See John Cale w/ Mark Lanegan & Ben Gibbard at UCLA Live

The music fans at KCRW are not limited to the music department. Today’s post comes from Beth Topping, who helps run our Fringe Benefits program and our semi-annual pledge drives. She also happens to have a deep love for ‘70’s rock:

John Cale and special guests will take command of UCLA’s Royce Hall for “When Past & Future Collide – Paris 1919 Live.”

Let me tell you why you should not miss this legendary performance.

First, you will be sharing oxygen with a man who was a founding member of The Velvet Underground (yep, that’s Cale’s amped-up, shrieking viola on “Venus in Furs”).

He has collaborated with some of the all-time greats – whether producing the debut albums for **The Stooges and Patti Smith or collaborating with a supernova like Brian Eno.

And, speaking of stars, his influence reaches to the sun and back – if you are a fan of current indie darlings like LCD Soundsystem or Grizzly Bear, this is your opportunity to give John Cale a fervent round of applause and say thanks.

Cale will perform, in its entirety, his masterful 1973 album, Paris 1919. He’ll be joined by members of the UCLA Philharmonia, so expect soaring orchestrations on the beautifully dark “The Endless Plain of Fortune” and the regal title track, “Paris 1919.” I also think he’ll bring the house down with the driving, roots-based “Macbeth,” so bring your earplugs, kiddies.

Special guests include dirge king Mark Lanegan and Death Cab for Cutie’s, Ben Gibbard (who you should also check-out on his recent Jack Kerouac tribute with Jay Farrar, Big Sur, live on KCRW).

Along with Paris 1919, Cale will perform a mix of his contemporary works, which will be a guaranteed auditory adventure. To top it all off, Morning Becomes Eclectic host Jason Bentley, will perform a live DJ set at the after-party to celebrate the launch of UCLA Live’s current season. Whew!

Reservations are now closed for the after party BUT tickets are still available for the show.

See you there!!

— Beth Topping

** Cale produced The Stooges first album but it was too raw for Elektra, so Jac Holzman produced what’s heard on the 1969 album. The Cale versions of the songs are all available on special releases of the album.

Editor’s Note: KCRW DJ Tom Schnabel will be spinning the after party for Dengue Fever when they play UCLA Live on Friday, November 12.