Michael Lydon (1942 – 2025) An Appreciation
by Music Writer and Cultural Historian Michael Lydon Has Died
The Rolling Stone Magazine founding editor and NYC music mainstay was 82.
A New Yorker’s New Yorker who lived the hippie life as a Yale educated historian and journalist in the heart of 1960s counter-culture California and London, England, Michael Lydon was a friend and inspiration when I came to know him though his wife and long time collaborator, the composer Ellen Mandel. Michael died on July 30 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.
An absolute prince of a guy, Michael shall be missed by all who are lucky enough to have known him. I so enjoyed jamming with him at the studio apartment he and Ellen kept as a creative work space near their East Village apartment.
We connected through our lifelong admiration of Bob Dylan, and Duke Ellington. As the first American journalist to interview a young Lennon and McCartney, and then founding editor of Rolling Stone Magazine, who toured with the actual Rolling Stones, and knew Janice, and the Dead, I found it delightful that Michael preferred singing gentle jazz standards, and composed songs in the same vein.
I was privileged to do the art direction for his final CD, coming up with a great many colorful designs before Michael and Ellen made their choice for the disc and cover.
With his long silver ponytail and rakish goatee and mustache, and svelte, debonair attire, Michael seemed less an old hippie than a timeless chevalier, if not a musketeer. I would have cast him as the retired d’Artagnan in Rostand’s “Cyrano” in a heartbeat. But he never lost the ’60s idealism that buoyed his dedication to encouraging others to love and love music.
He was even more cheerful and joyful than his music or his art. And he made others feel that way too. That is what shall remain in us long after grief and sorrow have receded.
Peace, music man, to you, and for Ellen and all who suffer your loss.
~