Fundraiser for Larry McClurg of Mind Garage

Published on december 1st, 2019 | by Anthony Martinez

Do you remember the band Mind Garage? if the answer is no, let me tell you that you're not the only one. Mind Garage was one of the first Christian rock bands, long before the term existed, even before the term Jesus Rock. 
Although it was a very popular band in the late 1960s, they were forgotten by a music scene in which they were precursors, even before Larry Norman or John Fisher released their debut albums in 1969. So it's very likely that very few of you know about this band.

In recent years, Mind Garage met for an event called GoodStock in 2007 and a new album in 2010, after which they have been separated again. With the advent of the internet, the group's popularity seems to increase again, the curious case of a Psychedelic Rock band of Christian guys with huge hair that came to play with such important bands as Iron Butterfly, having been invited to Woodstock in 1969 and seen by millions on television through ABC, is more than enough for some people today to show interest in a band that has not received any recognition in decades.

Larry on stage with Mind Garage (1968)

More than 50 years have passed since the group was formed, and their lives, like anyone else's, begin to deteriorate. His singer Larry McClurg, has gone through very serious moments of health in recent years, to that can be added the fact that currently lives alone. In 2017 he stayed for a few weeks in the hospital after having had a stroke of stress.

Recently, Larry has started a facebook fundraiser where he asks people to help him with the situation he is currently facing in his life. Below, you can read Larry's message and at the end of this article you will find the link to facebook where you can donate and contact Larry directly:

BAD situation. My friends, even ones I've known for decades, are silently watching me go down. Worse situation even than when age 20 in college. Too old for that hardship now. I know times are hard all over. But any help, anything, a few dollars, appreciated. I don't know if I can explain it all.

I lost my leg above knee in 1984, Run into head on by an over a zealous State Police rookie who wasn’t punished other than a slap on the wrist with a 24 hour suspension. He wasn't even charged. I was in hospital June, July, August. It ruined my future. Somehow I managed. But it got harder and harder to make ends meet. I lost my job.
In August 2017 a stroke from stress put me in the hospital, losing weight. I didnt get home till November. Bills weren't paid and my 34 year old leg with technology straight out of WW II no longer fits. It falls off with each step. Basically I cannot walk. I cannot get another modern leg for lack of Medicare co payment. I have no other income than SS. I tried to get help with Medicade and charities but the answer is no.
Its gets even worse, mortgage is overdue and car is dead, busted head gasket and this is only a small glimpse of the entire problem.

I don't have much time left, I'm struggling, but I'm trying to write a book at last, about my (and band members) rock and roll band, Mind Garage. We were the progenitors of Christian Rock, before before anyone else, on RCA at the same time at Elvis, Jefferson Airplane, Willy Nelson, Guess Who, John D. Loudermilk, Duke Ellington, The Youngbloods, Charley Pride, Boston Pops / Arthur Fiedler, Zager & Evans, Keith, John Denver, and many others. We recorded Electric Liturgy in 1969 for RCA, the first CCM in Nashville. We never received a penny.

If I can just hold out a little longer, even for another month or two before foreclosure, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. and I can pull out of this nightmare tailspin. Otherwise soon I must leave the house I built 29 and 1/2 years ago, and all my memories and belongings and memorabilia except what I can carry in my car if I can even get it to run again. All for a default of a few payments on the mortgage.
I wont have a phone or internet or street address except General Delivery. If you know me, love me or just want to stay in touch out of curiosity to see what happens, send me a Facebook message while I still have Facebook, with your address. I won't have a phone but I can still write letters wherever I end up..

Help. Give me a hand up.

Visit Larry's Facebook fundraising site by clicking here