Gary James' Interview With Lead Singer Arthur Alexander Of
Sorrows



Back in 1980, Pavilion recording artists Sorrows were making a name for themselves all over the U.S. Based out of New York City, they had been together for three years when lead singer Arthur Alexander talked with us about his group.

Q - Mick Jagger said in a recent interview that Rock 'n' Roll is a very narrow, dull medium and he's surprised that it's lasted this long. What do you think of Mick Jagger's comment?

A - Rock 'n' Roll became boring when it was recognized as an acceptable art form. Rock got too far removed from the people and the street. It became too clinical, too sterilized and Rock doesn't stand up to scrutiny. It was never meant to be that way.

Q - How much time went by between the date you made a demo tape and when Pavilion Records signed you?

A - It wasn't very long, five or six months. We made a demo tape in May or June of last year (1979) and we were signed in September or October.

Q - Where are you performing these days?

A - Within a 200 to 300 mile radius of the New York City area. We're playing mostly clubs in the tri-state area of New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Q - Who are some of the people you have appeared with?

A - David Johansen, Dirty Looks, The Shirts, The Jays, Willie Nile.

Q - What makes Sorrows unique? What's the group like onstage?

A - We don't exactly stand still. We're jumpin' around, but we're not into a theatrical trip. We don't use props. Visually we're one of the most exciting groups around. We get the audiences involved with the show. The more they react to us, the more we react to them. We're into the art of writing good Pop songs, songs that will become classics. We're reviving Pop and what good song used to be. We want to make the audience feel that they can related to our music when we're singing a song.

© Gary James. All rights reserved.

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