28 Comments

I had never heard of Jobraith - so once again your articles are teaching more about music. This was a great read, and I have to say I am consistently impressed by how well researched, written, and presented your articles are. Thanks

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Jun 29, 2023Liked by Brad Kyle

I appreciate the focus on queer artists who broke ground but didn't rise to the level of Bowie, Freddy Mercury etc., Perhaps especially because of homophobia. They deserve to be celebrated and remembered! I had never heard of him but I'm glad I know about him now. Everything we have we owe to our queer predecessors. Thanks for this article!

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founding

Just thought I’d let you know I’ve listened to his self-titled album. The vocal control (especially in Movie Queen and Inside) is impressive. Not to mention the dynamics. He was the complete show. What a talent!!

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Fascinating. I don't remember Jobriath so this is a new story to me. Your point about "openly gay" touches on something important. The world of the arts has always been full of more or less flamboyantly gay or gender-bending men (Michelangelo, anyone? Liberace, many of the stars of New Wave). But mainstream culture could not accept gayness, so just pretended it away. The work adorning the Sistine Chapel, the heart of Catholicism, was put there by a gay man and his students (all boys) many of whom were also his lovers. How's that for cognitive dissonance? College students in the New Wave era were partying down to the Bronski Beat, Erasure and the Smiths while pretending not to know those bands were all fronted by gay men--as obvious as it was. People do weird things to protect their world view, and it's not always pretty. The Nazis loved Mendelssohn's music but tried to exterminate anyone like him. Poor humans. Great article!

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founding

I am glad I am not the only one who wasn’t familiar with his music. The name of course rings a bell, I’m sure I read or heard something at some point, but wouldn’t be able to recognise him. Will revisit once I’ve had a chance to listen a bit more. Amazing coverage, as always, so I’ll know where to start! Thanks!!

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I echo Sherman's comment. Will spend some time listening to the music, then re-enter the conversation Brad!

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Had never heard of Jobriath. What an amazing and tragic story. I'm eager to listen.

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