Elliott Murphy

A poetic lyricism is wedded to hard-edged arrangements by Long Island-born, Paris-based singer/songwriter Elliott Murphy. Although none of his songs have reached the Top 40, Murphy's influence is reflected through the music of Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, the Velvet Underground, and Talking Heads. Guests on Murphy's albums have included Shawn Colvin, Phil Collins, Billy Joel, Sonny Landreth, Bruce Springsteen, and members of the Violent Femmes, the Smithereens, Talking Heads, and the Velvet Underground. During Springsteen's 1996 European tour, Murphy was even invited on the stage in Paris to sing an acoustic duet version of his tune "Rock Ballad." Murphy grew up in an upper-middle-class family. His father owned Aqua Show, a water ballet arena on the grounds of the World's Fair in 1939 and 1964. During Murphy's childhood, the arena was the site of big-band concerts by such jazz musicians as Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Acquiring his first guitar at the age of 12, Murphy quickly advanced on the instrument. Within a year, he was playing in his first band. In 1966, Murphy's band the Rapsillions placed first in a New York statewide Battle of the Bands. Together with his brother Matthew, Murphy spent the late '60s in Europe, performing his original tunes in subway stations and street corners. He also had a bit role in Federico Fellini's 1972 film Roma. Returning to the United States in 1973, Murphy formed a band, Elliott Murphy's Aquashow. Performing frequently at New York hot spots, including Max's Kansas City and the Mercer Arts Center, Murphy and the group became associated with the art rock scene that included Patti Smith and the New York Dolls. Although their 1975 debut album, Aquashow, was critically acclaimed, it failed to break through commercially. Murphy's...