Arthur Pendragon’s 70th Birthday

Jim Morrison’s Doppelganger Behind Phantom’s Divine Comedy and more tales about Detroit’s ’60s and ’70s lost rockers

Arthur Pendragon, with Pendragon, live on the stage in the early ’80s at Detroit’s Harpos. From the Rick Stahl (ex-Pendragon) archives and used with permission.
The Phantom, in the early ’70s. Courtesy of the Pearson/Pendragon Estate and used with permission.
Phantom’s international coverage: “Cabinet of Curiosities: Ted Pearson” by Vittore Baroni in Italy’s Blow Up (April 2022), Francesco Lenzi’s feature in Italy’s Raropiu (March 2020), and R.D Francis’s piece in the San Francisco-based Ugly Things (November 2022).
A press mention of Phantom’s Divine Comedy in the context of a write up on Bob Seger. Image courtesy of the Detroit rock art gallery, Splatt Gallery/Facebook and used with permission.
May 6, 1974 video screencap courtesy of “The Dutch Guy” You Tube dedicated to the Doors.
Summer 1974 video screencap courtesy of “The Dutch Guy” You Tube dedicated to the Doors.
Harold Beardsley, left, with Ted Pearson, center/second from left in 1968 as Oxford High School students in their first band, the Revolvers. Images courtesy of the Pendragon/Pearson Estate and used with permission.
Pendragon flyers from their 1977 to 1983 tenure; all courtesy of the Bob Ellis family archives/used with permission. Others courtesy of the Concert Database.com and Splatt Gallery.com.
From the same December 1974 Creem issue that featured the Phantom with Ray Manzarek and Iggy Pop. Thus, the reason why many thought the Phantom’s Divine Comedy effort was an Iggy Pop album featuring Ray . . . and Dick Wagner!/Scan by R.D Francis.
December 1991 feature on Arthur Pendragon’s radio home featured in the business section of the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel.

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Is a screenwriter, author, music and film journalist. Visit him at B&S About Movies, Garage Hangover, It's Psychedelic Baby, Ugly Things Magazine, and the IMDb.

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R D Francis

Is a screenwriter, author, music and film journalist. Visit him at B&S About Movies, Garage Hangover, It's Psychedelic Baby, Ugly Things Magazine, and the IMDb.