When Joe McGinty, former keyboardist for the Psychedelic Furs joined us for lunch, Fahrenheit 212 had to ask what it was like seeing himself on a Jumbotron from the stage of an arena.
But since the Furs broke up, McGinty has been playing in some far more interesting arenas.
The composer, arranger and music director founded NYC’s Loser’s Lounge tribute series, which has played to sold-out rooms since its debut in 1993. The series’ enduring success comes partly from the unique experience on offer, with nights dedicated to Burt Bacharach, Dolly Parton and Neil Diamond, and partly from McGinty’s networking agility – sometimes, honorees attend their own tribute nights.
McGinty’s knack for curation extends to his film and television work as well. He played us his music for a teen comedy’s shoplifting scene that conveyed Mission Impossible without the licensing fees, and his soundtrack for a Discovery Channel web series composed entirely of sounds from nature: wood breaking used as a drumbeat, frog and cricket maracas, geese on guitar.
Fahrenheit 212 may not have earned the Jumbotron distinction, but we shared with McGinty in the thrill of figuring out what will work and what won’t.