Gary Lucas

Gary Lucas is a guitarist, songwriter and composer who has recorded more than 50 albums and performed with legends including Leonard Bernstein, Lou Reed and Patti Smith.

By Gary Lucas

Art
In 1960’s New York, the past was a foreign country — they sure did things differently there

A cornucopia of Jewish artists populate the pages of 'Everything Is Now,' J. Hoberman's massive survey of New York's avant-garde

By Gary Lucas May 26, 2025 | 8 min read
Film & TV
From WWII Amsterdam, a deeply disturbing story of Dutch complicity with the Nazis

Willy Lindwer's Holocaust documentary 'Lost City' unearths a gruesome chapter in Dutch history

By Gary Lucas Jan 21, 2025 | 3 min read
Culture
‘A Complete Unknown’ proves that one thing about Bob Dylan will certainly endure

The new Dylan movie packs an emotional wallop, even if it fakes just like a biopic

By Gary Lucas Dec 16, 2024 | 4 min read
Culture
In Poland, a return to the scene of an unspeakable crime

A journey to Jedwabne, site of the massacre of 1,600 Jews, kindles both anger and a sense of redemption

By Gary Lucas Jul 9, 2022 | 19 min read
Music
A ‘Dachau’ song so shocking and transformative, there’s nothing else like it

Inspired in part by all the Jewish artists on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs, the Forward decided it was time to rank the best Jewish pop songs of all time. You can find the whole list and accompanying essays here. “Some white folks think it’s hip to have Blacks in their band….

By Gary Lucas Jan 31, 2022 | 2 min read

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Gary Lucas

By Gary Lucas

In 1960’s New York, the past was a foreign country — they sure did things differently there

From WWII Amsterdam, a deeply disturbing story of Dutch complicity with the Nazis

‘A Complete Unknown’ proves that one thing about Bob Dylan will certainly endure

In Poland, a return to the scene of an unspeakable crime

A ‘Dachau’ song so shocking and transformative, there’s nothing else like it

Most Popular

In Case You Missed It

Why a concert hall should be the last place for a protest — particularly an antisemitic one like this

What Hailey Bieber smoothies and instant matzo ball soup reveal about American Jewish taste

Mamdani’s first statement on antisemitism as mayor-elect got some weird pushback

On the trail of a priceless dove, a group of Palestinians and Israelis find that peace is for the birds

Gary Lucas

By Gary Lucas

In 1960’s New York, the past was a foreign country — they sure did things differently there

From WWII Amsterdam, a deeply disturbing story of Dutch complicity with the Nazis

‘A Complete Unknown’ proves that one thing about Bob Dylan will certainly endure

In Poland, a return to the scene of an unspeakable crime

A ‘Dachau’ song so shocking and transformative, there’s nothing else like it

Most Popular

Why some Satmar Hasidic leaders endorsed Zohran Mamdani as mayor, stunning many Jewish voters

Mamdani’s first statement on antisemitism as mayor-elect got some weird pushback

How Mamdani became New York’s next mayor, with Jews divided between fierce opposition and fiery support

Mamdani quoted Eugene Debs in his victory speech — there’s a long Jewish history there

In Case You Missed It

Why a concert hall should be the last place for a protest — particularly an antisemitic one like this

What Hailey Bieber smoothies and instant matzo ball soup reveal about American Jewish taste

Mamdani’s first statement on antisemitism as mayor-elect got some weird pushback

On the trail of a priceless dove, a group of Palestinians and Israelis find that peace is for the birds

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