The story goes like this: In 1969, Hugh Nanton Romney Jr. was lying on stage at the Texas International Pop Festival, when he asked the conga drummers not to dance on the “wavy gravy.” B.B. King came onstage and asked him, “Are you Wavy Gravy?” Romney responded, “Yes, sir,” and afterwards, considering this a “mystical experience,” he legally changed his name. And Wavy Gravy he still is, as he prepares to celebrate his 90th birthday at a benefit for the Seva Foundation on May 16 at San Francisco’s Masonic Auditorium.
Mr. Gravy, as the New York Times would refer to him, has perhaps an unmatchable counterculture resume, including founding the activist collective The Hog Farm, which created Woodstock’s “security,” the Please Force. (Its enforcement weapons were cream pies and seltzer bottles); rooming with Bob Dylan in the early ‘60s in Greenwich Village; becoming the official clown for the Grateful Dead; and founding the Phurst Church of Phun, a “secret clown society” dedicated to ending the Vietnam War.
But, wait! That’s just the tip of the Big Red Nose. Add: Founding the “Nobody for President” campaigns of 1976 and 1980, which ran on the slogans “Nobody’s Perfect,” “Nobody Keeps All Promises,” “Nobody Should Have That Much Power,” and “Who’s in Washington right now working to make the world a safer place? Nobody!” And not least, having a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor named for him (RIP 2001).
It hasn’t all been really large clown shoes. Gravy also founded performing arts Camp Winnarainbow in 1975, which has served tens of thousands of kids 7-14, and, arguably most importantly, in 1978, he co-founded Berkeley’s Seva Foundation with Ram Dass and physician Larry Brilliant. Seva’s mission to prevent blindness now operates in more than 20 countries. Its programs have given back sight to more than three million people through surgery, self-sufficient eye care systems, and low-cost manufacturing of intraocular lenses, according to the foundation’s website.
He’s produced multiple music benefit concerts for Seva over the years, including events with the Dead, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Elvis Costello, and many others. But Seva executive director Kate Moynihan said that is only part of his contribution.
“Wavy is the heart and soul of Seva,” she said. “His love of humanity, commitment to the dignity of people, joy for living, and his influence [telling us] that while the work is indeed serious, we should never take ourselves seriously. Nearly 50 years later, his philosophy continues to influence and guide our work that serves nine million people a year.”
He has also visited many of the countries Seva serves. Said Moynihan, “One of the most iconic stories is how Wavy entertained children with art and ‘bubbles’ while the doctors performed some of the earliest cataract surgeries.”
The upcoming birthday party isn’t the only tribute to him, she said. “Staff and partners across 400 hospitals aim to honor him every day by helping people see. We do that because we uphold the original intention behind why he and others established Seva: combining great science, a commitment to data and evaluation, with a firm commitment to a shared love of humanity. This year, we are launching a special campaign to raise more than $2 million for Seva Partners to screen and care for children.”
The May 16 benefit/birthday bash will be quite the do, featuring artists Todd Rundgren, Rickie Lee Jones, Steve Earle and Maria Muldaur. Also scheduled to perform, among others, are Cat Power, as well as The Moldy Peaches, the “antifolk” band from NYC, and what the site describes as “very special guests.” Also, of course, an appearance by the Gravy. Each ticket purchased will help provide at least one sight-saving surgery through Seva.
Time to get on the Gravy train.
Wavy Gravy’s 90th Birthday: A Benefit for Seva, 7pm, May 16, The Masonic Auditorium, 1111 California St., San Francisco. $47-119; Tickets here, VIP packages available. 415.343.7582.
