Standing in line waiting to see Jonathan, started a conversation with an older woman behind me. I told her how much I loved Jonathan and how excited I was to see him again. At that moment he comes out of the dressing room to cross into the nite club. "Jonathan, Johnathan!" she cries. "This young man is SO excited to see you play tonight!" Jonathan: "That's great, mom, thanks! (blows kiss) Thanks everybody!" "That's my son!" she then unnecessarily declares.

Was supposed to see Jonathan Richman last month in Providence. The show got cancelled hours before. We went to get something to eat and he was there. I went up to him and was like, “Jonathan, I’m really sorry about the show.” He looks back and says, “I’m not. It’s the way of the universe. If this didn’t happen we wouldn’t get to meet.” He’s one of the most fascinating people ever. A true performer.

"I needed the audience. I cried on their shoulder." Classic JR.

I met Jonathan in the late 80s in Boulder, after a show. I'd been listening to him since the release of the first Modern Lovers album in '76 and had enjoyed his transition from Velvets-inspired hard-edged RnR, to the colorful and happy Jonathan music we've all been enjoying since the first Bezerkley album. Anyway, I was lucky to cross Jonathan's path after the show and told him how much his music had meant to me (truth be told, he really was one of my heroes, still is). As it turns out, he was hungry so he suggested we go to the nearest diner and grab some sustenance. I don't remember this for a fact but I'm pretty sure Jonathan had a burger, which he might not enjoy nowadays. As a young Frenchman in love with rock'n'roll, this was no different than having dinner with David Bowie or Lou Reed: a definite highlight of my life. Jonathan was exactly the same person you see in this video, the same passionate, animated, and joyful presence. I forget the details of our conversation, I'm sure it mostly centered around music, I do remember that Charles Trenet and Maurice Chevalier were mentioned. This video reminds me that meeting Jonathan is still a highlight of my life, to have had the good fortune to spend a few moments in person at a Boulder diner. Jonathan's music captures the entire range of human emotions, and will always lift you up, no matter the state of mind you find yourself in, AND, it rocks. Thank you Jonathan for being in our life, the world is a better place for having you around.

"I felt beauty in things. I wanted to create a feeling like that in the room." - Jonathan Richman.

I saw J. Richman three times in the 80's. All three times in little bars in Tucson, AZ. People would yell, "Hospital!". And he would say, "That is where sick people go." People would yell, "Roadrunner!" And he would say, "Roadrunner, that is a cartoon." That is how he sloughed off the songs he didn't want to play. Funny. Having never heard of him before, he was and still is a great live performer.

1:08 Is the Timestamp of "The Fenway". Mainly leaving this here for myself as its probably the best rendition.

Jonathan is an amazing human being and there's no one else on the planet like him. Just listen to the passion in his voice when he talks about the music he loves. I've seen him live four times and met him twice. When he performs you really feel like he's singing just to you. He will peer into your soul and it will change you forever. It sounds hyperbolic, but it's not. I wish he was more widely known and appreciated. He's one of our national treasures.

Jonathan reminds me of Daniel Johnston a bit. There's this innocence of spirit that shines through him and is very artistically captivating.

I have a story about both of these wonderful people. Once upon a time in Manhattan, maybe about 1990 Jonathan Richman was playing a free show at Tower records. I had no money, so I was super excited to see him that afternoon. My job ran late and I was late and as I ran into the show they were just packing up. Jonathan saw my disappointed look and came up to me. I explained what had happened and he put me on the list for than night's show. It was one of the best show's of my life and further cemented Jonathan as one of my all time favorite artists. Fast forward maybe 2 years and I I was at a show where Andrew Bird was opening for someone at Maxwells. There were maybe 20 people in the audience. I went up to him afterwards and told him how much I loved the show and bought of his records from him. We had such a nice talk on that rainy night in Hoboken and I knew he was going places. Anyway, both of these guys stopped and talked to some kid in NYC thirty years ago and were both super nice down to earth people and basically exactly who they are here. Love these guys.

Seeing Jonathan pushing 70, looking great and in wonderful voice, bursting with vitality and inspiration is an absolute joy. Andrew does a very fine job keeping the conversation and music flowing, too.

I met Jonathan backstage after his show one night, and I so desperately wanted to say something cool. "You believe in true love!" "Yeah, I suppose that's true." "I don't think there are too many people who do." "Oh, I disagree. I think there's an awful lot of us around."

