George Frayne, known worldwide as Commander Cody, passed away September 26, 2021, in his longtime home of Saratoga Springs, NY.

The Commander’s band, The Lost Planet Airmen, turned music sideways with its blend of country, rock, psychedelia and humor. Bolstered by the amazing guitar work of Master of the Telecaster, Bill Kirchen, Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen had only one chart-topper, “Hot Rod Lincoln,” but it remains one of the best car songs of all time.

A dedicated midnight toker, Frayne would introduce his cult favorite, “Seeds and Stems,” as the “saddest song in the world,” then sing a litany of woes:

Well, my dog died the other day and left me all alone
The finance company dropped by today and repossessed my home
That’s just a drop in the bucket compared to losing you
And I’m down to seeds and stems again, too

The Commander’s formal training was in the visual arts, which he continued to produce throughout his life, including publishing a book of paintings, Art Music and Life.

He is survived by his wife and biggest fan, Sue Casanova, and a legion of audiences whom he made smile.