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February 13, 2004/Shevat 21 5764, Vol. 56, No. 21
That old time shlock 'n' roll
JENNIFER GOLDBERG
Staff Writer
Lenny Solomon, center, vistis the Valley Feb. 22 for "Shlock Rock Live," an evening of Jewish rock 'n' roll.
Photo courtesy of Lenny Solomon
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Lenny Solomon, founder of the Jewish rock band Shlock Rock, can give you the history of the Jewish people in 42 lines (and a chorus). He can turn a Bruce Springsteen hit into a convincing argument for moving to Israel. He can use traditional nursery rhymes and songs to teach children about what it means to be Jewish.
When Shlock Rock visits the Valley at Har Zion Congregation on Feb. 22, Solomon brings with him nearly two decades of experience in entertaining and enlightening audiences, yet his life nearly took a different path. Back in 1982, Solomon was an accountant with a talent for music. Growing up as an Orthodox Jew in Kew Gardens, Queens, he took accordion and piano lessons until college, when he selected a music minor to go along with his accounting major. During those years, he sometimes performed at National Council for Synagogue Youth conventions, coming up with Jewish lyrics for well-known songs - the genesis of Shlock Rock.
"Basically, they were just song parodies of rock 'n' roll that would keep the kids interested in the Shabbat and would make them feel good about being Jewish," Solomon recalls.
Shlock Rock was born in 1985, when Solomon recorded the band's first album, "Learning is Good."
"I was in Jewish music my whole life, and so the Jewish rock band was just a natural extension of that. I wanted to be a Jewish rock 'n' roller," says Solomon. "I came up with the name Shlock Rock in 1985. 'Shlock' means secondhand, and half the music we play is secondhand rock with new words."
"Learning is Good," released in 1986, features "Making Aliyah Today," from Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA," "Old Time Torah Scroll," from Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll," and "Abarbanel" from The Beach Boys "Barbara Ann."
The next album, "Jewish Pride," was released the following year included only original tunes such as "Minyan Man" and "Rappin' Jewish." All told, Shlock Rock has released 23 albums: 10 parody albums, nine original albums and four children's albums.
The latest Shlock Rock album, "Shlock Rock Almost on Broadway," debuted in August 2003 and offers parodies from such well-known musicals as "Les Miserables," "Guys and Dolls," and "My Fair Lady." That particular album, Solomon says, has sold faster and has had the broadest appeal of any Shlock Rock album to date.
Although Solomon likes to think of the band "as the Jewish version of Weird Al Yankovic in terms of accuracy and the lyrical creativity," his goal as a Shlock Rocker is instruction as well as entertainment.
In order to teach and entertain his audiences, Solomon sometimes gives Shlock Rock albums individual themes that address separate aspects of Judaism. For example, "Sgt. Shlocker's Magical History Tour" features songs about Jewish history, including "We've Got a Strong Desire" based on "We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel. Beginning with Adam and ending with the intifada, all of Jewish history is encapsulated in the lyrics. Another album "Shlock Rock Meets the Prophets," tells stories about David, Jeremiah, Rachel and other biblical-era Jews.
"It's really informal Jewish education - music with Jewish messages," he explains. "You learn about Judaism. You feel good about being Jewish. We spread Jewish pride, Jewish identity and Jewish awareness through music."
Today, Solomon lives in Bet Shemesh, Israel, with his wife and three children. The subject of Israel and aliyah is one that he is passionate about.
"It's in all my songs," Solomon says. "It's the place that all Jews have to be - that's what I believe. We've been wandering for 2,000 years as a people. Where is the home? The home is Israel. I moved because it was natural. It was in my gut since I was a young kid."
Shlock Rock's visit to Phoenix is part of its Purim Tour. The band has no permanent members except for Solomon and Etan G, the rapper of the group, so Solomon picks up musicians in the towns that he performs in.
For the Feb. 22 performance, Marty Tams will play guitar, Van Katz will play drums and Paul Anderson will play saxophone.
After 18 years of Shlocking, Solomon continues to find joy in both the creation of the music and the reaction of the audience. "Thank God I'm able to write ... The message is that you can be Jewish, you can learn about stuff, it's fun, keep learning," he says. "Every community that we play, people have a great time. That's the most important thing."
Details
- What: "Shlock Rock Live"
- Where: Har Zion Congregation, 6140 E. Thunderbird Road, Scottsdale
- When: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22
- Cost: $10-$15
- Call: 480-991-0720
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