arthur russell – 'in the light of the miracle'

in early 1969, arthur russell was arrested as a runaway vagrant in san francisco

given the choice of being sent home or remaining in a detention centre until he turned 18, he was released to the custody of a local buddhist commune

over the next few years, russell played chello for fire-walking ceremonies, joined the commune’s country band, took music lessons from andor toth of the san fran symphony chamber orchestra, studied north american music at the ali akbar college of music and minimal composition at the san fran conservatory of music

he went on to be a central figure in the new wave and disco revolutions of 70’s and 80’s manhattan

source: mojo