Buffalo music legend Mark Freeland
One of the things that inspired me to create this podcast is the rich history of music Buffalo has. As a teenager, I listened to Buffalo radio and heard ads for magical places like McVans and The Continental and the bands that played there, but living in Lockport, transportation was an issue and I never could get to be part of that. Later, jobs and marriage and raising a family all kept me from first-hand participation in that scene.
But legends are legends and I still heard about them. Mark was one of those legends.
Mark Freeland was a member of several bands based in Buffalo - The Fems, Pegasus, Pegasonics, and Electroman. He was inductee into the Buffalo Music hall of Fame in 1987. He was also a talented artist as a painter and published a collection of his work called “Everything Is Different.”
I learned of Mark’s passing in Jeff Meirs blog, which I had just discovered. A sad note in an interesting blog.
I never really met Mark Freeland. I did see him at Music Is Art last year. He had a booth there with his artwork for sale, but he was content to sit on the lawn across the street from it on the lawn and let his helpers sell the merchandise. I was too in awe to approach him, partly because I wasn’t quite sure it was him and didn’t want to come off as a fool if I was wrong.
The Jeff Meirs blog article and the many comments from friends there speaks volumes about the many people he touched. Go there and read it. It also has a link to the obituary.
Another piece of Buffalo’s music history has slipped away before I experienced it…
Lisa Conjerti - Panek said,
July 13, 2007 at 7:15 pm
I just had to write after finding this page by “googling” Mark Freeland after reading of his death. For years I had been trying to find any info on the band Pegasus, as my older brother Sam took me to see them sometime in the ’70’s at The Palace theater in Lockport! So, you can imagine how cool it was to see a fellow Lockportian! I now live in Buffalo, ironic, huh?
Anyway, this band left such an impression on me so many years ago with their incredible stage show. The song “The new New York” still vivid in my mind, as my 13ish yr old mind interpreted it about the whole idea of “the big one” wiping out civilization, and leaving behind mutants as survivors. I know that sounds morbid, but it was fantastic! A screen behind the band who were wearing gas masks, showed the old footage of A-boms going off, mushroom clouds and all. Then I remember these guys coming on stage with these “mutant” masks on. Very theatrical. I guess that was why I loved bands like Paul Pope and Molkie Cole.His voice was
similar to Pauls, and they too were theatrical performers. I was lucky enough to get to see the Molkie Cole reunion show, first in 30 yrs! Unfortunatly, after reading the June 21-27 Artvoice, I realized I would never get the chance to see Pegasus, but the good thing was by this chance reading of this article, only because I saw the name “Pegasus”, I got to learn what a tremendous talent this man was. Now I just have to find a CD out there! Lisa
Doc Wu said,
August 26, 2007 at 10:16 pm
From markfreeland.com:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!!
THE TOWN BALLROOM PRESENTS:
“A TRIBUTE TO MARK FREELAND”
In June of this year, Buffalo music & art icon Mark Freeland passed away. To celebrate his life, his enormous talents and his contributions to the local music and arts scene, his friends and fellow musicians are putting on a tribute show of epic proportions.
On Saturday, September 15th, 2007, The Town Ballroom Presents:
“A TRIBUTE TO MARK FREELAND”
Performing that night will be The Fems, David Kane, Party Squad,
Amungus (featuring Robby Takac), The Enemies, Kent Weber, Industry of Life Divine,
Jamie Moses, Paper Faces, Veil, Anal Pudding, Handsome Jack, Rhubarb, Ed Koban,
Shock & Awe, and many other special guests and surprises. The Fems will close the night, with a raucous brawl of original hard core punk classics. Special guest guitarists will sit in throughout the Fems’ set, paying homage to Mark’s incredible guitar solos. You can expect all the musicians on stage to perform their own renditions and tributes of Mark’s songs.
Mark’s artwork and merchandise will be on display also. There will be video collages of Mark’s many performances, dancers, performance art, bagpipes, lasers, Native American musicians, and former Continental DJ Bud Redding will entertain with music and Freeland mixes in-between the diverse musical acts. Tony Billoni will hold the title of Master of Ceremonies.
The show is being held at The Town Ballroom
681 Main Street, Buffalo, NY (716)852-3900
Tickets are available from Tickets.com, and will be available at all Tops locations, as well as New World Records, Terrapin Station, and Simon Salon, located at 735 Elmwood Avenue. Tickets are priced at $10.00 presale, $15.00 day of show. Doors open at 7pm, and the bands start the live music at 7:30pm. This is an all-ages event.
CONTACT INFO: Bud Redding 716-877-3344 or usmcgare@aol.com
brettfrey said,
April 2, 2008 at 1:00 am
TO: Kent Weber-I still think of you as the coolest man alive .I just learned about Mark .I am so sad and pay you all respect.You we’re vangard and obviosly progressive.Please contact me.Wish you the best life.