The Incredible String Band's Licorice McKechnie.
Muldoon
All members of the Incredible String Band long ago exited Scientology.
Amongst their record albums, 'The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter', 'Big
Huge', and "Wee Tam', along with the single, 'First Girl I Loved', by
lead male vocalist and songwriter/lyricist Robin Williamson, are
perhaps best remembered.
The ISB's involvement with Scientology at first enhanced, and then
diminished, their creative output; as the Scientology influence
increased, their unique strangeness was subjected to being "handled" as
an "aberration."
Finally, fortunately, the unique strangeness would resurge and be
triumphant.
Interestingly, Bent Corydon, author of the book 'L. Ron Hubbard,
Messiah or Madman?' (1987, 1992, 1996) was Robin Williamson's auditor
(counselor) for the (introductory level) "Lower Grades" at St. Hill
Manor, in England, in the 1960s.
Howard
Much obliged - jolly good link.
regards
Howard
--
hedmundoatmacmaildotcom
Out_Of_The_Dark
That was beautiful! I noticed that there are many other youtube videos
on the band itself and that is good to see. It's collectively agreed by
many and documented on the internet, too, that involvement with
scientology caused the demise of the group at it's height of
success.See 665 google links on the internet about them & the cult:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Scientology+%22Incredible+String+Band%22&btnG=Google+Search
moontaco
Thanks for posting this. In reading old issues of Celebrity I've seen
them mentioned a number of times, and I wondered if the members were
still in. Do you know if any of them have ever spoken publicly about
why they left?
moontaco
Out_Of_The_Dark
moontaco wrote:
> Muldoon wrote:
>
Have any members of Incredible String Band aka ISB publicly spoken?
One apparently has. Look below for the group's comemnts.Maybe we can
get them posting here, lol! ;)
Rose Simpson apparently did per: 'Celebrity Critics of Scientology'
"Simpson, Rose (Singer - Incredible String Band): "Rose left LRH's
cohorts behind years ago and, in her present capacity as mayoress of
Aberystwyth, revealed in a recent interview how Scientology had
narrowed the band's view of the world and how damaging that had been
to their music." - Joe Boyd, quoted in _A Mind-Bending Experience_,
The Guardian Weekend, January 4 1997, pp 18-22.
http://www.factnet.org/Scientology/celebcrit.html
Information was found on their own or other sites but inparticular,
there are comments on their home page and myspace page which they
haven't disputed. This is what is up on their MYSPACE page. It is also
a part of a press article on their makingtime wepage, 2nd link just
below this quote:
"Next up was a double album Wee Tam & The Big Huge (note that this was
reissued on CD with the UK edition two single albums). By this stage
Mike and Robin had been joined by their girlfriends Rose Simpson and
Licorice (Likky) McKechnie. It is widely argued that this was the peak
of the String Band's creativity and they sparked intermittently after
this. Mike and Robin became involved in scientology and this may have
had the effect of removing the critical element necessary to create the
outstanding music that they were known for. Quite simply, they found it
more difficult to criticise each other's work."
http://www.myspace.com/theincrediblestringband
http://www.makingtime.co.uk/beglad/index1.htm
http://www.makingtime.co.uk/beglad/links.htm ( good up to date info)
The official homepage, which links to makingtime pages
http://www.theincrediblestringband.com/
Mike Heron timeline says " 1983: breaks with Scientology"
(1983? Wow! No explanation needed, lol!)- good site FYI
www.robotwisdom.com/jorn/isb.html
Information and Bookings contact Robin & wife web page:
Robin & Bina Williamson
Pig's Whisker Music
P.O. Box 309
Cardiff
Wales
Tel: 02920 231739
Information and Bookings contact
http://www.pigswhiskermusic.co.uk/
more comments on why they left:
"Robin Williamson maintains that he "never got into it so deeply that I
had a need to get out." Mike Heron calls his long-term involvement
"silly", because he should have seen, "that the control it exercised
over me was stronger than what I could've learned from it."
http://www.lermanet.com/cisar/survey/nq.htm
"Basically, one seems to be allowed to criticise certain things - the
links with Scientology (which have long been severed by Williamson and
Heron)..........."
