Peter Mintun Interview by Jen Bush
On September 9th, Joe’s Pub will be presenting a show like no other. Welcome to the wonderful world of The Cockettes! The Cockettes were an avant garde psychedelic hippie theater group founded by Hibiscus (George Edgerly Harris III) in 1969. Their brand of theater was influenced by The Living Theater, John Vaccaro’s PlayHouse of the Ridiculous, the films of Jack Smith and the LSD ethos of Ken Kesey’s Merry Pranksters. The troupe performed all original material, staging musicals with original songs inspired by classic Hollywood movie musicals. They gained an underground cult following that led to mainstream exposure with JOHN WATERS and DIVINE that continues today. You’ll be hearing some wonderful piano melodies that night courtesy of Peter Mintun.
Peter Mintun is a master pianist and music historian. He favors music of the early 1900’s. Born into a musical household, Peter Mintun was already a proficient pianist by the age of three. Growing up he played piano for every conceivable type of performance from parties to silent films at museums. Dignitaries and fellow musicians alike have been fortunate to enjoy Mr. Mintun’s performances. He has played in the most esteemed venues and concert halls including Carnegie Hall. We had the honor and delight of talking to him about his journey as a musician and his experience with The Cockettes.
To paraphrase Mr. Mintun, his history with The Cockettes has been thoroughly documented in interviews with the BBC, Amazon Prime and in three books. The James Hormel Library in the San Francisco Public Library houses documents, recordings and photos pertaining to The Cockettes and deceased founding member, Sylvester.
Mr. Mintun’s musical tastes were a good fit for The Cockettes. “I was 20 when I was asked to play for a Cockettes show. The early shows were so loosely constructed their previous pianist fled and no one could remember his name. The audience’s attention was always on the stage, not the accompaniment, but I was behind the scenes. Even before I was a teen, I was obsessed with old records, sheet music and films. For the Cockette shows, from 1970-1972, I had this rare opportunity to share my 1920s and ‘30s songs with those who appreciated them. The songs worked well, some in hilarious and ironic ways. Before Scrumbly Koldewyn created all-original scores, we dusted off old classics and revived some neglected songs from way before our time. These songs could range from operettas, old movies, vintage Broadway, and Tin Pan Alley. My collection of vintage sheet music was put to use in many shows.”
Sylvester was a founding member of the group. Mr. Mintun shared some memories of Sylvester with us. “I met Sylvester on stage, probably August of 1970, at an early rehearsal at the Palace Theatre in North Beach. He sat next to me on the bench and noodled a little bit on the keys with me. He requested a few songs that I happily played, and he sang. At the time I naively thought Sylvester was a tall girl with short hair covered by a wool cap. On his arms were many 1940s bracelets that clacked when he played the piano. In San Francisco at this time, gender and sexuality were not important to the young gay community. Our audiences were mixed and nobody could tell, or even care, what your orientation was. Later, after someone told me his name I came to my senses. We became a team and exchanged song ideas and worked up some numbers for each show. I would play piano for all the vintage songs, and he would accompany himself on his gospel numbers. For “Pearls Over Shanghai” I collaborated on one bluesy song, “Jaded Lady,” that became almost a theme song for Sylvester, who could channel the legendary torch singers of our parents’ generation: Mamie Smith, Bessie Smith, Lena Horne. It was not unusual for Sylvester to “stop the show.” He took pride in his elegant and flashy costume ideas, and audiences encouraged him to do more, so we had a few outside engagements. Of course, what we did was so far from mainstream, it was clear we could not afford to maintain the old song format. So he and I went in different directions while maintaining a warm friendship until he died. We both became nationally respected in our chosen fields – he with his Hot Band and me with my repertoire of vintage music.”
It’s possible on some level that underground theatre may have influenced commercial theatre. Mr. Mintun weighs in on that topic. “Having been “in” underground theatre, I can’t begin to explain how it influenced commercial theatre. The element of “sexually shocking” theatre was daring fifty years ago, but now everybody has been exposed to it and now nothing is surprising in the theatre except wit and originality.”
On YouTube, Peter Mintun’s Melody Museum currently contains 508 videos of songs mostly from yesteryear. You should check it out and be exposed to music you may have never heard before. “Over a decade ago a friend recommended I make videos of some of my favorite songs for YouTube. My plan was to record a song a day, but that became a little too strenuous, so I tapered off. But I still get messages from around the world thanking me for preserving old songs that are hard to hear anywhere else.”
Mr. Mintun is more than content to preserve the legacy of music from a bygone era. It would behoove you to catch him in one of his rare appearances at Joe’s Pub on September 9th. “I occasionally play a concert or special event (like the twice-annual Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island), but otherwise I spend most of my time doing what I have always loved: researching and playing music from the early 1900s.”
COCKETTES: THE SECOND CUMMING
Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater
Saturday Sept. 9 @ 9:30pm
425 Lafayette St, New York City.
Returning to NYC after a 50-year absence, San Francisco’s legendary, underground-breaking, gender-bending theatrical troupe, The Cockettes, are bringing their bawdy, colorful, cabaret show to Joe’s Pub celebrating the music of original Cockette Scrumbly Koldewyn. Event produced by Dan Karkoska featuring Matt Bratko, Noah Haydon, Kitten on the Keys, Steven Satyricon, Ellie Stokes, Bonni Suval, Birdie Bob Watt and the “original Cockette,” composer and performance artist Scrumbly Koldewyn.
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW
LEARN the history of this Underground-breaking troupe!
Visit them on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM and here’s a SNEAK PEEK
Arts Independent 