While Star Trek fans around the world mourn the loss of Leonard Nimoy, it’s important to remember his lesser known roles like the bit part as a World War II-era American solider in the 1961 Twilight Zone episode “A Quality of Mercy,” or his severely underrated six season stint as host and narrator of the late 70s program In Search of… which focused on mysteries like Bigfoot, ghosts and the witches of Salem.
Nimoy also had his feet firmly planted in music; he released five albums between 1967 and 1970 where he covered artists like Johnny Cash, Joni Mitchell and Randy Newman in addition to having songs tailored to him by noted composer Charles R. Grean. The entertainer also made cameo appearances alongside more mainstream artists, like his turn as the irritated yet cool-as-fuck looking driver for the Bangles in the 1984 video for their song “Going Down to Liverpool.” More recently, he starred as the robe clad, beer swilling, dart throwing joint smoker in the alternate video for “The Lazy Song” single by Bruno Mars.
The deep voice and catchy phrases Nimoy would utter in Star Trek were irresistible to Information Society, who sampled him on their 1988 top 10 new wave hit “What’s on Your Mind (Pure Energy).” The “pure energy” refrain that’s repeated throughout the song is spoken by Nimoy, who was honored today on the outfit’s Facebook page.
Check out both his Bangles and Bruno Mars roles below.