While My Accordion Gently Weeps...

Back to the political sniping in a minute...

Truly a day of mourning.

And just when he was going through a critical and artistic renewal. Reports were that he planned to release an all-polka version of The Wall, with Wayne Newton, David Bowie and Celine Dion on vocals to be followed up by a national tour, backed up by the White Stripes


But I've heard that he had his problems too. You know he was known as the Happy Norwegian; apparently he was grinning because he was stoned all the time.

Introduced to marijuana in his native land while a teenager, he was a teetotaler until joining the Welk posse, legendary for the decadence and after-show brawl/orgies. He rapidly became known as "The Ironman" for his ability to hold liquor; but had a marked tendency for violence when using pot or hallucinogens. He once shredded a throw pillow with 3 foot garden shears, claiming it 'was too loud'.

While on tour with Johnny Cash in 1964-1965, the epochal Country Trash Tour, Cash's entourage introduced him to speed and cocaine; although huffing Elmer's Glue through feminine napkins quickly became his vice of choice. He was often seen backstage at the Welk tapings, nose running and looking for Dinsdale. A staffer was eventually designated as 'Stageside Kleenex' to wipe traces of powder or blood from his nose prior to entering the stage.

After the Welk show ceased production, he continued to tour, and met the members of Stone Temple Pilots in San Diego, before they had a record deal. It has been long suspected that Floren helped them get signed; but no one from either band has ever confirmed this. Eventually he became an elder statesmen of the then burgeoning grunge scene, often joining bands like Soundgarden, Mudhoney, Temple of The Dog, or the Melvins on stage with his accordion when a gig was going particularly badly; this invariably demonstrated to the audiences just how badly a gig could go. Often, the club would empty, giving the band a night off. Then they would hit the town for a night of debauchery.

Regrettably, he never performed with Kurt Cobain.

In honor of his passing, all the members of grunge bands past and present are wearing black today.