Frazier Mohawk
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Frazier Mohawk (born Barry Friedman, 1941, in Los Angeles) is an American record producer and sometime photographer, publicist, circus owner and farmer.
Friedman attended the Happy Valley School in California. He then spent time working in circuses and as a photographer, living in France for a period. In 1962 he returned to Los Angeles, becoming a radio show producer. He also became a publicist, handling the press conferences for The Beatles around their Hollywood Bowl performance in 1964.
He went on to work for the Troubadour club, becoming friendly with Stephen Stills, and helping him put together a new group, which became Buffalo Springfield. Friedman was driving the car with Stills and Richie Furay which passed on Sunset Boulevard the hearse carrying Neil Young and Bruce Palmer from Canada, a meeting which led to the formation of the band. As their de facto manager, he got the Springfield to tour with the Byrds, subsequently becoming involved in the Byrds’ own work. He also started to work as an independent producer, with Paul Butterfield, Kaleidoscope, the Holy Modal Rounders and others. Notably, he produced Nico’s album with John Cale, "The Marble Index".
By this time, Friedman had decided to change his name to Frazier Mohawk. Around the same time the stresses of living in the city led him, supported and funded by Elektra boss Jac Holzman, to build a studio and mountain retreat at Paxton Lodge in northern California. This was a centre for creative endeavours but, according to Holzman, relatively little usable output. Mohawk also met and married singer Sandra Hurvitz, who had previously recorded with Frank Zappa, and who now changed her name to Essra Mohawk. He subsequently produced her albums.
By the mid 1970s, burned out by the music business, he moved to Canada, producing a few obscure acts and becoming seriously ill for a period. After his recovery he established and ran his own travelling circus for several years. Eventually he settled at Puck’s Farm north of Toronto, developing it as an attraction for families, and also including a recording studio.
