The History Of Moondog

Moondog was the nom de plume of Louis T. Hardin (May 26, 1916 – September 8, 1999).
Born in Marysville, Kansas he started playing a set of drums made by himself with a cardboard box at the age of 5.
Hardin was blinded in a farm accident at the age of 16. After learning the principles of music in several schools
for blind young men across central America he started teaching himself the skills of ear training and composition,
becoming then a self taught man and artist. From the late 1940s until 1974, Moondog lived as a street musician
and poet in New York City, busking mostly on 54th Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan. In addition to his music
and poetry, he was also known for the distinctive Viking garb that he wore, which included a horned helmet.
He partially supported himself by selling copies of his poetry and his musical philosophy.
Because of his street post's proximity to the 52nd Street club strip, he was well-known to many jazz musicians and fans.