Kipp Lennon
Encyclopedia
Christopher "Kipp" Lennon (born March 12, 1960 in Venice, California
) is an American
musician, and a founding member of the folk rock
band Venice
. His role in the band includes performing as a lead vocalist and guitarist.
. The explanation he gives for his nickname
is: '"When I was brought home from the hospital as a brand new baby, March 1960, everyone was calling me 'Chrissy', like people do with newborns. You add an "e" or "y" or whatever to their name as an instant nickname. Okay, so my brother Joe was 3 years old and he couldn't say "Chrissy", and kept saying "Kippy". My brother Dan, who was ten, thought that was hilarious, and from that day on, literally my first day at home, I was dubbed Kippy, never to be called Christopher again except by doctors, teachers, cops, and my mom if she was mad at me."
When Kippy Lennon was nine years old, he and his family endured the shooting death of their father, William. Chet Young, a stalker
who believed himself to be married to Kipp's sister Peggy (of The Lennon Sisters
) felt that the father stood in the way and had to be eliminated. Lying in wait, Young shot him in the parking lot of the Marina Del Rey golf course and two months later used the same gun to commit suicide
. The family later discovered an unopened letter having a cutout of Mr. Lennon, a picture of a gun pointed at his head, and the words "High Noon" (the time of the murder) (source Dr. Doreen Orion, I Know You Really Love Me).
Kipp plays the guitar
and writes songs for the band Venice
, with whom he has released 13 albums and other works since 1986. He also sings for Pine Mountain Logs, a band containing many of the members of Venice and playing only cover versions of rock
songs.
He performed with the rest of the band on their live DVD, "Venice, Live at the Royal Carre Theater." Additionally, Lennon released one solo album, "Boom Boom Party" (CBS
/Sony
), in 1987.
Lennon sang with David Crosby
on his solo album Thousand Roads
, and also performed vocals for the song "Suspension," which was the main title
of the movie and TV series versions of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
.
Lennon is the younger brother of the popular female quartet The Lennon Sisters
, who rose to fame on The Lawrence Welk Show
and continued a successful singing career in the subsequent decades.
, "Turn up the Radio", "All Day, All Night", and "One Step Closer".
: in the episode "Stark Raving Dad
", although Michael Jackson
(credited as "John Jay Smith") performed the speaking part of Leon Kompowski, a character who pretended he was Michael Jackson, Lennon sang the songs because Jackson wanted to play a joke on his brothers and fool them into thinking the impersonator was him. Most notably he sang the song "Lisa, It's Your Birthday," written by Jackson within the episode. He also provides Jackson's singing voice in The Jacksons: An American Dream
.
Lennon also sang the songs "Flaming Moe's" (a spoof of the theme song from the TV series Cheers
) in the episode "Flaming Moe's
", "The Sound of Grandpa" from "Lady Bouvier's Lover
", and "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" from "Duffless
". He sang the original song "I'm Checking In" featured in the Betty Ford
musical in "The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson
".
In addition to "The Simpsons", Lennon voiced Michael Jackstone on The Flintstone Kids
' Just Say No Special, and various roles in The Story of Santa Claus, The Fall Guy
, Eight Is Enough
, and the TV series of Herbie the Love Bug.
Lennon also sang the theme songs to C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D.
and the theatrical pilot of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
.
Lennon sang "Secret Agent Man" in the movie Can't Buy Me Love
.
He also sang for the actor John Scott Clough in the Sidney Poitier
-directed dance/musical film Fast Forward.
Starting September 2010, Lennon toured singing backup vocals in Roger Waters' The Wall.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician, and a founding member of the folk rock
Folk rock
Folk rock is a musical genre combining elements of folk music and rock music. In its earliest and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and the UK around the mid-1960s...
band Venice
Venice (band)
Venice was started in Venice, California in 1977 by cousins Michael Lennon and Kipp Lennon . Michael's brother Mark joined the band in 1978, followed by Kipp's brother Pat in 1980. Kipp and Pat are two of eleven siblings, and are younger brothers of the Lennon Sisters...
. His role in the band includes performing as a lead vocalist and guitarist.
Family
The son of William and Isabelle Lennon, Lennon's given name is ChristopherChristopher (name)
Christopher is the English version of a Europe-wide name derived from the greek name Χριστόφορος . The constituent parts are Χριστός, "Christ" and φέρειν , "bear": the "Christ bearer" or "the one who bears Christ ". The name originates in the Christian legend of St...
