Here's what ChatGPT told me about him.
Mort Lewis is a somewhat lesser-known figure in the history of music, especially considering his significant contributions behind the scenes. While there is not a wealth of detailed biographical information available about him, there are a few key aspects of his career that stand out:
Early Work in the Music Industry: Mort Lewis was a road manager at a time when folk music was becoming mainstream in the U.S. in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He worked with several prominent artists during this period, including The Brothers Four and Simon & Garfunkel, both of whom became very successful and influential.
The Brothers Four: The Brothers Four were a folk group that gained significant popularity in the early 1960s with hits like "Greenfields." Mort Lewis was their road manager during the height of their fame, and his organizational skills and experience were essential in ensuring the smooth operation of their tours. His role involved coordinating with venues, handling logistics, and making sure the band's performance and overall experience on the road went smoothly.
Simon & Garfunkel: Perhaps his most notable role was working with the legendary folk duo Simon & Garfunkel. Lewis's work as the road manager for the duo helped manage their early performances. His ability to manage the logistics of their tours during their formative years allowed Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel to focus on perfecting their music and performances, which played a big part in their rise to fame. As Simon & Garfunkel's career grew, Mort Lewis helped maintain the touring infrastructure that supported their concerts.
The Folk Scene and Music Industry: Mort Lewis's contributions were part of a broader context of folk music’s commercial success in the 1960s. This was a period when the folk music revival was at its peak, and acts like The Brothers Four, Simon & Garfunkel, and others like Bob Dylan were capturing the public's attention. Mort Lewis was one of the unsung figures who helped keep this flourishing musical movement running smoothly behind the scenes.
Legacy: Though Mort Lewis may not have achieved the same level of fame as the artists he worked with, his role as a road manager was crucial in helping shape the careers of some of the most iconic folk acts of the era. The work of road managers like Lewis was essential to the success of large-scale tours, and his dedication allowed the artists to concentrate on their craft.
Unfortunately, Mort Lewis's personal life and later career are less documented in mainstream media, likely because his work was more behind the scenes. Nevertheless, his contributions to the music world during the peak of the folk music movement remain an important part of the industry's history. His role in supporting the likes of Simon & Garfunkel and The Brothers Four helps us remember how integral road management is to the success of touring artists.
Mort asked me if I wanted to be a Billboard Campus Reporter and I said YES.
The deal was ... I'd write reviews of college concerts and I'd get 6 albums as compensation.
My first assignment was a PP&M concert at UK.
During the intermission ... I went backstage to talk to them. Peter and Noel (Paul) were very cordial. I was interested in Peter's guitar. It was the first steel string Martin that I'd seen with a classic guitar headstock. He let me try to play it upside down since I'm left-handed.
Mary wouldn't talk to me at first. But, later ... Paul told her I was a Billboard reporter and she let me interview her. I got all of their autographs.
As a Billboard reporter I got to meet many of the top entertainers of the day. I was turned down by only by 3 people. Mary Travers ... at first. Nancy Wilsom and Diana Ross of the Supremes.
I was sick when Ray Charles did a concert and had a friend interview him. He was not very well known then. But... I knew him from ...
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