The Astrology of Space - Matrix Software

The Astrology of Space
In 1965, the same year that the Grateful Dead were
forming, Michael Erlewine, his brother Daniel, and a
few others formed the first new-style band in the
Midwest, the Prime Movers Blues Band. Iggy Pop
was their drummer, and his stint in the band was how
he got the name Iggy. This was the beginning of the
hippie era. Michael was the band’s lead singer, and
played amplified Chicago-style blues harmonica. He
still plays.
Erlewine was also the manager of the band, and
personally designed and silkscreened the band’s
posters.
The Prime Movers became a seminal band
throughout the Midwest, and even traveled as far as
the West Coast, where the band spent 1967, the
“summer of Love,” playing at all of the famous clubs,
for example, opening for Eric Clapton and Cream at
the Filmore Auditorium.
As the 60s wound down, and bands began to break
up, Erlewine was still studying the music of American
Blacks, in particular blues. Because of their
knowledge of blues and the players, Michael and his
brother Dan were invited to help host the first major
electric blues festival in the United States, the 1969
Ann Arbor Blues Festival. They got to wine and dine
the performers, and generally look after them.
Michael interviewed (audio and video) most of the
players at the first two Ann Arbor Blues Festivals, they
included: Big Joe Turner, Luther Allison, Carey Bell,
Bobby Bland, Clifton Chenier, James Cotton, Pee
Wee Crayton, Arthur Crudup, Jimmy Dawkins, Doctor
Ross, Sleepy John Estes, Lowell Fulson, Buddy Guy,
John Lee hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, J.B. Hutto, Albert
King, B.B King, Freddie king, Sam Lay, Light-nin’
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