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Glad-Incredible-String-Compendium/dp/1900924641
The Incredible String Band
kareneliot posted: Wed Jul 24 2002 at 13:25:49
"Later in 1970, ISB put on a stage presentation called U along with
dance troupe Stone Monkey. The music was well-received though the
critics were nearly unanimous in their condemnation of the
dancing/mime. ISB released a double album of the music. Sometime during
this period, the band was becoming involved in Scientology. Later, Mike
Heron was to disavow his involvement, though he did credit the religion
with getting his personal life together. Though he claimed that
Scientology taught the group to communicate their message more clearly,
critics and fans didn't seem to find this to be the case on U; while
the songs are interesting and enjoyable, their "message" is anything
but clear." http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=700876
What is so nice is at least part of the original band is back together!
You can hear some of their music on the myspace link.Noticebly
unmentioned was Licorice, & I think it might be so because she used to
go with Williamson when she was in the ban. He is now married many
years to the woman who has since replaced her in the band.
Eldon
On yet another historical note, I can remember going to an ISB concert
in Berkeley back in the 1970s (with Indian classical music fans no
less). Outside the auditorium Scientologists were handing out fliers to
people in line touting the affiliation. Somebody in front of me said,
"I don't care what weird stuff they're into, but I like their music
anyway."
In the end, art always transcended L. Ron Hubbard. He didn't know shit
about it. Couldn't even write a halfway decent book. Never, ever.
>
> moontaco
moontaco
Thanks for all the info! I hadn't tried looking for anything about
them; I guess my curiosity was a little *too* idle.
mt
banchukita
IIRC, Licorice is MIA - vanished in the late 1980s in western US?
-maggie, human being
>
> moontaco
Eldon
1983 was a bit toward the late end of the cusp, but anytime was a good
time to break with Scientology!
Artists of whatever stripe, ESCAPE NOW! Scientology will destroy your
inherent abilities in whatever field. Just look at Battlefield Earth
and consider the state of Hollywood today, what with the Tom Cruise
meltdown.
Consolation: There will always be hope, but it might take years to
recover from L. Ron Hubbard's bogus special effects mindfuck. The
longer you stay in, the more his teachings will degrade your artistic
abilities! Retain and rebuild them while you still can.
If you don't believe me, just look at what happened to Isaac Hayes in
the second South Park episode and see for yourself. That was less of a
metaphor than you thought ;-)
Skipper
Janet Williamson, though, she was still waving the flag with a clam on
it and working with Randy & Cyndie Tobin at Theta Records in Burbank.
In article <1159208624.8...@i3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>,
ewsnead
"Eldon" <Eldo...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1159209597.3...@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
I saw them at a modestly sized, Washington DC club in the spring of 1973
known as the Cellar Door. This was during the *Earthspan*, Malcolm LeMaistre
days. The band mermbers handed out calling cards after the performance. On
each card were autographs of then current band members (Mike, Robin, the
remaining female member) as well as the odd query, "Would you like to know
what made this concert a *real* concert?" This was followed by a phone
number that hooked you to a representative from clam central in Washington,
otherwise still known as the Founding Church of Scientology. I wish I'd
saved the card, but I dumpstered it along with an assortement of other
Scientology junk, including some early 1960's hardbound editions of clam
texts.
ewsnead
bb
Muldoon wrote:
>
> The ISB's involvement with Scientology at first enhanced, and then
> diminished, their creative output; as the Scientology influence
> increased, their unique strangeness was subjected to being "handled" as
> an "aberration."
I was on course with members of ISB in london in the sixties.
Chatted with
I think Licorice a few times. She was lovely. Must have been Rose who
became Mayor of a city in Wales UK. Was a long UK sunday supplement
article on that . You can post that?
Back then COS was not what it is now. What evidence have you that
their
creativity was " handled".
The amazing thing was that such strange original music made the
charts. Not that it didn't stay there.
Pre CC. They were big celebs. Just on course like the rest of us.
bb
bb
Muldoon
As I may have mentioned, I think most of the ISB benefited from their
*early* involvement with "Scientology" - as paying
public/"celebrities". (Around 1967/68, approximately.)
I first attended an ISB concert at the 'Fillmore East' theater in New
York in the summer of 1969.
The decline in creativity began with Robin Williamson doing the
'Clearing Course', and went into a nose-dive around the time he did "OT
3."
It was painful to watch, although at the time I didn't understand it.
What the ISB had regarded as their creative imaginations was now
presented to them as "R6 Bank/Implant Dramatization."
Listen to 'Big Huge' and 'Wee Tam'; listen to the song 'Maya', and
other songs - They are loaded with what Scientology calls "mixing
practices."
And even their later ISB albums featured what many considered barely
acceptable forms of "squirreling."
