, as I do now, anyones ability to converse on subjects that weren’t the run-of-the-mill, common topics found in most social gatherings in the latter part of the 20th century.
In frank and open conversation at the end of our first gathering together, I noticed two things; One, he was quite capable of understanding everything I wished to talk about, but Two, had a vocabulary that was steeped in street slang and common vulgarity. I pointed this out, suggesting that he read more literature, and instead of being offended, he went away that year, and did exactly that. When we found each other again the next year at the Arizona Rainbow Gathering, his command of the language had increased substantially. I was suitably impressed. When he admitted that he’d followed my advice and began to read a lot more, that may have been the point when our friendship really began.
He had also decided to take up the guitar, and soon we were playing together as a duo that got a bit of a reputation in the Rainbow.
We had many adventures together. Some those are epic in their scope. We fought and argued a lot in the early days, particularly when we were camping together and crossed paths before our morning coffee. I broke my hand on his thick skull one morning, and learned my lesson. We had some argument and debate after that, but never again did either of us cross that line into violence with each other.
Many of my other acquaintances could not understand why Abin and I became such close friends, as they could not see the depth and quality of the man’s heart and intentions, He was often misjudged by persons who thought quite highly of themselves. The two of us, in return, often engaged in some somewhat magical, musical events that put their egos in their place. We were champions of the people.
In 1981, Abin decided to take up the drums, and we formed our first band; ARC. Some of the music survives, and is displayed on this site. For many years I held this band and its members in a very sacred spot in my heart. Our accomplishment of the first “Rainbow Medicine Show” at the Missouri Rainbow Gathering in 1985 is an honor and accolade that no one can take from us.
In the early 80’s Abin found the love of his life; T’kara - who was a singer, dancer, and as much of a character in her own right as Abin. Their relationship was intense. They fought and loved deeply. Four children were born of this union, who became lifelong friends of my own children. Abin left us in 2017, less than two weeks after we’d finally managed to do our first complete solar powered concert on the total solar eclipse of that year. T’kara followed him less than 2 years later.
He was my oldest friend. I could always talk to him about anything. We fit together musically in a powerful and unique way. I miss him greatly.
We had many adventures together. Some those are epic in their scope. We fought and argued a lot in the early days, particularly when we were camping together and crossed paths before our morning coffee. I broke my hand on his thick skull one morning, and learned my lesson. We had some argument and debate after that, but never again did either of us cross that line into violence with each other.
Many of my other acquaintances could not understand why Abin and I became such close friends, as they could not see the depth and quality of the man’s heart and intentions, He was often misjudged by persons who thought quite highly of themselves. The two of us, in return, often engaged in some somewhat magical, musical events that put their egos in their place. We were champions of the people.
In 1981, Abin decided to take up the drums, and we formed our first band; ARC. Some of the music survives, and is displayed on this site. For many years I held this band and its members in a very sacred spot in my heart. Our accomplishment of the first “Rainbow Medicine Show” at the Missouri Rainbow Gathering in 1985 is an honor and accolade that no one can take from us.
In the early 80’s Abin found the love of his life; T’kara - who was a singer, dancer, and as much of a character in her own right as Abin. Their relationship was intense. They fought and loved deeply. Four children were born of this union, who became lifelong friends of my own children. Abin left us in 2017, less than two weeks after we’d finally managed to do our first complete solar powered concert on the total solar eclipse of that year. T’kara followed him less than 2 years later.
He was my oldest friend. I could always talk to him about anything. We fit together musically in a powerful and unique way. I miss him greatly.
In his own words;
I am 55 years old I am a singer and songwriter. I was a professional
hitch-hiker, and performed in bars and as a street musician for 14
years in the 70''s and eighties. Am a Beatles fan but mostly into John.
I have been a peace activist since 1968.
I was inspired by John Lennon's life and music to be a musician. And in April 1981 While on the road I wrote A tribute song to him called "Forever Lennon".
Though I've recorded and performed my music at Rainbow Gatherings and such. I never really published. But I would love to share my music with everyone someday. I am older now and do not travel as much.
We all did do some shows together. Called the Rainbow Medicine Show. Sort of inspired by the Magical Mystery tour, And in the tradition of media for Peace as John Lennon said "Just had to keep going on about peace in the media" In John and Yoko's B.B.C. interviews in 1981.One Show we did was with Ralph Nader in 1997. We brought together various environmental and activist groups to speak on stage in between four bands, the main attraction being Ralph Nader's speech. This happened April 27, 1997 at the Maine Center for the Arts at the University of Maine in Orno, Maine. One of the speakers was Bill Linnell, 25 year anti nuclear activist of Cheaper Safer Power. We went on to do 4 other shows for each activist group. After the show we did for Bill Linnell, Maine Yankee nuke plant was shut down permantly.
Peace, Abin.
I was inspired by John Lennon's life and music to be a musician. And in April 1981 While on the road I wrote A tribute song to him called "Forever Lennon".
Though I've recorded and performed my music at Rainbow Gatherings and such. I never really published. But I would love to share my music with everyone someday. I am older now and do not travel as much.
We all did do some shows together. Called the Rainbow Medicine Show. Sort of inspired by the Magical Mystery tour, And in the tradition of media for Peace as John Lennon said "Just had to keep going on about peace in the media" In John and Yoko's B.B.C. interviews in 1981.One Show we did was with Ralph Nader in 1997. We brought together various environmental and activist groups to speak on stage in between four bands, the main attraction being Ralph Nader's speech. This happened April 27, 1997 at the Maine Center for the Arts at the University of Maine in Orno, Maine. One of the speakers was Bill Linnell, 25 year anti nuclear activist of Cheaper Safer Power. We went on to do 4 other shows for each activist group. After the show we did for Bill Linnell, Maine Yankee nuke plant was shut down permantly.
Peace, Abin.
Here are three of his songs that were recorded by himself and his wife T’kara.
Forever Lennon
The Power of Change
Share Your Love