Some may know the story of Jesse Malin. The longtime cornerstone of New York’s East Village music scene suffered a traumatic spinal stroke in 2023, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. The singer-songwriter, who has long preached “positive mental attitude”, persevered through months of medical treatments and physical therapy with the hope of returning to the stage. That goal was realized earlier this month at New York’s famed Beacon Theatre. And, as Ringo said, he got by with a little help from his friends.
Enjoy this playlist of just a few highlights from Malin’s two-night stand at the Beacon. We kick things off with one of the show’s more emotional moments – a seated Malin pulling himself up to stand in front of a mic and belting out his R&B gem “She Don’t Love Me Now”. From there we get Steve Van Zandt serving up an electrifying guitar solo on Malin’s “Turn Up the Mains”, Elvis Costello and Lucinda Williams covering the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses”, Butch Walker rocking out Malin’s “In the Modern World”, Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis letting his guitar wail on Malin’s “Brooklyn” and, at Jesse’s request, Adam Duritz and David Immerglück from Counting Crows performing their own “A Long December”. And how about the rousing close from night one – Malin leading all of the above, save Van Zandt, on a cover of the Clash’s “Rudy Can’t Fail”.
To support Malin’s recovery, many friends and fans – including Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joe Armstrong, to name just a few – banded together to record a tribute album Silver Patron Saints. You can also support Malin’s recovery via the Sweet Relief Foundation.
At the end of the music playlist is a recent interview with Malin about the stroke and his recovery.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.