Around 1971/72 what remained of the ISB were having their "ethics put
in," and being told to "get with the program." It was done subtly - no
screaming or yelling, but it was done.
The strange magical-mystical references all disappeared.
When I last saw Robin Williamson perform, he was alone, in a nightclub
in Greenwich Village. It was 1979, and it was startling to see. The
Magic was totally gone. There were only "safe" folk songs and ballads,
and when he was done performing - to an audience of about 100 - Robin
stood at the small bar at the side of the club, completely alone, and
had one beer. Not one person went over to say hello. I felt like asking
him, "What happened?" but remained seated with the rest.
I think we were all quietly stunned, yet also in different stages of
denial.
I was only *very* distantly a "Scientologist" by that time, and -
although I didn't realize it - had began what would be a years long
discovery and sorting out process. Foolishly, at that time, I thought,
in the back of my mind, that I could still have some kind of
involvement with "Scientology," but, of course, it was an
impossibility. I had already began to de-code the Hubbardian puzzle,
and there would be no turning back.
Many of the people in the audience were, I think, Scientologists. There
were several Mission Holders there, and others.
Outside, as we were leaving, I encountered an old acquaintance - the
fellow who had been the New York Org "Academy" Supervisor years
earlier. Jokingly, I held up a book that I had purchased just before
attending the Robin Williamson performance. It was an interesting but
completely harmless paperback titled, 'Psychic Phenomena in Sports'.
(About extraordinary - seemingly "paranormal" - occurrences at sporting
events, etc.) His reaction was to *cringe in fear*. MIXING
PRACTICES!!!! OH NO!!!!!!!
I shrugged it off and went on my way. But something was very very wrong
and - deep down - I knew it.
And I think Robin Williamson knew it too - even then - as did the
polite but quietly stunned audience. We knew something was wrong, but
we didn't know what.
For someone as spiritually and aesthetically perceptive and sensitive
as Robin Williamson, Hubbard's dark and paranoid Implant cosmology was
poison.
He drank the poison and it numbed him for years. And why did he drink
it? Because he was a noble and good person who thought this was *the
way* - not only for himself, but *for others*. (And remember that he
was not able to see any of this material until the instant that he
opened the "confidential folder.")
He had obtained genuine benefit from his early experiences with
Scientology - and as I have also already mentioned, Bent Corydon, had
been his auditor at St. Hill. He presumed, as did many others, that if
the earlier part was good, then the latter part must be better.
That was a mistake.
Did the Scientology Cult, ultimately, "handle" the ISB to their
detriment? *Obviously*.
And not only did it "handle" the ISB's creativity, but their
*strangeness* was also "handled" - with Hubbard's deranged Implant
levels, with stifling "ethics," and all the rest of the mostly "behind
the scenes," but dominant, "dark side" of "Scientology."
And I am delighted that they are now free to be strangely
mystically-magically *incredible* again.
Out_Of_The_Dark
Muldoon wrote:
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=011w7n_-EY8
>
> All members of the Incredible String Band long ago exited Scientology.
>
> Amongst their record albums, 'The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter', 'Big
> Huge', and "Wee Tam', along with the single, 'First Girl I Loved', by
> lead male vocalist and songwriter/lyricist Robin Williamson, are
> perhaps best remembered.
>
> The ISB's involvement with Scientology at first enhanced, and then
> diminished, their creative output; as the Scientology influence
> increased, their unique strangeness was subjected to being "handled" a
>
> Finally, fortunately, the unique strangeness would resurge and be
> triumphant.
>
> Interestingly, Bent Corydon, author of the book 'L. Ron Hubbard,
> Messiah or Madman?' (1987, 1992, 1996) was Robin Williamson's auditor
> (counselor) for the (introductory level) "Lower Grades" at St. Hill
> Manor, in England, in the 1960s. <
Their lives were very involved with the cult at one time or another.
Maggie, are 3 links to much info on Likkie.I think she was one of the
last to leave Scn. She's missing. some say she's dead but no proof.
Look at these links:
The Likkie Shrine ( great pics)
http://www.angelfire.com/biz3/ISB/likkie.html
Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community > Crimes and Trials > COLD CASES >
My "pet" Cold Case...a 60s Folkie gone for 20 years (#153) (great
facts)
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-40373
ISB List 44k posts. 86 Posts regarding 'Likkie'. Williamson told people
she's dead?
