Artist of the Month – The Radiators

Fess Blesses The Radiators - Photo by Jimmy Grotting

Never Let Your Fire Go Out – Bon Voyage to the Rads

Scroll to the bottom for a photo gallery from this year’s Jazz Fest Farewell w/ Friends show as well as tons of videos of the Rads through the years.

It is fitting that, to kick off what may just be their final week in existence, The Radiators were featured in the latest “Carnival Time” episode of HBO’s Treme, performing their staples “Long Hard Journey Home” and “Where Was You At?” at Tipitina’s for a scene recapping Mardi Gras Day from 2007. The Radiators have helped soundtrack the last 33 years in New Orleans and built a legacy that will be remembered best for their live reputation and the incredible community of fans that has built itself around this essential New Orleans act. After some 4,000+ live shows, Thursday night will mark the beginning of the end, as the Rads will kick off night 1 of the Last Watusi at Tipitina’s with an acoustic set that takes off at precisely 11:11 p.m. At some point in the twilight hours of Sunday morning, the ride will be over for the Rads. Today, we salute the band and recognize them as the Artist of the Month. Since the January announcement of their retirement, these guys have been on a tear, playing with an infused gusto and sense of purpose, jealous of the fans who get to close it out this weekend on Napoleon and Tchoup. Here’s a salute to the one-and-only Radiators.

For the Jazz Fest Farewell Photo Gallery and a handful of Youtubes, see below

The Radiators – Where Was You At?

The Radiators – Suck The Head (Music Video – 1987)

The Radiators – Seven Devils

The Radiators – Paint It Black (MOM’s Ball 2011 – 3/5/11)

The Radiators – River Run – Live at the Independent SF – 6/12/10

The Radiators – Like Dreamers Do – Music Video (1987)

The Radiators – Suck The Head – Music Video (1987)

The Radiators – Let The Red Wine Flow

The Radiators – Party Til The Money Runs Out

The Radiators – Let’s Radiate

Past Artist of the Month features:

Marco Benevento (MAY)
Generationals (APRIL)
Galactic (MARCH)
George Porter Jr. (FEBRUARY)

About the author

Wesley grew up in coastal Georgia and is a former resident of The Music City and The Big Easy where he helped get LMB NOLA off-the-ground after launching in January 2011. Over the past few years, he has also contributed steadily to JamBase and Relix Magazine. Recently, Hodges moved on to L.A. where Abita Beer is hard to find, costs about $6 if located and impromptu parading in the streets will most likely get you arrested on the spot.

 

Tags: The Radiators, Tipitinas