My wife and I saw Jonathan and Tommy at The Beachcomber in Wellfleet along with three or four other people one night. It was as if he were playing to us by a campfire at the beach, and he looked as happy to be there as we were.

"The Fenway" is my favorite JR song. It's buried on side two of a record that's long out of print, and I've never heard him play it live. Hearing him open with it in this set gave me goosebumps. Thank you!

Saw him at Glastonbury in the 80s, it was raining and he did a thing about ending the rain. A rainbow appeared and the rain stopped, I thought what a charismatic guy. Held his name in my heart for decades, mentioned it to a friend on a walk in the woods today, who sent me this video. And my heart is captured again.

The Modern Lovers played on my college campus, in California, in 1976, at lunch time. I was kind of into prog rock at the time, and thought they were really odd, but I distinctly remember "Roadrunner" catching my ear.

I'm calling it: JONATHAN IS A NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TREASURE. This is a lovely concert and interview, thank you.

Jonathan deserves nothing but the best.

KZfaq's a real hellhole most of the time where I feel like I'm wasting my life. Every once in a while it throws up a gem like this.

Saw Jonathan play a small bar in Michigan. He finished his set, put his guitar in its case and walked through the crowd and out the front door of the bar. Crowd went outside to watch him walk of into the darkness never looking back.

Jonathan Richman is a pure soul. I got to see and meet him at a small bar in Dallas a few years ago. He's exactly as nice as you could ever wish him to be.

10:58-15:28 That's the most truly astonishingly beautiful and real conveyance of Ravel's 'Pavanne' I have EVER heard. Tears were rolling down my face (I'm a grown man, for goodness' sake!). THAT is what music is. It's not (just) about the right notes or the right rhythm (I recall Charles Ives quoting his father about the earnest local church choir: "don't listen too closely to the notes, you may miss the MUSIC"!). Jonathan has always been a treasure, may God bless him - and bless us with Jonathan's continued presence. I didn't know he was into 'classical' music (although I suppose romantic impressionism fits like a favourite coat). He's also a much better guitarist than he thinks he is. Thank you for the music.

33:48 "I'm not a songwriter. I'm a singer who makes up songs so I'll have something to sing." 32:40 "And I must tell your audience, it does not work as a substitute for a girlfriend." Jonathan, thanks for helping me know how to live. I feel better when I remember there are people like you in the world. I love the way you just let it come right out of your mouth.

"I needed the audience, I cried on their shoulder" I love how he smiles and raises an eyebrow to Anrew after finishing the fenway

This makes me really want a collaboration project with Andrew Bird and Jonathan Richman. The way they talk and bond about music would translate beautifully into an album.

Great exchange over “Hospital” (one of my favorite ML songs): “Better to let it live in 1970 than to watch it die in 2017” Amazing!

Andrew talking about the need to express something without any formal training or anything and just figuring out how to do that regardless makes me want to song write again. Im not great at singing or guitar but the idea that it doesn’t matter and just getting something out there anyway is great

That was the best Jonathan Richman interview I've ever seen. Andrew did a great job, making Jonathan comfortable with his questions and allowing him to speak and open up. I love to listen to musicians talk about their process of making music. Jonathan is a heck of a guy!!!! Love him.

I saw JR at a small, crappy club in Signal Hill, California in the late 80's and got to spend about a 1/2 an hour talking to him on the sidewalk out front. That was definitely one of the most interesting, and intense conversations I've ever had. He is one of a kind for sure. I really enjoyed that talk and this video. Thanks for posting it. Peace.

What a beautiful soul Jonathan is. Love when he sings in foreign language.

This is the most awesome performance that I've ever seen on KZfaq, the most intimate and detailed interview of Jonathan - I really felt like I was there with you guys and I feel like I have learnt a lot. Now if only both of you, or one of you could come and play in Moscow, Russia. Thank you both for making this happen.

Thank you, Jonathan & Andrew. Jonathan, you didn't know, but you helped me raise my kids. Your music is still helping.

Jonathan Richman's Space Ghost Coast to Coast interview is one of my favorite interviews ever.

You've captured my heart! I love all those blue notes in there.

I love that he mentions the Kinks here, because I adore Jonathan, but I pretty much worship Ray Davies . When Jonathan said “Don’t be a songwriter, just make up songs” , I actually shouted “ YES! “ out loud because that is the way Ive always looked at both of them. Great observers telling stories from the heart.