ISB · This is a list dedicated to the work of the magical, mystical
Incredible String Band
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/ISB/msearch?query=Likkie&submit=Search&charset=windows-1252
What a legacy. 20 yrs to get over it. These people need to visit ARS.
:)
"1974: last concert May 9 'A Tribute to L. Ron Hubbard' " ?? Next was
in 1994
http://www.robotwisdom.com/jorn/isb.html
"Be Glad For The Song Has No Ending" - ( Why they left Scn- sort
of )
U Turn: Or I'll Teach You to Forget the Truth You Always Knew
By Paul Bryant
Explain Slowly What You Mean
Then, in 1969, even worse, came the S word. Question: When did they get
into Scientology? Joe Boyd: "It was after 'Wee Tam and the Big Huge I
actually introduced them to someone who was into those ideas, I'm
afraid to say." -Sad Groping and Vacuous Handwaving- In fact it was May
1968, as far back as that, after a New York show. But the ISB's
acceptance of scientology was gradual, and the1 did not even become
normal members of the Church until around October or November 1969.
How did Scientology affect the band?..... ( con't & very Interesting)
http://www.makingtime.co.uk/beglad/uturn.htm
_____________________
'Be Glad: An Incredible String Band Compendium' (Paperback)
by Rowan Williams (Foreword), Joe Boyd (Foreword), Adrian Whittaker
(Editor)
Reviews are excellent. Scn is mentioned in one rev of book: "There are
also features on aspects of the Incredible String Band's lives such as
the role of scientology, the numerous different instruments that they
played live and on record and interviews with those whose own lives
encountered those of the String Band."
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product//1900924641
Lastly, How the Cult leeched off the talent of celebrities:
Poetry Anthology of Poets Scientology (L. Ron Hubbard)
GOLDEN HORSES
Poetry for a New Civilization
There is one poem by Likkie and another by Williamson and 30+ others
in this book for sale at ebay.Take a look at this list of poets, lol!
Michael Ingbar is in it, too ;)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Poetry-Anthology-of-Poets-Scientology-L-Ron-Hubbard_W0QQitemZ130018191764QQihZ003QQcategoryZ29223QQcmdZViewItem
I had fun finding all this out. Maybe Likkie or one of the others will
pop up here and tell their story someday.
Out_Of_The_Dark
If you think he was in bad shape spiritually, looks like Licorice aka
'Likkie" had some sort of a breakdown in the 80's after she left and
has not been seen in public for at least 10 yers. Her exhusband was
guitarist Brian Lambert, a scientologist, too, according to those web
pages. Anyone know anything about her time in the cult?
Muldoon
> > discovery and sorting out process. Foolishly, at that time, I thought,
> > in the back of my mind, that I could still have some kind of
> > involvement with "Scientology," but, of course, it was an
If that's the case, then, judging by recent photos, she seems to have
recovered nicely.
Appreciate your digging up all this info. It's another story that needs
to be understood.
moontaco
Thanks for all the links. I had heard of ISB but really knew nothing at
all about them. Of course, the Scientology angle is what interests me
most. I'd like to try to find out more.
For anyone who's interested in this: If you try a link and it's
expired, you can try using the Wayback Machine to access it. I just
found two parts of this story that way. It's at
http://www.archive.org/web/web.php. One of the pieces, by a guy named
Joe Boyd, was last posted to ARS in 1997, so I think I'll repost it.
moontaco
Out_Of_The_Dark
Muldoon, what do you mean by 'recent pictures' ? Everything I've seen
is from the 70's- maybe early 80's. What pics are you talking about?
Below is the most researched information on the net about her. I
worked, FSM'd and volunteered for both CCNYearly and CC Int in the 80's
and she was not around as public, to my knowledge.Do you know something
different? Post where you found pics, as I am curious.
Did you read this before? It's very disconcerting.And who is Dr.
Doogie? , lol! -Mary
_________________________
Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community > Crimes and Trials > COLD CASES
My "pet" Cold Case...a 60s Folkie gone for 20
06-14-2006, 07:05 PM
iconoclast
I reject your reality and substitute my own. Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Where the rainbow ends
Posts: 8
My "pet" Cold Case...a 60s Folkie gone for 20 years
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello all...like most of us I think, I got hooked on cold cases after
running across Cali on the Net (more about her later, perhaps). But
this one is my running obsession, and while I've just begun, here is
what I have so far...
Where is Licorice?
