John Cage Interview, 1985, KCRW 1992

Recorded in 1985 by Connie Goldman for WHA radio Wisconsin, this interview is unavailable, and out-of-print as far as I know.
Published on cassette by Jeffery Norton Publishers, who seem to be "out of business" even though a partial website still exists.
I recorded this off the radio KCRW in 1992.
Presented here as a public service. This broadcast was not used as part of the experimental music piece "minimal music" but is very similar in theme and content, so it is included here.
I was fortunate to meet John Cage and hear him speak at the Univeristy of Illinois in 1984 (or 1983). I was inspired by his gentle and authentic whimsical nature, when I somehow expected a radical firebrand and tempestuous speaker instead.
I had previously discovered, independently, his technique of listening to common household noise in a musical way, and was pleased to have that idea verified by someone who was recognized by the world as a legitimate composer.
An inspiring talk that I hope will be allowed to stay on youtube, but I accept if it is not.
I was inspired by his use of "silence," "chance," and "radio receivers" to create music.
I find it amusing that his name is John Cage and he spent his musical career trying to break out of the "anal retentive" music "cage" of harmony, rhythm, and melody that we all have inherited.
"The purpose of music composition is to quiet and still the mind." - John Cage
"Write a poem, draw a picture, and avoid working for other people." - John Cage
"Good luck" - Wm S

[@atwaterpub]

I actually met John Cage once when I was a student at the University of Illinois. He gave a talk on music composition and I met him afterwards and shook his hand. It was an inspiring talk and he spoke mostly about mushrooms instead of music composition.

[@atwaterpub]

I am so honored to preserve this talk by John Cage. He, and his ideas, are an inspiration for all humankind. Thank you John Cage

[@atwaterpub]

Astoundingly, this may be the only copy of this interview that exists. Who knows why? I feel lucky to have recorded this interview and I feel lucky to listen to it again tonight. I feel lucky to have met John Cage and I feel lucky to present this inspiring talk on my youtube channel.

[@davidcarter3049]

Thanks a lot for sharing this recording..it’s always good to hear him talk

[@atwaterpub]

I actually met John Cage at the University of Illinois in the Early 1980's

[@davidcarter3049]

@@atwaterpub that must have been great : )

[@atwaterpub]

@@davidcarter3049 I met him after a lecture he gave on music composition and he talked a lot about mushrooms also.

[@nollieflip1]

Wow! I love the part about supplementing one's work with self employment. In hindsight, there are so many people I've met who seem lost without their work. Their entire persona revolves around the work they do or did. It gives me a pragmatic reason to continue finding time to play music even with the stresses of my job. Thank you for sharing!

[@atwaterpub]

+nollieflip1 You are welcome. We are lucky that I recorded this audio on cassette. As far as I know this is the only copy that exists or is available to the public. I also found that concept inspiring and how I try to live my life. Thank you for the comment.

[@terminalcitytraining]

That was wonderful. I appreciate your efforts to share this.

[@atwaterpub]

almost thirty years later, this talk is more profound than ever...

[@atwaterpub]

I recorded this over the radio on my boom box just by accident, and yet this is the only existing recording of this interview that exists on the planet today. Astounding.

[@atwaterpub]

Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed this program.

[@atwaterpub]

Exactly. I was lucky to hear John Cage speak in 1984 (or 1985) at the University of Illinois and he talked about the same subject. Ironically, I had just discovered this attitude myself in the previous years, and his comments at the time were electrifying. I used to drive around and listen to the car noises as music and my friends thought I was crazy. At that moment, I stopped wondering if "I was on the right path" and kept to trusting my own intuition, regardless.

[@atwaterpub]

I gave this recording to youtube as a gift to humanity. I live in a single apartment as an old man and nobody cares.... Nobody cares if I am dead or alive,

[@atwaterpub]

"There is no love in America and NOBODY cares if you are dead or alive." - Zobo the Clown

[@NovicebutPassionate]

"Although none of his works is likely to remain in the standard repertory (he actually admitted several of his creations were boring to listen to), Cage's output had a profound influence on modern music and has proved to be a stimulus to further experimentation and unconventionality." Brewer's Twentieth-Century Music, David Pickering, Cassell Publishing, 1994, P. 70.

[@atwaterpub]

18:33 "What we need to do is to be willing to die for what gives us life."

[@allstarmark12345]

Mel Gibson in brave heart: “FREEDOOMMM!!!”

[@atwaterpub]

In reference to the concept of "self employment." I think it is better to have three part time jobs to sustain your primary "unemployment activities (i.e. art, music, learning, writing, research, invention)" instead of a single full time corporate pension generating employment. You have more freedom and control of your life with three part time jobs.

[@billcampbell9488]

Who is the pianist for music of changes? Just curious.

[@atwaterpub]

I have no idea. All I know is what this interview contains. (aside: I actually met John Cage in the 1980's at University of Illinois. I talked with him briefly after a public speech of his and I shook his hand. I invited him to visit the PLATO Music Project, but he politely declined the invitation.)

[@billcampbell9488]

@@atwaterpub Oh well.. aside from David Tudor’s performance of the Music of Changes that is also a great performance. Wonderful that you could meet and talk with him, those experiences are always the most formative... must have been amazing!

[@atwaterpub]

@@billcampbell9488 I feel very lucky