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Philip Charles Lithman (June 17, 1949 - July 1, 1987), who performed under the stage name Snakefinger, was an Englishmusician, singer and songwriter. A multi-instrumentalist, he was best known for his guitar work and his collaborations withThe Residents.
Lithman was born in London, England, and came from the british blues scene. He moved to San Francisco in 1971 and becameassociated with the avant-garde group The Residents. It is said he was given the name ‘Snakefinger’ by The Residentsthemselves when they saw his proficiency with the guitar during their first live performance together. ...read more
Philip Charles Lithman (June 17, 1949 - July 1, 1987), who performed under the stage name Snakefinger, was an Englishmusician, singer and songwriter. A multi-instrumentalist, he was best known for his guitar work and his collaborations withThe Residents.
Lithman was born in London, England, and came from the british blues scene. He moved to San Francisco in 1971 and becameassociated with the avant-garde group The Residents. It is said he was given the name ‘Snakefinger’ by The Residentsthemselves when they saw his proficiency with the guitar during their first live performance together. Another explanation forthe name comes from a story concerning a party in San Francisco, at The Residents’ collective, wherein all in attendancewatched Lithman’s fingers dart snake-like at the neck of his violin.
In 1972 Lithman returned to England and formed the pub rock band Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers with Martin Stone, afellow ex-member of Junior’s Blues Band. As a duo, they released the album “Kings of the Robot Rhythm”. In 1974, as a fullband and popular live act in Britain, they released “Bongos Over Balham”.
Chilly Willy lasted until 1975, their last record not selling well, and by 1976 Lithman was back in the United States, this time inLos Angeles, California, seeking a recording contract, shopping his rock-style demos.
After a few years, Lithman moved back to San Francisco, reconnected with The Residents, and performed and recorded withthem. Lithman’s solo records, recorded under the name Snakefinger, were released by The Residents’ record label RalphRecords.
His first album on Ralph was Chewing Hides the Sound in 1979, featuring original material co-written with The Residents aswell as esoteric covers like Kraftwerk's "The Model". The songs showcased Lithman's distinctive slide guitar playing and oftensurreal imagery. This album was followed by Greener Postures in 1980, which included his first solo compositions asSnakefinger.
While on tour in Australia in 1980, Lithman had a heart attack that left him hospitalized for six months.In 1982 Lithman formed his backing band The Vestal Virgins with former Captain Beefheart sideman Eric Drew Feldman.Snakefinger and The Vestal Virgins released Manual of Errors on Ralph in 1982. This was followed by the blues cover albumSnakefinger's History of the Blues: Live in Europe in 1984 and a new collection of largely original material in 1986 called Nightof Desirable Objects.
Lithman performed with The Residents on their 13th Anniversary Tour in 1986. On 1 July 1987, Snakefinger and his band, TheVestal Virgins, arrived in Linz, Austria, on the European Night tour. On the next morning - before his scheduled performance inthe Posthof Club, he was found dead in a guestroom of the Posthof: Lithman had suffered a fatal heart attack. On the day ofhis death, 1 July 1987, his single, "There's No Justice in Life", was released. « hide |
Similar Bands: The Residents, Henry Cow Contributors: discovolante, Frippertronics,
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