The Lovin' Spoonful was the first rock n roll band i ever fell in love with...I was 6. And this was in the early 90s. Like, i was born 20 years after their heyday, Yet their music stood the test of time and showed me such beauty. Especially Summer in the City and Coconut Grove. Wonderful to hear another such influence name drop them.

Johnny boy still handsome as ever

The rendition of The Fenway at the start is exquisite. His mature voice suits it perfectly here. Hard to believe he wrote such a reflective song when he was such a young man. He has written so many, it’s hard to pick a favorite or even a top 20, but the Fenway is up there.

The conversation around Hospital and Old World is an unlock god level genius mode cheat code for making and loving music.

Love Jonathan Richman . Such an experience to see him live in the 70’s and 80’s. Hope to see him again.

I've seen both these gentlemen live, several times each, and seeing them together is joyful and painful, dead serious and hilarious. Exquisite, priceless and real. ❤️

LUV YOU JOHNATHAN RICHMAN. IT IS GOOD TO BE UNIQUE

from barcelona...catalunya..."spain" thanks very much for this meeting with JOHNATHAN RICHMAN....WE LOVE HIM IN BARCELONA...CATALUNYA &...SPAIN!! THANKS SLÁINTE!!

I love the part starting at 6:10 "I really cared, more selfishly than that, I just wanted to express myself in front of the audience, and I wanted to have rock music happen... Even more important than the idea, I think, something, an emotion, a feeling to express. That was my reason for doing it. I needed the audience. I cried on their shoulder. The idea was, I was lonely and sad about stuff, and I wanted to tell the world how I felt. And I also felt beauty in things. And the Velvet Underground inspired me that way, so did other people, like the Loving Spoonful, all this beauty I heard in this music, I wanted to try and create a feeling like that in the room."

I'm just discovering Andrew Bird and I find this video of him with my favorite artist of all time. Man! These two need to make an album together!

Saw him in Flagstaff in last October, such an intimate performance. Will always be a treasured memory for all my life

Jonathan is evolving musically and I look forward to his future music. i don't think we are close to his best work. I have played guitar since the 70s and i don't think i would have called myself good till about 10 years ago, when i put down picks and electrics and just played a nylon string and studied classical and 100 year old blues. Hes a very interesting man.

Jonathan is better guitarist that I thought. Great work gentleman.

this is so weird, i only just recently got into both of these guys music, like only in the last week, and completely independently of one another?? And now i find this video its so wild

I never knew this happened! Two of my favorites together. It’s a testament of my absolute respect for Jonathan that I I, a lifelong NYY fan can be so deeply moved by a song about the Fenway.

Recently became really obsessed with Jonathan Richman after hearing The Modern Lovers on Spotify !! He's so great !

dear Jonathan, thank you for your soul, we in Italy love you and we hope you'll came again in Roma. stay well !!

Really interesting and insightful observation Jonathan makes at 54:00 about big crowds. I have absolutely experienced this.

"I am very funny!" I Love Jonathan Richman!

Andrew Bird!! Thank you so much for putting "My Personal Elvis" out there for the modern listener to hear and appreciate. This guy is the greatest thing EVER!!

Oh I love Jonathan so much. No that many people in France know about him so it feels like my own private little secret. You know? Your own private singer that was designed specifically to speak to your heart. When I feel bad or down, I put on "its time for..." (my personal favorite) and jam to "Corner Store" or " just about seventeen" and it always brings a smile to my face .

I saw Johnathan Richman and his band play a small hall in Bristol, England back in the 1980’s. The best live show I ever saw, because he wasn’t just following a known and successful routine. He was actually there in the room with us, not playing at us, so unlike the big famous rock bands whose shows boringly run on rails. Thanks Jonathan.

This is wonderful. Jonathan Richman is one of the heros of my youth,and the way he has been comming of age is so touching and impressive. I am so grateful to have had the chance to be entertained and to have learned so much about life from him. He is a true artist.

cool cool. I love how when they play together it's like a conversation between the violin and guitar

I saw Jonathon Richman live in Birmingham UK back in the Roadrunner days late 70s and he was wonderful. Always lifts my mood. And so cool that he joins the wonderful mind expanding Andrew Bird - big love to you both.

Love Jonathan Richman always.

when I tell you I'm obsessed with this. I AM OBSESSED

Oh Joy! A light in the darkness. Thank you both.

