Len Chandler
Encyclopedia
Len Hunt Chandler, Jr. better known as Len Chandler, is a folk
musician
from Akron
, Ohio
.
at age 8. Studying classical music
in his early teens, he learned to play the oboe
so he could join the high school band, and during his senior year joined the Akron Symphony Orchestra
. He eventually earned his B.A. in Music Education from the University of Akron
, moved to New York City
, and received an M.A. from Columbia University
.
By the early 1960s, Chandler began to get involved in the Civil Rights Movement
. He sang at demonstrations and rallies, and won a reputation as a protest song
writer. One of his most famous songs was "Beans in My Ears
", which was covered by the Serendipity Singers, as well as Pete Seeger
. He also served as one of the original crew members of Seeger's CLEARWATER organization in working to save the environment around the Hudson River Valley.
Chandler was also a performer in the traveling anti-war troupe F.T.A.
, which was organized by Jane Fonda
in 1971. With Holly Near
and Rita Martinson, the group toured the United States and bases throughout the Pacific Rim. The travels were filmed, however the documentary was pulled from theatres a week after its release due to the controversy surrounding Fonda's visit to Hanoi.
After penning topical material related to the Original Black Panther Party
, he began writing three topical songs a day for the KRLA
radio program, The Credibility Gap
, which released some of his songs, including "Soul in Ice", on their record An Album Of Political Pornography. At KRLA
he also wrote and recorded the short theme song "The Chronicles of Pop" for the Pop Chronicles
radio program. In the early 1970s, he formed the Alternative Chorus-Songwriters Showcase to promote new talent. He moved to Los Angeles
in the mid-1970s.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
from Akron
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
.
Biography
He showed an early interest in music and began playing pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
at age 8. Studying classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
in his early teens, he learned to play the oboe
Oboe
The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. In English, prior to 1770, the instrument was called "hautbois" , "hoboy", or "French hoboy". The spelling "oboe" was adopted into English ca...
so he could join the high school band, and during his senior year joined the Akron Symphony Orchestra
Akron Symphony Orchestra
The Akron Symphony Orchestra is a professional orchestra based in Akron, Ohio. The ASO was founded in 1949. In 2006, the ASO appointed Christopher Wilkins music director.The Akron Symphony Orchestra is operated by the Greater Akron Musical Association...
. He eventually earned his B.A. in Music Education from the University of Akron
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
, moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and received an M.A. from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
.
By the early 1960s, Chandler began to get involved in the Civil Rights Movement
Civil rights movement
The civil rights movement was a worldwide political movement for equality before the law occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980. In many situations it took the form of campaigns of civil resistance aimed at achieving change by nonviolent forms of resistance. In some situations it was...
. He sang at demonstrations and rallies, and won a reputation as a protest song
Protest song
A protest song is a song which is associated with a movement for social change and hence part of the broader category of topical songs . It may be folk, classical, or commercial in genre...
writer. One of his most famous songs was "Beans in My Ears
Beans in My Ears
Beans in My Ears is a song created and sung by protest singer, Len Chandler. It became a hit single when covered by The Serendipity Singers, reaching #30 in June, 1964. Doctors protested that many children were actually putting beans in their ears and so it was banned in some places such as Boston...
", which was covered by the Serendipity Singers, as well as Pete Seeger
Pete Seeger
Peter "Pete" Seeger is an American folk singer and was an iconic figure in the mid-twentieth century American folk music revival. A fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, he also had a string of hit records during the early 1950s as a member of The Weavers, most notably their recording of Lead...
. He also served as one of the original crew members of Seeger's CLEARWATER organization in working to save the environment around the Hudson River Valley.
Chandler was also a performer in the traveling anti-war troupe F.T.A.
F.T.A.
F.T.A. is a 1972 American documentary film starring Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland and directed by Francine Parker.-Overview:Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland and a collection of performers and musicians put together a touring satirical revue to perform at coffeehouses and parks near American army...
, which was organized by Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda is an American actress, writer, political activist, former fashion model, and fitness guru. She rose to fame in the 1960s with films such as Barbarella and Cat Ballou. She has won two Academy Awards and received several other movie awards and nominations during more than 50 years as an...
in 1971. With Holly Near
Holly Near
Holly Near is an American singer-songwriter, actress, teacher, and activist for social change.-Early years:...
and Rita Martinson, the group toured the United States and bases throughout the Pacific Rim. The travels were filmed, however the documentary was pulled from theatres a week after its release due to the controversy surrounding Fonda's visit to Hanoi.
After penning topical material related to the Original Black Panther Party
Black Panther Party
The Black Panther Party wasan African-American revolutionary leftist organization. It was active in the United States from 1966 until 1982....
, he began writing three topical songs a day for the KRLA
KRLA
KRLA is a radio station broadcasting a News/Talk format. Licensed to Glendale, California, USA, it serves the Southern California area. The station is currently owned by Salem Communications.- KIEV :...
radio program, The Credibility Gap
The Credibility Gap
The Credibility Gap was a satirical comedy team comprising Harry Shearer, Richard Beebe, David L. Lander and Michael McKean. Lew Irwin, John Gilliland, Thom Beck, and Len Chandler also performed in their early days...
, which released some of his songs, including "Soul in Ice", on their record An Album Of Political Pornography. At KRLA
KRLA
KRLA is a radio station broadcasting a News/Talk format. Licensed to Glendale, California, USA, it serves the Southern California area. The station is currently owned by Salem Communications.- KIEV :...
he also wrote and recorded the short theme song "The Chronicles of Pop" for the Pop Chronicles
Pop Chronicles
The Pop Chronicles are two radio documentary series which together "may constitute the most complete audio history of 1940s-60s popular music." Both were produced by John Gilliland.-The Pop Chronicles of the 50s and 60s:...
radio program. In the early 1970s, he formed the Alternative Chorus-Songwriters Showcase to promote new talent. He moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in the mid-1970s.
Discography
- 1967 - To Be a Man (ColumbiaColumbia RecordsColumbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
CS 9259) - 1967 - The Lovin' People (Columbia CS 9553 - stereo, CL 2753 - mono)
- 1968 - An Album Of Political Pornography, with Lew Irwin and The Credibility Gap (Blue Thumb)