SANTA BARBARA, Calif. Students don't have to log onto computers to take part in virtual high school graduations this year. With the pandemic restrictions
Loud was part of “An American Family” in 1973, but his wild band, Mumps, never signed a record deal. Now their songs are being released on the 20th anniversary of his death.
Lance Loud was an early reality star. He was also a gay punk pioneer.
Mumps, Rock & Roll This, Rock & Roll That: Best Case Scenario, Youve Got Mumps. Release date: June 4, 2021.
by Jim Farber
(NYT NEWS SERVICE)
.- On Feb. 20, 1973, Lance Loud earned a place in musical history that, at the time, nearly stopped his career cold.
That night, he appeared with his band, Loud!, on The Dick Cavett Show as part of an evening devoted to An American Family, the PBS program credited as TVs first reality show. The cinéma vérité series, which featured the entire Loud clan, both riveted and appalled the nation with two revelations: the collapse of the parents marriage right on camera, and their eldest son, 20-year-old Lance, making his gay identity extravagantly clear. It was a profoundly rare declaration in that era of television, and by performing on Cavett, Lance led what was likely the first rock group with openly gay members to appear on a major commercial network.