Richie Joins Leif Solem’s Victory Celebration On Pearl Street, Albany

This is an additional blog about the gentleman who fought the power and asserted his inalienable right to play his guitar in public (aka BUSKING). I wanted to take this one step further.

You know what happened by now. Leif Solem, a seasoned, world traveling street performer was approached by an Albany police officer who thought he was doing the right thing by asking to check his permit.. Thinking that he actually needed one. I don't want to get into that fight, but apparently Lief did and took it to City Hall. They couldn't find any rule on the books to begin with so he's free and clear.

I wrote a Solidarity Parody about it and decided to jump in my little Toyota and sing it right to his face.

I found a group of musicians on the corner of South Pearl and State Street singing their hearts out complete with RIGHT TO BUSK written in sidewalk chalk .

photo by Richie Phillips

The Famous Busker, Leif Solem

photo by Richie Phillips

Love the getups!

photo by Richie Phillips

Sidewalk Chalk Art Design by Joe Gietl. Nice job!