Willie Alexander’s Persistence of Memory Orchestra

Willie Alexander, punk music legend, musical innovator, and artistic icon, returns to Music on Meetinghouse Green with his band for a rocking evening. Gloucester’s own Willie ‘Loco’ Alexander shares his legendary talent as a singer, songwriter and keyboardist. With his roots in Boston’s punk rock scene of the 70’s and 80’s, Willie’s musical career has flourished for more than 50 years. Whether as a band member with the Lost, Bagatelle, Grass Menagerie and the post-Lou Reed Velvet Underground, or as front man for his own series of bands, Willie’s enduring popularity is a reflection of his unique musical voice and artistic vision. A true artist, Willie has expanded his work to other mediums including soundtracks for local filmmaker Henry Ferrini, collage and painting.

From Willie's Wikipedia Page:

He played with the Lost, the Bagatelle and the Grass Menagerie before becoming a member of the Velvet Underground in late 1971, joining fellow Grass Menagerie alumni Doug Yule and Walter Powers and replacing Sterling Morrison, who had gone off to pursue an academic career.

With the Velvet Underground, Alexander toured England, Scotland and the Netherlands in support of then-current album Loaded. After completing the tour on November 21, 1971, in Groningen, the band planned to start recording a new album, but band manager Steve Sesnick sent all of the band but Yule home, presumably to retain maximum control of the product (the resulting album was Squeeze, released in 1973) and effectively ending Alexander's time with the band.

After leaving the Velvet Underground, he enjoyed a checkered career, both solo and with his Boom Boom Band, that lasts to this day. In-between, Alexander teamed up with Powers to tour France in 1982 for French punk record label New Rose Records, in 1987 opening for Dramarama and in 2006 for a tour with the legendary Boom Boom band.

Alexander's 1975 single "Kerouac" was covered by Tim Presley on the album The Wink (Drag City, 2016) and his 1980 single "Gin" was covered by Luna on their covers album A Sentimental Education (Double Feature, 2017).

In addition to his storied music career, in 1994, Willie narrated a local film entitled Middle Street made by fellow Gloucester native, independent filmmaker Henry Ferrini. Willie has also contributed many songs to the soundtracks for Henry's other films.