David Thomas of Pere Ubu Died April 23, Does it Ring a Bell?

The news of David Thomas passing caught up with me today when I read the ‘obituary’ of sorts David Thomas, Who Led the ‘Avant-Garage’ Band Pere Ubu, Dies at 71 by Jon Pareles in New York Times.

I guess you can put David Thomas of Pere Ubu in the column of artists and bands who had a cult following and influenced numerous people but who never got wealthy from their craft.

Jon Pareles notes how prolific his David’s output was with 32 studio albums and more live ones.

If you are like theater you might have made the connection between the name Pere Ubu and the play ‘Ubu Roi’ by Alfred Jarry.

Pere Ubu was formed in Cleveland in 1975.

This quote from Jon Pareles piece tells us what David Thomas life as a creative soul was:

““I don’t think he ever made much money,” Allen Ravenstine, who played synthesizer in Pere Ubu’s early lineup and recently recorded with Mr. Thomas again, said in an interview. “He did not live a comfortable life. He was like a laborer digging a trench. He went to work every day and was worn out, and the reward was not great.”

For more on Allen Ravenstine read Fifteen Questions Interview with Allen Ravenstine (Pere Ubu), Teacup and Saucer