Judy Henske
Judy Henske (born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, on 20 December 1942; died 2… Read Full Bio ↴Judy Henske (born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, on 20 December 1942; died 27 April 2022) was an American singer and songwriter once known as “the Queen of the Beatniks”. Initially performing in folk clubs in the early 1960s, her performances and recordings embraced blues, jazz, show tunes, and humorous material. Her 1963 recording of "High Flying Bird" was influential on folk-rock.
Henske moved to California in the early 1960s, singing in coffee houses in San Diego and Los Angeles, and working with the likes of Lenny Bruce. Moving on to Oklahoma, she worked with ex-Kingston Trio member Dave Guard and the Whiskeyhill Singers, recording an album.
After they disbanded she returned to Hollywood, gaining the attention of Jac Holzman and Elektra Records, for whom she made three solo albums. The first of these highlighted her offbeat humour in her live performances; the second featured the song High Flying Bird, a minor hit later covered by many bands of the era including Jefferson Airplane. During this time she worked extensively as a solo singer in New York, working among others with Woody Allen (with whom she had a relationship – the character Annie Hall, born in Chippewa Falls, was allegedly inspired by her).
After a failed attempt in the mid-60s by Mercury Records to present her as an all-round entertainer, she returned in 1969 with her husband Jerry Yester (previously of The Lovin' Spoonful), making the remarkable baroque / psychedelic folk album Farewell Aldebaran for Frank Zappa’s Straight Records. The pair then formed a band, Rosebud, making a further album before they separated and Henske returned to domestic life with new husband, musician Craig Doerge.
Henske returned to performing in the late 1990s, releasing two subsequent albums Loose In the World (1999) and She Sang California (2004).
In February 2007, Rhino Handmade issued a limited edition 2-CD compilation set of her recordings, Big Judy: How Far This Music Goes (1962-2004), covering her entire career.
Crime writer Andrew Vachss is a fan of Henske, and has promoted her music in some of his novels.
Henske moved to California in the early 1960s, singing in coffee houses in San Diego and Los Angeles, and working with the likes of Lenny Bruce. Moving on to Oklahoma, she worked with ex-Kingston Trio member Dave Guard and the Whiskeyhill Singers, recording an album.
After they disbanded she returned to Hollywood, gaining the attention of Jac Holzman and Elektra Records, for whom she made three solo albums. The first of these highlighted her offbeat humour in her live performances; the second featured the song High Flying Bird, a minor hit later covered by many bands of the era including Jefferson Airplane. During this time she worked extensively as a solo singer in New York, working among others with Woody Allen (with whom she had a relationship – the character Annie Hall, born in Chippewa Falls, was allegedly inspired by her).
After a failed attempt in the mid-60s by Mercury Records to present her as an all-round entertainer, she returned in 1969 with her husband Jerry Yester (previously of The Lovin' Spoonful), making the remarkable baroque / psychedelic folk album Farewell Aldebaran for Frank Zappa’s Straight Records. The pair then formed a band, Rosebud, making a further album before they separated and Henske returned to domestic life with new husband, musician Craig Doerge.
Henske returned to performing in the late 1990s, releasing two subsequent albums Loose In the World (1999) and She Sang California (2004).
In February 2007, Rhino Handmade issued a limited edition 2-CD compilation set of her recordings, Big Judy: How Far This Music Goes (1962-2004), covering her entire career.
Crime writer Andrew Vachss is a fan of Henske, and has promoted her music in some of his novels.
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Judy Henske Lyrics
Ace in the Hole This town is full of guys Who think they're mighty wise, Jus…
Danny Boy Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen…
Dropped Like a Dime Dropped like a dime on candy I believe the big time′s…
High Flying Bird There's a high flyin' bird, flying way up in the…
I Know You Rider I know you, rider Gonna miss me when I'm gone I know…
Lilac Wine I lost myself on a cool damp night I gave myself…
Sing A Rainbow Red and yellow and pink and green, Purple and orange and…
The Ace In The Hole This town is full of guys Who think they're mighty wise, Jus…
Wade in the Water Wade in the water Children wade, in the water God's gonna tr…
Ben - Moderator
on I Know You Rider
Corrected
Eric Baldwin
on I Know You Rider
The lyrics attributed to Judy Henske in 'I know You Rider' are NOT written by Judy Henske. She has never written nor sung a song containing these lyrics.
Vance Terry
on I Know You Rider
The lyrics you have for 'I know You Rider' are NOT in any way from that song. Not even a little bit.