James Mazzeo: 1944 - 2022 (UPDATED: Statement by Neil Young)
James Mazzeo has passed.
Artist James Mazzeo painted Neil Young's album cover Zuma, as well as, Greendale album cover and stage set designs.
We're greatly saddened here @ TW, as we had the honor & privilege to meet and speak with Mazz multiple times over the years (see below)
ZUMA
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - 1975
UPDATED: Statement by Neil Young via NYA:
8-4-22The artist Mazzeo, my old friend of 52 years, passed away Tuesday morning August 2nd. He was my life friend.
A great artist, Mazzeo defined what it is to be dedicated to your work. We had so many wonderful times together in our 52 years of friendship. Mazz was one of the first friends I made after moving to Broken Arrow Ranch in September 1970, settling there for years, and raising a family.
Mazzeo created the album cover for Zuma, the Greendale sets and internal artwork for both the Greendale live and film productions as well as countless other projects we did. He played Earl Green in the Greendale film.
‘The Artist Perspective,’ one of the many things we did together, will continue in the Times Contrarian. The latest piece I recently acquired from Mazz will be hanging in our new home down in the Southland. Always the artist, Mazz was dedicated, continuing to paint throughout his time here on Earth. He was wonderful in the way he approached his art and life!
Love you Mazz and we will all really miss you.
love
n
Back in 2004, we revealed that artist Jim Mazzeo was the subject of Neil's Greendale song "Bandit" according to a Metroactive newspaper article by Rebecca Patt.
Alexey Butirskiy, Jim Mazzeo and Neil Young by Gabreal Franklin
Greendale Artist Jim Mazzeo is "The Bandit"
- "And he can reach me, 'cause he's like my best friend, and he knows he can," says Mazzeo.
Mazzeo also worked on over 140 pen-and-ink illustrations for the book of Greendale. In the interview Mazzeo said:
- "In the back, there is a really nice supplement all about me and my
artwork and my biography, which is really going to be a feather in my
cap when it comes out."
Jim Mazzeo is well known for the cover art for the album "Zuma", as well as, the Greendale artwork for the album and tour backdrop projections.
w/ James "Bandit" Mazzeo, ZUMA & Greendale Album Cover Artist - 2015
Remembering The Warmth & Love of Bridge School Concerts
w/ Artist James Mazzeo
Bridge 2011 - International Rust Festival
On The Beach in Santa Cruz, CA
(note TW Anniversary Button on Mazz's left lapel -
Button Design and Production by Rusties Geoff, Dee & Tim A. Thanks!)
Labels: album, cover, neil young
by thrasher@PermaLink: 8/02/2022 05:25:00 PM
22 comments
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22 Comments:
So sad to hear. R.I.P. Mazz...always loved your style man 🎨
Oh, that's a real sad one to hear. Neil wouldn't be where he is without some strange and wonderful characters that were positioned perfectly in his universe, and Mazz most certainly fit that mold. I got to smoke a joint with him once in Santa Cruz at the art gallery when they were showing his Greendale artwork. I wanted to be all smart and cool with him, but in my stoned state, I just blurted out something dumb about Zuma. He was patient and cool with me as he realized I was just a dopey Neil fan. Such a nice guy.
RIP to a true artist.
James Mazzeo, RIP.
No Ostin, RIP.
Thanks for the Art / Music!
Thanks for the words guys.
We miss Mazz madly already.
We did get to know Mazz somewhat, post greendale era.
Met him several times over the years at Bridge school concerts. Around 2012 or so, Mazz started gallery viewings in sync w/ annual Bridge event and quite a number of rusties would make their pilgrimage down to Santa Cruz.
It was an honor to meet him and have him ask to be "pinned". Pinned w/ a little TW button -- which you can see if look closely on his lapel above.
Mazz appreciated all we and other rusties did to help him promote his art in his later years. It kept him going he said.
Mazz, you were THE Bandit. And, just so you know, even though your wings have turned to stone, we got DangerBird.
Fly, fly, fly
peace be with you
I was a Facebook “friend” of Mazzeo. Back in 2015, he objected to my cynical posts about the rigged DNC Primary. He took offense that I would badmouth HRC. We later refriended and he remembered nothing from our previous exchange. I also used to be facebook friends with Ralph Molina, a hard core em right winger. I unfriended him in a dispute over values. But he sure did play the drums in 2001, we now know!
Toast is a killer Neil a young (& Crazy Horse) album (and why the F are they not in Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?!
Mazzeo was a passionate Artist, and along with Mo Ostin, will be missed greatly. So Mo Ostin is Moe the Sleaze! I did not know that. He’s the one with the shakey knees. And apparently an. Appreciator of Neil Young’s fine work! Thank you Mo! Thank you Mazzeo. May you find a better world where you are headed!