Her name was Christina, but people called her "Licorice." Friends
and family members described her as a lovely young woman, with a unique
combination of strength and innocence. Her fans say she was a talented
singer/songwriter. Others, that she was a wanna-be and a victim of the
social change that came after the 60s. And that's all anyone knows
for sure.
We also know that she's been missing for nearly 20 years.
Today, only the true aficionado of 1960s popular music remembers the
Incredible String Band. But in 1967, they were on the cutting edge of
the folk revival then going on in the UK. Led by Robin Williamson and
Mike Heron, ISB's folk-rock sound and creative songwriting
"practically defined the hippie culture," according to
Wikipedia's entry on the band.
In mid-1967, Williamson invited his then-girlfriend, Christina
"Licorice" McKechnie, to join the band as harpist/keyboardist and
singer. Like many musicians of that era, Licorice learned her
instruments as she performed and was often inexpert in her playing.
Soon, however, her vocals gave the band a new stage presence. When
Licorice started writing her own songs, the ISB sound began to gel.
In 1969, ISB was set to take America by storm. Then they played a short
set at Woodstock...and were so badly received by the rocker audience
that their performance was left off the album and out of the
documentary film. Also around this time, the key band members were
introduced to Scientology® while in New York. Williamson and Heron
became devout Scientologists®. There are conflicting stories about
whether Licorice also converted, but the consensus-and evidence from
her later song lyrics and bandmember accounts-is that she did. Then,
the band's "epic" double album and elaborate tour, known simply
as U, bombed. Tension between the band members increased. The band's
song lyrics increasingly revolved around Scientology philosophy and
jargon. ISB made several more records, but the writing was on the wall.
Following her breakup with Williamson, Licorice left the band in 1972.
By 1974, there was no more Incredible String Band.
Everything that is known about Licorice from this point is shrouded in
myth. She had a boyfriend named David Zimian and is said to have
performed with him for a while in Woody Woodmansey's band U-Boat,
though neither Zimian nor Licorice appear on the credits for the
band's sole album. A Google search on Zimian turned up only his
connection to Licorice, and the fact that in 1976 a David Zimian was
ordained as a minister in Scientology. According to the church Web
site, Woodmansey also is now a Scientology minister.Licorice moved to
Los Angeles within a few years after leaving ISB. The year may have
been 1976 or 1977, but this is uncertain. There are anonymous reports
that she worked as a waitress and coatroom attendant while occasionally
performing in bars. At some point she married Brian Lambert, who played
guitar in Robin Williamson's new band. (However, a check of
California marriage records revealed nothing). She performed with
Lambert on Williamson's solo album in 1977 under the name "Likky
Lambert."
The 1980s brought profound change to many people, and Licorice was no
exception. She and Lambert were divorced around this time. By all
available accounts, the divorce was a friendly one. In fact, Licorice
and Lambert remained in contact.Then they were not.
The year is not certain. Most Web site accounts say Licorice left Los
Angeles in 1987. A few have her living in Arizona two years later, and
two in Sacramento after that. One source claims she had a history of
depression. In any case, she has not been seen or heard from since the
late 1980s.We know that Christina McKechnie was born in Scotland. She
pronounces her first name "Christ-EYE-nah." She was in her late
teens when she joined the band, which would put her birth year around
1950. She also went by the nickname "Likky." Other than that, what
is remarkable is that so little is known. Her name is often misspelled
"McKenzie," which further complicates things.
Many people still remember the delicate-looking young woman who sang in
ISB. She has a sister who has tried to find her over the years. Many
would like to find her, but her trail (if any) has long gone cold. She
is said to be on LAPD's Missing Persons list, but this information is
not on the LAPD Web site, and detectives are reluctant to speak with
civilian amateurs. Former ISB members Williamson and Heron recently
re-formed the band for a reunion tour, but neither has heard from
Licorice. The closest the band has to an official Web site makes little
mention of her. Her royalties remain unclaimed.The 1960s and early 70s
were a time of great social change. Many young people took to the road
in journeys of self-discovery. Many of them were never heard from
again. But most were not musicians with a substantial cult following.
Is there a Scientology connection to Licorice's disappearance? It is
not my intent to allege any wrongdoing by the Church of Scientology®.
