Richard Lewis Interview 08/08/2026
Photo by Mattie Branson-Meyer
Richard Lewis Interview Transcript:
KRYSTAL: Hello, I am Krystal Lee and I am here with:
RICHARD: Richard Lewis
KRYSTAL: At the Park Slope Old Timers Day at 4th street and 5th Avenue on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Can you spell your name for me, please?
RICHARD: R-I-C-H-A-R-D L-E-W-I-S.
KRYSTAL: What is your relationship to Park Slope?
RICHARD: Um, a old timer, been here since 1968 and I'm a musician.
KRYSTAL: Okay. Do you have a powerful or important memory of Park Slope?
RICHARD: Just that it was quite musical when I was around.
KRYSTAL: It was musical?
RICHARD: Musical.
KRYSTAL: Block parties?
RICHARD: Block parties, lots of musicians, jam sessions. Just hanging out.
KRYSTAL: Playing music on the street?
RICHARD: Playing the music on the street.
KRYSTAL: Really?
RICHARD: Yes, in the parks, school yards, outside of supermarkets.
KRYSTAL: Were you playing music for each other or you were playing music for the community?
RICHARD: Both. We played music as get togethers, and I played by myself on top of the roof whenever I felt like playing, or we would get together in the park and play also with other musicians from different areas, but mostly from this area–from Park Slope. Park Slope and surrounding areas.
KRYSTAL: Okay, very nice. That's something I never knew about Park Slope. Why did you decide to come to the Park Slope Old Timers Day today?
RICHARD: I'm an old timer Park Slopian. And I thought this was something that I needed to do, maybe see some friends that I haven't seen for many years, which I haven't seen anyone yet from my time. No musicians, probably none of the people that I actually knew back then.
KRYSTAL: Really, they've never? So I- I've seen you at multiple events, just about every event for the last three to four years, right?
RICHARD: Right.
KRYSTAL: You've attended. So is there any way that you can–you are still in connection with those people that you used to play music with, where you can maybe invite them to the event, maybe on social media?
RICHARD: No, not all of them. Not all of them. One of my friends played with Eddie Palmeri and I've been to–excuse me– I invited him, he was supposed to come by today, I haven't seen him yet, but maybe he’ll stop by. Other than that, most of the people I know moved out from the area or they passed away.
KRYSTAL: Oh, ok.
RICHARD: I'm 80 years old.
KRYSTAL: Well, if you don't see him today, invite him again next year.
RICHARD: I sure will.
KRYSTAL: One invite, he'll eventually show up. Are there some things you think more people should know about Park Slope?
RICHARD: No, that's the neighborhood– a very nice community, very diverse, had a lot of fun. A lot of fun, which I still think people do in this area. So yeah, I would say that.
KRYSTAL: And I must say that I think that you've already stated something that a lot of people don't know about Park Slope, and that's, you know, you guys just being able to come out and play your musical instruments and sing and dance for the community, so that's an awesome thing that. I mean, I believe. What are your hopes for the future of the neighborhood?
RICHARD: That it still grows, it continues to grow and (?) and it gets better, it gets better.
KRYSTAL: I totally agree. So I would like to thank you for sitting down with me today and completing the interview. I look forward to seeing you again. I will let you know that the reunion is always scheduled for the second Saturday of every August. So no matter the date, when you are able to reconnect with those people that you may not have seen today, you could always let them know: listen, if you didn't make it this year, make sure you put it on your calendar for next year for the second Saturday of August.
RICHARD: Right, okay. Well, remember, my brother's the co-founder so he's going to definitely remind us.
KRYSTAL: Yes, Absolutely. So thank you so much.
RICHARD: No problem. Thank you.
KRYSTAL: Have a great day.
RICHARD: You too.