Artist Information
Biography
It was said that Greg came from the wrong side of the tracks, but the town was so poor they couldn't afford tracks. He had to be content with coming from the wrong side of the mud.
It’s hard to imagine now what the early 1950’s scene would have been like without this semi-mythical, inspirational, figment of his own fevered imagination. Part jazzer, part hobo, Moodie never knew which part was expected of him and he often disappointed his fans by turning up at their doors asking to read their meters.
With his backing band, The Tall Boys, Moodie would always remain an outsider. He shunned the spotlight and insisted he could only be heard via a string with a can at the end of it. But this was no barrier for his admirers who flocked to their cans, often just to hear his incoherent ramblings about the work of the mole people.
In his final years he became convinced that he was a sous-chef and it was this confusion that ultimately led to his undoing. His final recordings sound remarkably like dessert recipes. He died in 1954 from a combination of pills, alcohol and chronic irritation with the world.
Instrumentation
Guitar and Voice
Discography
ROUND THE BOARD AGAIN (1951)
HEARTFUL OF REASON (1952)
BAKED APPLE DUMPLING WITH PINEAPPLE SURPRISE (1954)
Audio
Lyrics
Video
Press
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‘Uber-loon Moodie is one of the forgotten greats of the pre rock’n’roll period.’
San Francisco Chronicle
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‘Whether you like desserts or not, flake-par-excellence Moodie could cater for all tastes.’
Washington Post
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‘You have to admire The Tall Boys for their sheer height.’
Toronto Daily Star
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‘If I hadn’t given up pole-dancing to become a journalist, I’d have taken up singing to be like Greg Moodie.’
New York Times
Setlist
ROUND THE BOARD AGAIN
TEENAGE WEREWOLF
HEARTFUL OF REASON
I'LL BE JUST WHAT YOU WANT ME TO BE
IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY
THE KING OF COOL