However, the sheer number of connections means that any inquiry into
Licorice's disappearance must include an inquiry of the place of
Scientology in her life. According to the band's unofficial Web site,
Licorice was the first band member to "go clear"™ or complete the
first level of the Church's training. She is also said to have been
disillusioned with the Church's teachings early on. Williamson and
Heron allegedly left Scientology in the early 80s, but there is
conflicting information regarding this. According to Church Web pages,
Williamson's wife Bina completed a Scientology "rundown"™ in
1990. A check of the Church's Web site turned up references to Zimian
and Woodmansey, but no mention of Licorice under any of her names.
Some examples of the sketchy information available online:
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=8816
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/ISB/ Search the group on "Licorice
(or Likky) missing"
http://www.angelfire.com/biz3/ISB/likkie.html
Ironically, another Scottish folk singer, Shelagh McDonald, who
vanished in 1973, recently walked into a newspaper office and granted
an interview. She had, she said, feared the pressure that goes with
fame and just wanted to get away.
Any interest in this case?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by iconoclast : 06-14-2006 at 07:43 PM. Reason:
Clarification
6-15-2006, 12:03 PM
Dr. Doogie
Doctor of Music Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Northern California
Posts: 826
This may be a situation of her disappearing by choice, which raises the
question of the ethics of trying to find her. If she was very active in
the CoS and then became disillusioned with the religion, there are a
multitude of reasons that she may disappear. It is common for the CoS
to have members sign contracts for the payment of fees for classes that
the church offers, often endebting the members for hundreds of
thousands of dollars. If she had been active for a long time and had
accumulated these "obligations", it would be to her advantage to
disappear and break of all contact with her fellow Scientologists so
the church could not find and harrass her for payment.
Iconoclast, a question for you (and forgive my paranoia): I noticed
that your posts contain the trademarks that Scientology uses to try and
control the dissemenation of their beliefs - it is used to prevent
critics from using the CoS's own words to expose what they believe.
What, if any, affilliation do you have with the CoS or any of their
related groups? If you are a member, that does not neccessarily negate
your sincerity in finding this woman, but when dealing with the CoS,
truth-in-advertising is a neccessary precaution.
Dr. Doogie - A Suppressive Person, and proud of it!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
06-15-2006, 03:19 PM
Dr. Doogie
Doctor of Music Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Northern California
Posts: 826
Quote:
Originally Posted by iconoclast
I have and have always had zero affiliation with that group or any of
its subgroups. Not my thing. I inserted the copyright symbol because
they are notorious for calling anyone and everyone on "copyright
violations."
Fair enough. In the same way that you are covering-your-rear, I just
wanted to make sure mine was covered too. All is good.
A friend of mine experienced exactly the scenario that I described as a
hypothetical above. He disappeared for a few years until the church
lost interest in finding him.
The CoS is notorious for being a "church" when it suits their
interests, yet acting like a business when it is to their advantage.
Disappearing is a common thing for disgruntled ex-members to do if they
do not feel emotionally strong enough to fight them toe-to-toe.
06-16-2006, 07:45 PM
iconoclast
I reject your reality and substitute my own. Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Where the rainbow ends
Posts: 8
They also have a subgroup known as RPF (Wiki it)...it's their gulag.
Now, I'm not saying that some people "disappear" into that
organization. But then again, I'm not saying they don't.
Out_Of_The_Dark
moontaco, You're welcome :)
I, too am very interested about the scientology end of things. I just
posted more info in response to muldoon's post. I forgot to post the
link to the page referenced. Here is is:
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40373
Thanks about the Wab=yBack machine. I used it earlier to catch the Navy
Chaplain site changes to their web page on the purif. Very helpful
link.
FYI, Joe Boyd was the FSM for all these people! He's referenced in
several places on the making time pages, discussing having gotten them
in. He was the one who arranged for them to go to & play at Woodstock,
where they met many of the top players of that time. I am curious about
him, too and it is good to see that he posted here in 1997. Maybe we
can get him to post again and fill us in.He's definately get support
for setting the facts straight.
At Woodstock, folk music didn't go over too well but ISB met a member
of the Greatful Dead and he later joined scientology too. I suspect
Boyd or Williamson FSM'd Melanie, as well. That info is also on the web
pages, tho it is not an easy site to find things.
What I do is search the basic keyword 'makingtime.co' along with say,
'Scientology' and then all pages with both word come up. That is how
got the info. There were many links to look. I just took a few.
http://www.makingtime.co.uk/beglad/index1.htm
I recall my first husband saying that he joined scientology because of
their influence in his life. He loved this group. before I met him,
he'd made & played dulcmers and lutes and all sorts of string
instruments and that influence was a part of my life quite a while. I
often wondered why everything was so hush hush about ISB. Let's start
digging ;) =M
Out_Of_The_Dark
I just found this 1997 post from Chris Owen. According to this, he
joined after the band did. So I retract my previous statement as
misinformed. I want to reply to his post or report it because it's a
terrific article.
