Tom Robinson

Toby Swan, remember Somewhere Over the Rainbow, a great version he did.

Uh, Tom Robinson's version of, uh, Listen to the Radio, Atmospherics, uh, Rough Trade's Bird of- Birds of a Feather.

Japan's Television in there, of course.

John Foxx, Underpass.

music?I think it's as queer life became more accepted by America and, you know, musicians were able to be out, I mean, that's a, that's a big jump.

Because for me, when I started, when I put my feet on the, on the boards for the first time, there was Tom Robinson and Jimmy Somerville, and then lo and behold, Pete Shelley, who was, like, one of my touchstones because that's...

When I saw Pete writing, you know, gender neutral love songs, I was like, "Oh, that's how we can do this." And then we started seeing people who were more out and more political.

And then in the 2000s to see it, you know, as, as, as, you know, American culture got healthier and better, it was funny to me to see a generation of self-identifying queer songwriters writing love songs.

And it's dedicated to our dear friend Joe, and Joe passed away a month ago, and he was the embodiment of a world that heals and using music in that context.

He was someone who, actually, Tom Robinson championed, someone who had a beautiful soul, really incredible songs, and just such a manner about him of, of care and compassion.

And we really wanted to dedicate many of these songs to him because they are inspired by him.

They are taking on his baton.

Northeast Philadelphia.

Who was Tom Robinson and what was the benefit show for? I grew up in Ardmore and noticed this event was at Bonner.

I would love to know more info on this show.

Seems like something Joel Goodhart would have been involved in.

That's my kind of reading on it.

I know this because there's a song by Tom Robinson called Still Loving You.

And it's about... a relationship where the person knows the person will leave at some point, but he's still loving the person in the midst of it.

But underneath it, there's what he calls a gay sensibility.

Big Al is playing it, more and more music, keeping the night alive.

Well, judging by the next record, I think Tom Robinson can count.

2-4-6-8.

Headlight shining, driving rain on the winter's rain Little young lady's daughter's teaching her right And it's a two, four, six, eight, ain't it too late Meet my radio fucking all through the night

Me and my radio drinking all through the night.

Three, five, seven, nine, I'm never white line.

But there ain't no route you can choose to lose the two of us Ain't nobody know when you're acting right or wrong No one knows and we're always leading nowhere the morning light two four six eight never too late me and my radio running through the night three five seven nine i love a white line motorway sound coming up for the morning light motorway sound coming up for the morning light that same old motorway sound coming A Tom Robinson band, 1970s for that one.

We'll be back after the commercial break.

And I was on Asgard and at that time, and I supported everybody on Asgard.

There was some quite ridiculous pairings, but some wonderful ones too, like, you know, Warren Zevon and Tom Robinson, who became a great mentor, incredibly kind, nice man.

Um, And a bunch of other people from that time.

Tanita Tikaram was around that time.