It’s hard to imagine that it was 25 years ago that a young musician named Lenny Kravitz released his debut album, Let Love Rule (I actually remember the review of that record in the first-ever Rolling Stone magazine – with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards on the cover – that purchased when I was 15). In contrast with the pop trends from 1989, Kravitz’s sound was an anomaly and a throwback to ’60s and ’70s rock and soul music along with that era’s hippie idealism, while recalling the influences of Marvin Gaye and Prince. Since then he has gone on to a successful career as a consistent hit maker without compromising his lyrical vision and sound: “It’ Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over,” “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” “Fly Away,” “American Woman” and “Dig In” are just some of his best and memorable songs. Along the way, he’s become a style icon and a rising actor with parts in Precious, Lee Daniels’ The Butler and The Hunger Games films. Yet because Kravitz has been so prolific and around for so long, it’s easy to take him for granted. Fortunately Kravitz’s career will be put into proper perspective when he appears at 92Y in an interview with Rolling Stone‘s Anthony DeCurtis. It’s perfectly timed with his upcoming 10th studio album Strut and a new photo book in which he is the subject of. When you get down to it, Kravitz has produced some of the most passionate rock and soul music for the last 25 years – a remarkable achievement worthy enough to earn him some serious consideration for a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination.
‘Lenny Kravitz with Anthony DeCurtis’ will take place on Sept. 19 at 92Y, Lexington Ave. and 92nd St., Manhattan, 8 p.m., $60. For information, visit 92Y’s Web site.
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