Jonathan Richman is the inspiration for the tribute show that will also serve as a fundraiser for the Somerville Arts Council.

By Max Sullivan

For the third time since 2006, friends Lou Bunk and Ben Morse will be putting on a tribute show to their hero, Boston local pop/rock pioneer Jonathan Richman, inspired purely by their love and fandome for the low profile rocker, as well as an opportunity to help fund an organization they truly appreciate, the Somerville Arts Council.

The idea sprung up between the two friends, both big fans of Richman. After discussing it, they decided it would be a great way to raise money for the Arts Council, on which they both held positions at the time. Morse had a relationship with PA’s Lounge through a band he was playing with then. They set the gig up with the venue and emailed everyone they knew. On the night of the first tribute show, they packed the place, and a new tradition was born for the two.

The show this year will feature ten bands, including Morse and Bunk’s own band, Young & Old. Each band is given 15 minutes to play. Morse and Bunk personally make sure that no band is playing too much of the same Jonathan Richman material. A few unique interpretations of the same song are acceptable, but they encourage those who participate to dig into Richman’s catalogue for songs to play.

Bunk, 40, and Morse, 30, too young to have known Richman in his prime, both became huge fans of Richman long after he had reached his peak of success in the 1970’s. Neither have met the man himself, but Bunk recalls an instance at a recent show at the Middle East Upstairs. With the venue being rather small, Bunk was able to get up close and catch Richman’s glance as the singer happened to be wandering through the crowd when he was not performing.

“I think I happened to be moving my way through the crowd, and he happened to be standing right there in front of me, and I said, ‘Oh, excuse me, Jonathan Richman.’ It was for about four or five seconds, and he kind of smiled,” Bunk recalled.

Richman has never made an appearance himself at one of the tributes, although one of the former Modern Lovers, Asa Brebner, has been a regular at the tribute shows.

“Asa probably told Jonathan about the show, but I would be very surprised if he came to it,” said Morse.

Morse and Bunk both described Richman’s most recent live show, in which he performs by himself with a drummer, Tommy Larkin. Richman never sings a song the way it sounds on the record. He throws guitar solos into songs where they normally don’t belong, as well as dancing solos. His live prowess is a big part of what makes him a hero to Morse, Bunk and so many other fans.

“He’s totally captivating. He’s a really a unique performer,” said Morse. “There’s very few who hold an audience like he does.”

“He’s very charming when he performs,” said Bunk. “One of the things I really like about Jonathan Richman, he’s a really sincere guy.  A lot of underground music is steeped in irony, and that’s something he’s not. He’s not very sarcastic or snarky at all. He’s the most sincere musician that I have ever heard perform.”

Richman is known for keeping a low profile. There is no official webpage. His publicist is not easily accessed. He’s made it clear that he doesn’t desire “rock star” publicity.

“He doesn’t need it, doesn’t want it,” said Morse. Morse cited one of Richman’s newer songs, which goes “You can have a cellphone, That’s Ok, but not me,” as pointing the lifestyle of solitude and self-preservation Richman has always sought after.

“Yeah, that’s the impression that I get too. I get the impression that he’s a private guy,” said Bunk. “He does play fairly large venues and makes a living at it and is an icon as a sort of 1970’s punk rock sort of thing… it doesn’t bother me that he doesn’t want to talk to the press too much.”

Bunk and Morse both think it might be a bit strange to have Richman in the house during one of these tribute shows, however much they would appreciate him being there.

“I can’t imagine him wanting to be in a room where he’s not on stage and there’s people shouting ‘Jonathan! Jonathan!’” said Morse.

This year, the financial focus is again to help fund the Somerville Arts Council. In years past, the show has raised nearly $900, according to Bunk.

“The Somerville Arts Council is really a terrific organization,” said Bunk. “If they can get some money out of us having fun, that’s just icing on the cake.”

See the tribute to Jonathan Richman at PA’s Lounge in Somerville on June 16. Doors open at 8 p.m. Music starts at 8:30. Jonathan Richman will most likely not be present, but many who love his music will.