[Lenny Zenith]…has crafted a legacy in rock and roll as one of the genre’s first true transgender rock stars. – Out.com
Over the course of numerous fruitful years, Lenny Zenith has built an impressive and prolific career.
He|Hymn LP October 2024 release date
Lenny prepares for the upcoming release of his long-awaited second solo album He|Hymn in October! The record is finished, mixed and mastered and features his longtime friend and collaborator James Pertusi as producer, bassist and vocalist and mastered by Grammy Award Winner Emerson Mancini.
It features contributions from musicians in Little Rock, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Austin and New York including members of acts such as Leonard Cohen, Bryan Adams, Parker Woodland, Woodenhead and more.
Players:
Rafael Gayol, James Pertusi, Tommy Mandel, Steven Fisher, Jeff Hermanson, Ron Raymond, Scott Campbell, Rohin Khemani, Jimmy Robinson
“Always In My Heart (New Orleans Is My Home)”
I’m thrilled to release this tribute to my beloved hometown, New Orleans. It was a true labor of love, recorded and produced in the heart of the city, with the invaluable contributions of some of its legendary musicians. I invite you to immerse yourself in the song and video, and experience the bittersweet longing that comes from missing one’s roots. Moreover, by downloading or streaming this track, you’ll be supporting a noble cause as it will directly benefit The New Orleans Musicians Clinic
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VIDEO
The Quarantine single
Two romantic songs written and released during the pandemic
Listen to “Always Near Me” | “How We Got Here” – Spotify
Featuring solely New Orleans musicians and recorded and produced in New Orleans at Blue Velvet Studios NOLA by Tom Stern.
Long time friend and collaborator, Carlo Nuccio (Continental Drifters, Pat McLaughlin), led the session and recruited the musicians. Paul Clement (Twangorama, Woodenhead), also a close friend and talented bassist provided the lilting bassline. Featured performers include New Orleans pianist Brian Coogan, (Johnny Vidacovich, Alex McMurray), trumpeter Scott Frock (Sturgill Simpson, The O’Jays, The Temptations), as well as another longtime friend, Alison Young (Songdogs), who contributes intimate vocal harmonies.
Purchase digital or physical songs >
The video received over 1,000 views in the first week.
Info about the recording in New Orleans and filming of the video >
“Lenny Zenith’s rock legacy is as legendary as it is quiet…” Out Magazine
For over three decades, the New Orleans musician has released music with bands that include Pop Combo, Jenifer Convertible and Tenterhooks and opened for everyone from U2 to Iggy Pop.
Now, over 30 years after his quiet transition, he has crafted a legacy in rock and roll as one of the genre’s first true transgender rock stars.” – OUT Magazine
“I wrote this song in 2022 after a particularly troubling nightmare where there were hardly any states that were safe for transfolx (except California). I was desperately trying to leave my current state and terrified of being accosted.
This grew out of the fear, sadness and anger I’ve been feeling for trans kids and their families in states where they are being targeted with hateful and harmful rhetoric, and denied life-saving gender-affirming care.
It details some of my own personal experience transitioning in Jr. High — and as the lyrics state:
“…years later, the same hateful people are now making laws, to keep kids like I was from being true, to themselves to their hearts, what are trans kids ‘sposed to do?“
In 2018, Lenny released his first solo album WHAT IF THE SUN
Available as a digital downlaoad, CD, and vinyl (t-shirts too)!
There were glowing reviews, including one in Billboard, and Atwood Magazine said:
“His infectiously catchy indie pop has classic alternative written all over it; influences from ’80s new wave and ’90s guitar rock come together to create uniquely exciting sounds that shine…”
A portion of all proceeds benefits transgender organizations.
Pop Combo ALBUM!! After many years, I was lucky enough to reunite with my dear friends from POP COMBO — old bandmates (Steven Fisher, Rick Nick & Gary Parky) gathered in New Orleans to record and release songs that never saw the light of day! BLUE VELVET TRACES is an eclectic collection of power-pop, indie pop, post punk with dollops of jazz and rockabilly. Recorded by Tom Stern in New Orleans at Blue Velvet Studios, and produced by James Pertusi at the Whelping Box in NYC.
Thanks PopMatters! “Suddenly Someone”, a tune that crackles with the energy of glam, the spirit of punk and carries a little more lyrical heft than your average two-minute tune.
f every picture tells a story and every story has a beginning and songs are actually pictures created by someone (or something like that), then Zenith definitely has a story to tell. A pioneering transgender artist, Zenith transitioned while in junior high in the 1970s. He led the band RZA from his New Orleans home and opened for Iggy Pop, the Replacements and scores of others. While leading the acclaimed noise-pop outfit Jenifer Convertible in New York during the 1990s, the band worked with a pre-LCD Soundsystem James Murphy on several tracks.”
Some more kind mentions from Music Injection, Post-Trash, OUT Mag!
What was it like to open for U2 on a New Orleans riverboat in 1982? Ask Lenny Zenith
In the following, edited passage from a forthcoming memoir, “Before I Was Me,” RZA singer-guitarist Lenny Zenith, now a writer and musician based in New York, recalls the rush of that sweaty, long-ago night with U2.
Lenny Zenith at Losers Lounge tribute to Burt Bacharach “Always Something There to Remind Me”
More live performances >
Say hi, listen to my music — if you like it, please buy some.