I've never heard of Jonathan Richman up until now but I am so immersed in the beautiful music and conversations these two great musicians have here. And Ravel! The lovely ensemble of violin and guitar is simply mind-blowing! Thanks a million for the whole Great Room Project, Andrew! Thanks a lot for your gorgeous music, Jonathan! 🌹💕💖

Hey Jonathan....many memories from 1970 playing on the Cambridge Common in Harvard Square, and with Danny Peck. Our band had always played before the Modern Lovers..got some good ole photos of all of us. I was always a listener of Ravel.....One night in 1970, I had closed the Oxford Ale House and staggered home to my Winter Hill Somerville apartment. I had placed my favorite musical compassion "BOLERO" on my turn table with my head phones on and passed out. I didn't realize that the player was set on repeat play. Ravel was so correct on his interpretation of his composition that Bolero would be the most memorable 20 minutes of melody. That night I had slept well beyond the sun's rising, and BOLERO has always echoed it's crescendo of melodic intensity throughout my entire life. Barbara and I live in North Truro, and enjoyed seeing you at Payomet ....blessings..till the next time, my brother.

Johnathan is a legend and one of a kind. There would have been no Boston music scene, no Cars, no punk, no new wave without this man’s influence.

I’ve been coming back to this video on and off since it premiered, following Jonathan even longer. I was supposed to see him open for Mac DeMarco back in 2020, but was unfortunately canceled due to the circumstances. For the first time, I saw him live at Zebulon last night. No photography or videos allowed, intimacy and true listening at its highest for this experience. As he was about to walk off after his farewell, he signed my ‘77 copy of Rock n Roll with the Modern Lovers. What a pleasure it was to witness and feel his welcoming, home-like energy at last. Thank you Jonathan.

This rendition of Mistaking Clouds for Mountains is so beautiful.

I love Johnathan but he's absolutely out of his mind which makes his music even more impressive. Possibly a genius. Jr if you read this its a compliment and your likely already 100 percent aware

This episode has a special place in my heart since it first aired in 2017. Thanks for sharing.

This is an incredible conversation. Thank you so much Andrew and Jonathan

Oh wow! I’m a very long time Jonathan fan. Met him several times too. He’s a treasure of a human. And I’m so happy to see him in this context. The conversations are a real dive into how he’s developed his style of the last decade or so. The performances are beautiful too. Thanks so much for sharing this with the world!

man you gotta love this. So inspiring, so much honesty...

❤️Jonathan Richman --- I've been listening to him since the 70's. He' s special and completely genuine. (sagt man das so auf Englisch?) And --- we all have our struggles with the ego...

That was incredible!!! Gonna watch it again.

This is great thanks for having Jonathan Richman on

OMG Two of my fav song writer / performers!!! Thank you!

This was such a stimulating conversation to listen to. Definitely a favorite.

Espetacular encontro e música. Grande JR!

Jonathan Richman belongs to the world of course - but those of us from melancholic, Boston MA truly understand his inner sentiment. We know the lonely looking cattails in the "Fenway", the girl who went to the "Hospital"- (MClean's), riding down the "Highway" (Route 128) ....and drivin' past the "Stop and Shop"!

Just fantastic...

Wow!!! Never expected this 👏👏👏👏🙌

Thank you so much for this. How wonderful to hear you talk about classical music with Richman, one of the most mysterious performers I've ever had the pleasure to see.

One of the most fascinating interviews. Music with immense soul. Loved every moment. Thank you.

Guys, this is one of the most beautiful hours of music and conversation that I've ever seen

This is wonderful, I'll be listening to this over and over for years. Fantastic music.

Love this!

Thank you, Andrew! I've loved Jonathan's music and mystery for years! Great to hear him sing and play and speak of classical music!

My two favorite musicians together!! Love!!

This makes the world make sense...I love it!

Oh man this is pure gold

That was so pleasant, I came here for Jonathan but ended up loving both of them

This was a joy to see and hear, such wonderfully talented performers together, they synched pretty well too. I have loved Jonathon for a long time now, but hadnt heard of Andrew until today when my son sent me thisl Andrew really makes his instrument sing, and Jonathon has an amazing, soulful sound plus his musical ability has really blossomed into something special now. Thank you for this...

I feel so lucky of having seen both of them performing live in Madrid several times, they're two true artists for sure!

thank u Andrew, every session is great... amazed with Richman's music perception

What a gift

Man. How captivating is Jonathan Richman. This was so enjoyable.

(So wonderful and pure.)

Fantastic.

what a fascinating conversation. passionate and intelligent. absolute legends