Here's the story: Early in 1968 I took interest in a new literary magazine being planned by some UCLA students. I think it was an ad in The Daily Bruin newspaper that first sparked my interest. I was writing a lot of poetry in those days and was looking for outlets to publish. Since I had succeeded in applying for and then getting accepted to a poetry workshop course, I had the novel thought in my mind that what I was saying might be worthy of a larget audience.
As is often the case, when I met with a small group of the students behind the newspaper ad/call for submissions, I emerged as one of the "poetry editors" of the magazine. To be sure, this was a fledgling effort, but the people involved had some solid ideas. I liked them and their vision.
The magazine was to be called Laminas, and it would come in a box. Aside from short stories, poetry, artwork, and creative non-fiction, there would be a recording. Like the magazine itself, the recording would be eclectic.
The affiliation with UCLA in the late 60s was not lost on Laminas. Much of the content reflected the sensibilities and issues of the day. I recall a well-illustrated piece on Asian stereotypes that would stand the test of time and fit into any publication today. As an editor, I could not promote my own work but did select some poetry that others submitted. Another editor selected a couple of haiku poems that I submitted so no conflict of interest surfaced. Being content to have at least something in the publication, I eagerly awaited its appearance.
I'm not sure if I paid for this substantial literary magazine or if I was given a complimentary copy, but I recall being very satisfied when at last I received it. It was, in fact, a magazine in a box, complete with a record.
My interest in the record was clearly the fact that it had 2 tunes by Wildman Fischer. At that time, Larry Fischer was a fixture on the UCLA campus. He would "sell" tunes to passing students for small change. His music was avant-garde at best, weird and repetitive at worst. I'd heard Larry Fischer in the wild many times as I made my daily trek from the student union up to Royce Hall or Haines Hall. I had two favorites, Merry-go-round and Linda and Laurie. Both appeared on the Laminas record.
In the years that followed, the students on campus graduated and went on to begin their lives in the real world. Wildman Fischer evolved as well. And then his musical career changed. Frank Zappa, musical genius with a huge following, took Wildman Fischer under his wing. He offered Larry a platform to perform and develop a larger following. I don't know the particulars of their association, but I do know that Wildman Fischer once opened for Zappa in the Rose Bowl. That venue holds about 3 times the UCLA student population.
My copy of Laminas unraveled over the 50 years that followed. I used some of the graphics in ethnic studies classes I taught. I'm not sure what happened to many of the pages in that little box, or the box itself, but I have always stored the record with a small collection of 45s I once used for teaching units that involved popular music of the 50s and 60s.
My recent attempt to find out if there is any interest in this recording tells me that Zappa fans are well aware of Wildman Fischer and many, in fact, have later recordings he made during his association with Zappa. They do not, however, have his first recordings. Hence, I have a very rare record.
If any Zappa fans or record collectors are curious, yes, this record is for sale? It needs a new home.
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