Former Scn celeb denounces "nightmare" of cult
From: Chris Owen - view profile
Date: Mon, Jan 20 1997 4:00 am
-------------------------
A MIND-BENDING EXPERIENCE
-------------------------
The Guardian Weekend, January 4 1997, pp.18-22
What are the secrets of Scientology? Is its central doctrine - that you
should purge yourself of all emotional baggage - helpful? Joe Boyd was
curious. The band he managed had enrolled with ambiguous results. He
gave
it a try himself and here he describes his life in the Church of L. Ron
Hubbard - and the pervasive paranoia that made him leave........
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.religion.scientology/msg/5a6af928764d503f
Muldoon
Out_Of_The_Dark wrote:
> Muldoon, what do you mean by 'recent pictures' ? Everything I've seen
> is from the 70's- maybe early 80's. What pics are you talking about?
>
> Below is the most researched information on the net about her. I
> worked, FSM'd and volunteered for both CCNYearly and CC Int in the 80's
> and she was not around as public, to my knowledge.Do you know something
> different? Post where you found pics, as I am curious.
>
> Did you read this before? It's very disconcerting.And who is Dr.
> Doogie? , lol! -Mary
> _________________________
> Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community > Crimes and Trials > COLD CASES
> My "pet" Cold Case...a 60s Folkie gone for 20
>
-snip-
About a year ago I received a print out of a photo of the "reunion" of
the original members - and standing next to the original three male
members was what I was told was Licorice. (And I now notice that there
are some similar photos on the Net, without captions.)
And it looked as though it could be her - older and heavier.
Now, looking at it again - I don't know. So you may be right. If so,
then this is very unfortunate news. The woman which I, and at least
some others, thought was Licorice --- Doesn't look like the woman who I
believe is Robin's wife --- The new female singer? possibly - but for
some reason captions have gone out of style here too.
In any event, all sources that I have just now recently examined
indicate the Licorice is missing, and has been so for some time.
If so, then I've some bad news to relay to the person who sent me this
print out photo last year.
Out_Of_The_Dark
You waited this long. Give it a few days before you reply. Check the
band's 2 web sites first. Read the biography, where how they got back
together is discussed..There may have been an reunion before 1994. Also
compare the pics with photos of Williamson's wife Bina, as well as Rose
Simpson, who sang with Likkie. These are the two women in the band now.
Did you read the 1997 article? -Mary
Muldoon
Yes, read the 1997 article. Interesting.
The Licorice situation will just have to be a mystery for now.
banchukita
Out_Of_The_Dark wrote:
> Muldoon wrote:
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=011w7n_-EY8
> >
> > All members of the Incredible String Band long ago exited Scientology.
> >
> > Amongst their record albums, 'The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter', 'Big
> > Huge', and "Wee Tam', along with the single, 'First Girl I Loved', by
> > lead male vocalist and songwriter/lyricist Robin Williamson, are
> > perhaps best remembered.
> >
> > The ISB's involvement with Scientology at first enhanced, and then
> > diminished, their creative output; as the Scientology influence
> > increased, their unique strangeness was subjected to being "handled" a
> > an "aberration."
> >
> > Finally, fortunately, the unique strangeness would resurge and be
> > triumphant.
> >
> > Interestingly, Bent Corydon, author of the book 'L. Ron Hubbard,
> > Messiah or Madman?' (1987, 1992, 1996) was Robin Williamson's auditor
> > (counselor) for the (introductory level) "Lower Grades" at St. Hill
> > Manor, in England, in the 1960s. <
>
> Their lives were very involved with the cult at one time or another.
> Maggie, are 3 links to much info on Likkie.I think she was one of the
> last to leave Scn. She's missing. some say she's dead but no proof.
Thanks for the links, OOTD, this is an interesting story.
I wonder if something happened to her, or if she simply chose to not be
a performer anymore.