. The explanation he gives for his nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
is: '"When I was brought home from the hospital as a brand new baby, March 1960, everyone was calling me 'Chrissy', like people do with newborns. You add an "e" or "y" or whatever to their name as an instant nickname. Okay, so my brother Joe was 3 years old and he couldn't say "Chrissy", and kept saying "Kippy". My brother Dan, who was ten, thought that was hilarious, and from that day on, literally my first day at home, I was dubbed Kippy, never to be called Christopher again except by doctors, teachers, cops, and my mom if she was mad at me."
When Kippy Lennon was nine years old, he and his family endured the shooting death of their father, William. Chet Young, a stalker
Stalking
Stalking is a term commonly used to refer to unwanted and obsessive attention by an individual or group to another person. Stalking behaviors are related to harassment and intimidation and may include following the victim in person and/or monitoring them via the internet...
who believed himself to be married to Kipp's sister Peggy (of The Lennon Sisters
The Lennon Sisters
The Lennon Sisters are a singing group consisting of four siblings: Dianne , Peggy , Kathy , and Janet . They were all born in Los Angeles, California of German/Irish and Mexican ancestry. The original quartet were the eldest four in a family of twelve siblings...
) felt that the father stood in the way and had to be eliminated. Lying in wait, Young shot him in the parking lot of the Marina Del Rey golf course and two months later used the same gun to commit suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
. The family later discovered an unopened letter having a cutout of Mr. Lennon, a picture of a gun pointed at his head, and the words "High Noon" (the time of the murder) (source Dr. Doreen Orion, I Know You Really Love Me).
Music
Venice was founded in 1977; the band was initially founded by him and his cousin Michael Lennon. The following year Michael's brother Mark joined, with Kipp's brother Pat joining later by 1980. Since that time, the two pairs of cousins have performed and released albums, in 1978 sharing lead vocals with his cousin Michael Lennon, in 1977 by cousins Michael and Kipp Lennon.Kipp plays the guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and writes songs for the band Venice
Venice (band)
Venice was started in Venice, California in 1977 by cousins Michael Lennon and Kipp Lennon . Michael's brother Mark joined the band in 1978, followed by Kipp's brother Pat in 1980. Kipp and Pat are two of eleven siblings, and are younger brothers of the Lennon Sisters...
, with whom he has released 13 albums and other works since 1986. He also sings for Pine Mountain Logs, a band containing many of the members of Venice and playing only cover versions of rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
songs.
He performed with the rest of the band on their live DVD, "Venice, Live at the Royal Carre Theater." Additionally, Lennon released one solo album, "Boom Boom Party" (CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
/Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
), in 1987.
Lennon sang with David Crosby
David Crosby
David Van Cortlandt Crosby is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. In addition to his solo career, he was a founding member of three bands: The Byrds, Crosby, Stills & Nash , and CPR...
on his solo album Thousand Roads
Thousand Roads
Thousand Roads is the third solo album released by David Crosby, a founding member of Crosby, Stills, and Nash. It was released in 1993 .-Track listing:#"Hero" – 4:39...
, and also performed vocals for the song "Suspension," which was the main title
Main Title
The main title is the name given on soundtrack albums to the music that is heard in a film while the opening credits are rolling. It does not refer to music playing from on-screen sources such as radios, as in the original opening credits sequence in Touch of Evil.A main title can consist of a tune...
of the movie and TV series versions of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV series)
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is an American science fiction adventure television series produced by Universal Studios. The series ran for two seasons between 1979–1981, and the feature-length pilot episode for the series was released as a theatrical film several months before the series aired....
.
Lennon is the younger brother of the popular female quartet The Lennon Sisters
The Lennon Sisters
The Lennon Sisters are a singing group consisting of four siblings: Dianne , Peggy , Kathy , and Janet . They were all born in Los Angeles, California of German/Irish and Mexican ancestry. The original quartet were the eldest four in a family of twelve siblings...
, who rose to fame on The Lawrence Welk Show
The Lawrence Welk Show
The Lawrence Welk Show is an American televised musical variety show hosted by big band leader Lawrence Welk. The series aired locally in Los Angeles for four years , then nationally for another 27 years via the ABC network and first-run syndication .In the years since first-run syndication...
and continued a successful singing career in the subsequent decades.
Film
Although Kipp Lennon did not appear in the Disney movie Double Switch, he did perform the vocals for the songs used in the soundtrackSoundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
, "Turn up the Radio", "All Day, All Night", and "One Step Closer".
Television roles
Lennon has contributed to several episodes of The SimpsonsThe Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
: in the episode "Stark Raving Dad
Stark Raving Dad
"Stark Raving Dad" is the first episode of the third season of American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on September 19, 1991...
