Alfred McMoore, Artist and Inspiration Behind The Black Keys Band Name, Dies at 59

Browse by:
Year
Browse by:
Publish date (field_publish_date)
Submitted by nonesuch on
Article Type
Publish date
Excerpt

Alfred McMoore, the Akron artist who inspired Dan Auerbach and Pat Carney to choose The Black Keys as their band name, died last Friday at the age of 59. Pat's father, Jim Carney, a staff writer at the Akron Beacon Journal, has written a beautiful remembrance of the "outsider" artist he came to know as a friend. "There was no way to resist Alfred McMoore," writes Carney.

Copy

Alfred McMoore, the Akron artist who inspired Dan Auerbach and Pat Carney to choose The Black Keys as their band name, died last Friday at the age of 59. Pat's father, Jim Carney, a staff writer at the Akron Beacon Journal, has written a beautiful remembrance of the "outsider" artist he came to know as a friend.

Carney was first introduced to McMoore through his neighbor Chuck Auerbach, Dan's father, who helped the artist sell his unique drawings; the writer and artist would remain in each other's lives for the rest of McMoore's life. "There was no way to resist Alfred McMoore," Carney writes in the Beacon Journal.

He goes on to explain that, among the many messages McMoore would leave on his answering machine was this: "This is Alfred McMoore. Your black key is taking too long"—"black key" being a regular expression of his and, then, the name Pat and Dan would choose for their band. They plan to sponsor a showing of McMoore's work in their shared home city sometime this fall.

To read Jim Carney's heartfelt essay on Alfred McMoore, and for information on helping to defray the cost of his funeral, visit ohio.com.

featuredimage
Alfred McMoore
  • Wednesday, September 30, 2009
    Alfred McMoore, Artist and Inspiration Behind The Black Keys Band Name, Dies at 59

    Alfred McMoore, the Akron artist who inspired Dan Auerbach and Pat Carney to choose The Black Keys as their band name, died last Friday at the age of 59. Pat's father, Jim Carney, a staff writer at the Akron Beacon Journal, has written a beautiful remembrance of the "outsider" artist he came to know as a friend.

    Carney was first introduced to McMoore through his neighbor Chuck Auerbach, Dan's father, who helped the artist sell his unique drawings; the writer and artist would remain in each other's lives for the rest of McMoore's life. "There was no way to resist Alfred McMoore," Carney writes in the Beacon Journal.

    He goes on to explain that, among the many messages McMoore would leave on his answering machine was this: "This is Alfred McMoore. Your black key is taking too long"—"black key" being a regular expression of his and, then, the name Pat and Dan would choose for their band. They plan to sponsor a showing of McMoore's work in their shared home city sometime this fall.

    To read Jim Carney's heartfelt essay on Alfred McMoore, and for information on helping to defray the cost of his funeral, visit ohio.com.

    Journal Articles:News

Enjoy This Post?

Get weekly updates right in your inbox.
terms

X By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Thank you!
x

Welcome to Nonesuch's mailing list!

Customize your notifications for tour dates near your hometown, birthday wishes, or special discounts in our online store!
terms

By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Related Posts

  • Friday, September 13, 2024
    Friday, September 13, 2024

    In celebration of Nonesuch Records' 60th anniversary, the label has partnered with photographer Michael Wilson—who has exquisitely captured dozens of Nonesuch artists over the past quarter-century—to produce Michael Wilson / 25 Years: A Nonesuch Collection, an extremely limited quantity of 100 box sets containing newly created prints from his Nonesuch archive, out now. You can take a quick look inside here. Designed by the Grammy-winning team at SMOG Design, each box comprises twenty 12" x 12" prints, numbered and signed by the photographer. Artists featured are Allen Toussaint, Ambrose Akinmusire, Audra McDonald, Bill Frisell, The Black Keys, Brad Mehldau, David Byrne, Dr. John, Emmylou Harris, Frederic Rzewski, Jeremy Denk, Kronos Quartet, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Manuel Galbán and Ry Cooder, Philip Glass, Randy Newman, Rhiannon Giddens, Stephin Merritt and Lemony Snicket, Steve Reich, and Timo Andres, who wrote a note for the box.

    Journal Topics: News
  • Thursday, May 2, 2024
    Thursday, May 2, 2024

    "One of my favorite music labels has a momentous birthday: Nonesuch Records is turning 60 this year," says Deepa Fernandes, co-host of NPR's Here & Now, who spoke with Nonesuch President David Bither to mark the occasion. "Nonesuch has likely influenced your musical diet even if you didn't know it." "It's very hard to say what is a Nonesuch record," Bither says. "It's not a particular genre, but maybe it represents a particular kind of ambition and originality. There's a passionate audience for the music we've tried to champion." You can hear their conversation and several musical selections from over the years here.

    Journal Topics: NewsRadioStaff