-maggie, human being
Skipper
banchukita <banch...@yahoo.com> wrote:
The last time I saw her was in the early 80s. She was in L.A. and was
very troubled, not doing well financially. I think it was when she was
considering leaving the cult. I hope she's done well, she's a nice
enough lady, but she was quite troubled at the time.
moontaco
This is one of the things that concerns me about Celebrity
Scientologists. I know it seems unlikely that someone will get involved
in Scientology just because a favorite actor or musician is, but I
think for some people it does make them consider it when they wouldn't
have otherwise.
moontaco
Out_Of_The_Dark
moontaco, Yes, it concerns me, too. Glad you posted about the article
by Joe Boyd, manager of Incredible String Band. It is a must read! I
wonder who Suzie is........
__________________
From: moontaco - view profile
Date: Mon, Sep 25 2006 10:19 pm
"1997 article detailing Incredible String Band's Scientology
experience--plus an infiltration "
A MIND-BENDING EXPERIENCE By Joe Boyd
The Guardian January 4, 1997
~What are the secrets of Scientology? Is its central doctrine - that
you should purge yourself of all emotional baggage - helpful? Joe Boyd
was curious. The band he managed had enrolled with ambiguous results.~
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.religion.scientology/msg/ff6005c55277b7a8
muldoon
Muldoon wrote:
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=011w7n_-EY8
>
> All members of the Incredible String Band long ago exited Scientology.
>
> Amongst their record albums, 'The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter', 'Big
> Huge', and "Wee Tam', along with the single, 'First Girl I Loved', by
> lead male vocalist and songwriter/lyricist Robin Williamson, are
> perhaps best remembered.
>
> The ISB's involvement with Scientology at first enhanced, and then
> diminished, their creative output; as the Scientology influence
> an "aberration."
>
> Finally, fortunately, the unique strangeness would resurge and be
> triumphant.
>
> Interestingly, Bent Corydon, author of the book 'L. Ron Hubbard,
> Messiah or Madman?' (1987, 1992, 1996) was Robin Williamson's auditor
> (counselor) for the (introductory level) "Lower Grades" at St. Hill
> Manor, in England, in the 1960s.
More vintage Incredible String Band:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcOnYCXtA9w
Lyrics from Robin Williamson's 'Maya':
http://www.lyricsdir.com/the-incredible-string-band-maya-lyrics.html
Skipper
muldoon <bria...@dslextreme.com> wrote:
Bunch of videos there including one of Likkie. I wonder about her - she
was so unhappy and lost last time I saw her. I think $cientology did
her real damage.
moontaco
Well whaddaya know? I was doing som searching on eBay and found a
Scientologist selling a bunch of Incredible String Band albums:
http://tinyurl.com/j9lc2
Nice And Easy
FWD
"Skipper" <skipsp...@charter.net> wrote in message
news:081020060740508578%skipsp...@charter.net...
Out_Of_The_Dark
muldoon wrote:
> Muldoon wrote: <
Interesting lyrics on that one, Muldoon. Did you read these for "Adam &
Eve'? The last stanza of this song gives a sense of unheeded
premonition regarding Hubbard and the cult, lol!
The Incredible String Band Lyrics:
Adam and Eve
once before the world began
God was sitting in the sky
he began to get some mud together
o I wonder why
first he made a man
and then he made a woman
mr. Adam and miss Eve
they began to be quite good friends
as I can well believe
o remember that morning
remember that time
take a warning
when you see the sign
Eve was sitting in the garden
when in came a serpent
miss Eve take this apple
give it to your man
give it to your man
I don't want it
o Adam give it a try
o give it a try
friends if you're travelling
never go taking an apple from a snake
if you do I'll tell you true
you make a big mistake
http://www.lyricsdir.com/the-incredible-string-band-adam-and-eve-lyrics.html
muldoon
There isn't much video of the I.S.B., and hardly any of their better
songs, but here's one more - a simple ditty - from the limited supply:
Muldoon
muldoon
muldoon
Out_Of_The_Dark
Thanks for posting these.
This is one of my favorites. "Be glad for the song has no ending"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAia6sPTBDg
JustCallMeMary
Boston Theatre Works Presents.........
A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant
http://www.bostontheatreworks.com/season9/season9_SCI.htm
muldoon
muldoon
and...@orangetwin.com
Stealth Tuba
news:447b1ccd-293c-4f33...@googlegroups.com...
> Any new information on Licorice's whereabouts/well being? I run a record
> label called Orange Twin Records , which sometimes reissues out of print
> records from the 1960s and > 1970s...i've heard she may have recorded some
> songs after ISB and I have been trying to locate her but with no
> luck...andrew@orangetwin is my email email if you have any > info...hope
> she is doing ok...thanks