", although Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
(credited as "John Jay Smith") performed the speaking part of Leon Kompowski, a character who pretended he was Michael Jackson, Lennon sang the songs because Jackson wanted to play a joke on his brothers and fool them into thinking the impersonator was him. Most notably he sang the song "Lisa, It's Your Birthday," written by Jackson within the episode. He also provides Jackson's singing voice in The Jacksons: An American Dream
The Jacksons: An American Dream
The Jacksons: An American Dream is a five-hour American miniseries broadcast in two halves on ABC and originally broadcast on November 15 through November 18, 1992...
.
Lennon also sang the songs "Flaming Moe's" (a spoof of the theme song from the TV series Cheers
Cheers
Cheers is an American situation comedy television series that ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993. It was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television for NBC, and was created by the team of James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles...
) in the episode "Flaming Moe's
Flaming Moe's
"Flaming Moe's" is the tenth episode of The Simpsons third season. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 21, 1991. In the episode, Homer tells Moe Szyslak of a secret alcoholic cocktail that includes cough medicine and fire that he calls "Flaming Homer"...
", "The Sound of Grandpa" from "Lady Bouvier's Lover
Lady Bouvier's Lover
"Lady Bouvier's Lover" is the twenty-first episode of The Simpsons fifth season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on May 12, 1994. In the episode, Grampa Simpson falls in love with Marge's mother, Jacqueline Bouvier, and they start dating. However, on a night out in town,...
", and "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" from "Duffless
Duffless
"Duffless" is the sixteenth episode of The Simpsons fourth season and originally aired on the Fox network on February 18, 1993. After getting arrested for drunk driving, Homer tries to remain sober, at Marge's request. Meanwhile, Lisa attempts to prove that Bart is dumber than a hamster after he...
". He sang the original song "I'm Checking In" featured in the Betty Ford
Betty Ford Center
The Betty Ford Center , is a non-profit, separately licensed residential chemical dependency recovery hospital in Rancho Mirage, California, that offers inpatient, outpatient, and day treatment for alcohol and other drug addictions as well as prevention and education programs for family and children...
musical in "The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson
The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson
"The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson" is the first episode of The Simpsons ninth season, and premiered on September 21, 1997 on Fox. The episode sees the Simpson family traveling to Manhattan to recover the family car, which was taken by Barney Gumble and abandoned outside the World Trade Center...
".
In addition to "The Simpsons", Lennon voiced Michael Jackstone on The Flintstone Kids
The Flintstone Kids
The Flintstone Kids is a 30-minute animated television series spin-off of The Flintstones which followed the adventures of Fred, Barney, Wilma, and Betty as children with their pet Dino.-Premise:...
' Just Say No Special, and various roles in The Story of Santa Claus, The Fall Guy
The Fall Guy
The Fall Guy is an American action/adventure television program produced for ABC and originally broadcast from November 4, 1981 to May 2, 1986. It starred Lee Majors, Douglas Barr, and Heather Thomas. Majors and Barr are the only two actors to appear in all 112 episodes of the series...
, Eight Is Enough
Eight Is Enough
Eight Is Enough is an American television comedy-drama series which ran on ABC from March 15, 1977 until August 29, 1981. The show was modeled after syndicated newspaper columnist Thomas Braden, a real-life parent with eight children, who wrote a book with the same name...
, and the TV series of Herbie the Love Bug.
Lennon also sang the theme songs to C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D.
C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D.
C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D. is a 1989 comedy horror film, directed by David K. Irving, written by M. Kane Jeeves and stars Brian Robbins, Tricia Leigh Fisher and Bianca Jagger.-Plot:...
and the theatrical pilot of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV series)
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is an American science fiction adventure television series produced by Universal Studios. The series ran for two seasons between 1979–1981, and the feature-length pilot episode for the series was released as a theatrical film several months before the series aired....
.
Lennon sang "Secret Agent Man" in the movie Can't Buy Me Love
Can't Buy Me Love (film)
Can't Buy Me Love is a 1987 teen comedy feature film starring Patrick Dempsey and Amanda Peterson in a story about a nerd at a high school in Tucson, Arizona who gives a cheerleader $1,000 to pretend to be his girlfriend for a month. The film was directed by Steve Rash.-Plot:Ronald Miller is a...
.
He also sang for the actor John Scott Clough in the Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier
Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE is a Bahamian American actor, film director, author, and diplomat.In 1963, Poitier became the first black person to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field...
-directed dance/musical film Fast Forward.
Starting September 2010, Lennon toured singing backup vocals in Roger Waters' The Wall.