Moondog

Biography

Moondog was the pseudonym of Louis T. Hardin, a blind American composer, musician, and inventor known for his iconic presence on the streets of New York City as 'The Viking of 6th Avenue'. His unique music blended classical principles of counterpoint with the rhythms of jazz and Native American music, often incorporating ambient city sounds. He recorded for labels like #Prestige# and #Columbia#, with his 1969 album 'Moondog' bringing his complex orchestral and contrapuntal work to a wider audience. His compositions influenced minimalist composers such as *Philip Glass* and *Steve Reich*, and his song 'All Is Loneliness' was famously covered by *Janis Joplin*.