Meanwhile, we Fight On for planet Earth.
Your Brother Alan in Seattle
I think i remember seeing Mazzeo on the stage doing a painting during one of the tours, it maybe have been Greendale, i loved it
then later i bought one of his original prints and he sent it to me himself and signed it Mazzeo
a sad day for the Neil universe, losing Mo Ostin and Mazzeo
keep on rockin in the free world!
shakeydave
I appreciate your story and thoughts on meeting an “insider”. It points out that simply standing together in space and time, passing a friendly “here we are” is the real and best thing. I, too, overthink what I might say/do if I got close to someone I look up to. I think Neil appears to be one of those who has real-world friends and acquaintances nd that’s all right. Cheers to Jim Mazzeo/Bandit. Never met him yet enjoyed knowing he was around. Glad you got that cool time.
Two key people in Neil’s universe lost. I admire both these men for their valuable part they each played. I’m genuinely saddened by they’re loss, and my heart goes out to the families and friends they each left behind.
Peace 🙏
Hi Dan, hope you are well.
It seems like the Zuma album art is iconic. The image is in my mind like an old friend, connected to that incredible guitar sound on Danger Bird.
@ Abner : My wife pointed out a few days back that SHE was depicted being carried by a seagull on my Zuma shirt!
@ Dan Swan : Yes, 2 more key figures in “what makes the NY Engine tick?!” …. Have been lost. Mortality sucks. But I think Maz & Mo will be doin’ it in Valhalla yet.
My attention turns to Gateway of Love. I see some themes there.
@ Thrasher : I hope to see you all at the Great Gig in the Sky, but until then, Boise will do! (?!). Who’s with me? “We’re going streaking!” (No, we are not!). Neil, come on back to Outlaw Field when ready.
Your Brother Alan in Seattle
Very sad news on the passing of Mo and James - RIP and condolences to their family and friends.
Unfortunately the collection of obituaries on NYA continues to grow. Must be hard for Neil
... 'there's very few of us left my friend from the days that used to be'.
I was 15 going on 16 years old when Zuma was released and was delighted to add it to my small but growing collection of what we now call 'vinyl'. The music was great, but I was also very taken by Mazzeo's art which was unlike anything else I'd seen. Not just the front cover, but the drawings on the inner sleeve and the back cover, right down to the style of the lettering and the use of hand drawn half moons and stars to indicate who played on which tracks. I spent many hours looking at the cover whilst listening to the album play on my parents' music centre, and even now when I hear a Zuma track I immediately see the cover in my mind. To me it's inseparable from the music.
Nice to see that Neil has said 'The Artist Perspective' will continue in the Contrarian.
Mazz my buddy for 55 years. WHAT A LOSS. In his soul, never a negative sentiment about life -- always sought the bright side of everything.
Hard to believe he is gone!!!!
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Mazz was a life long friend, collaborator, and all around buddy. He is and will be sorely missed, but so pleased and blessed to have had him in my life. Often think of him when people say to me "Nice to see you!" and I reply "Nice to be seen!" - stole that from Mazz. Love ya buddy - Gabreal Franklin / Santa Cruz/ Maui
We met at Fleet Sonar School in Key West, FL, back in 1962. We cemented a friendship that carried on through his recent passing. From 300SL liberty weekends in Ft. Lauderdale, to sharing an apartment in Oakland, CA, to our recent daily chats on IG, Mazz has been a positive force in my life, as now in my memory he will always remain. He was never without a sketchbook, and always with a knowing smile. His life was an amazing array of creativity, and exceptionally gifted mentors and friends from Neil Young to Margot St. James, to Alan Watts, and beyond. He was so modest, and so talented, a highly evolved human whom I do and will always now, dearly miss. Should anyone learn of any memorial services for James Mazzeo, please do let me know.
Met Mazz in 1965 on a Coast Guard 95footer, he was my lead and we became immediate Buds. He introduced me to Margo
St James, North Beach always being a Favorite! So smoked my 1st at her Flat with Mazz and then off to Sam Wo... We did Art while on the boat, in Dry Dock we made sculpture out of ship parts and driftwood, No Rules... Always loved his Art and was like a brother so i will miss him very much. I have 5-6 nice pieces of his Art hanging so he'll be with us forever. RIP Pal!
I Met Mazz through Paul Ziegler back in 1995. Paul was always late so I ended up hanging with Mazz for hours watching him paint and just BS-ing. After multiple times of this, I started to see Mazz's personality and general being show up through his art.
One day I was in SF, walking around in the warf and stumbled into an art gallery. An abstract artist was on display and instead of saying my usual......"I could do that, just a bunch of colors in a random fashion.." .....I really stopped to look at the work, thought about Mazz and then looked a little deeper into the paintings that this artist had put her time into. When I told that to Mazz he said "Wow, that's the greatest thing you could have said", "not that you loved my art, but that I helped you appreciate art"
I was really taken back by the statement, we became great friends and spent 1-2 days a week together for the next 8 years, hanging out in one of the many spots where he lived, always discussing the promotion of Mazzeo!
I helped him launch his first website and was fortunate enough to take a road trip to LA when Greendale was being released and search for a gallery to promote the release of Greendale and also the works of Earl Green! What a fun night, totally surreal for me, same thing with backstage at the Greendale concert at Shoreline. Most memorable was driving Mazz to Neil's 60th birthday party which took place in the Redwood Room in SF. Something I'll never forget.
Mazz was received love by everyone we met, all the time. He loved driving around Santa Cruz, pointing out all the places he used to hang when he was in his heyday. Easy to hang out with and talk about anything with.
I will miss you Bro
!
Jeff Trusso
I Met Mazz through Paul Ziegler back in 1995. Paul was always late so I ended up hanging with Mazz for hours watching him paint and just BS-ing. After multiple times of this, I started to see Mazz's personality and general being show up through his art.
One day I was in SF, walking around in the warf and stumbled into an art gallery. An abstract artist was on display and instead of saying my usual......"I could do that, just a bunch of colors in a random fashion.." .....I really stopped to look at the work, thought about Mazz and then looked a little deeper into the paintings that this artist had put her time into. When I told that to Mazz he said "Wow, that's the greatest thing you could have said", "not that you loved my art, but that I helped you appreciate art"
I was really taken back by the statement, we became great friends and spent 1-2 days a week together for the next 8 years, hanging out in one of the many spots where he lived, always discussing the promotion of Mazzeo!
I helped him launch his first website and was fortunate enough to take a road trip to LA when Greendale was being released and search for a gallery to promote the release of Greendale and also the works of Earl Green! What a fun night, totally surreal for me, same thing with backstage at the Greendale concert at Shoreline. Most memorable was driving Mazz to Neil's 60th birthday party which took place in the Redwood Room in SF. Something I'll never forget.
Mazz was received love by everyone we met, all the time. He loved driving around Santa Cruz, pointing out all the places he used to hang when he was in his heyday. Easy to hang out with and talk about anything with.
I will miss you Bro
!
Jeff Trusso
I met Mazzeo the day I Graduated from Coast Guard Bootcamp in Alameda, we wre shipmates on a 95foot CG Cutter that did Search n Rescue in the San Francisco Bay and beyond the Golden Gate. He was my Lead and helped me figure out what I should do with my 4 year commitment. We would leave the Vessel(Boat...) and head to North Beach and hang out with Margo StJames the notorious Margo of COYOTE(Call off Your Old Tired Ethics) Music n Weed was in the Air. Mazzeo and I hung out and made ART while the Boat was in Dry Docks, Sculpture n Driftwood dominated the Art and the other shipmates would laugh at us, we were Weird. We kept intouch and later when I was deep into the Leather Business we hung Mazzeo Art in the Leather Shop on Union Street. Floresent paint was highlighted by Black lights, the public enjoyed the ART. Later when Mazzeo was in his n Neils Movie - Greendale we went to the Opening with Mazzeo at the CASTRO Theater, a fun evening. I have an original painting from the 60's called "King James" a cool piece I have enjoyed now for 57 years, Mazzeo also did 4 small Face Painting for me in 2005? His style has had an influence on My Art and I will always be grateful for his friendship and leadership. RIP Pal, Semper Paratus - Always Ready for your HUG...
@ Jeff - Thanks so much for sharing the "Mazzeo memories".
That's quite incredible about how you learned to "see" art. We treasure our "Mazzeo memories" deeply as well, like so many other rusties who befriended Mazz over the decades.
Our favorite "Mazzeo memory" was when he explained to us why his paintings take so long to complete. The painting above --"Deja Blue" -- took him many, many months to complete because of the paint brush type he used. He went into his studio and pulled out a brush that was tiny, tiny with very few bristles. He said the painting was comprised of 100's of thousands of strokes of colors.
Like you, we peered deeply into the painting to see each stroke. Again, the revelation where there is more to the picture than meets the eye.
We miss Mazz madly !
I found my way here from a search on James Mazzeo. I have recently come across two of his paintings from the 1970's. I'm seeking information about them, anyway I can. I'm hoping you could help.
Thanks!
Cordelia
Oh my
Mazzeo it's midnight can we talk , I know you are just getting busy painting but you have always been their for me to talk for years we chatted about lots of things . I mis seeing your cabin in the woods and all the cool things you sent me and some I sent back out of Total respect !
Rock On Mazzeo A Diamond in my Mind ! Love
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