Interesting, overlooked, and significant obituaries from around the world, as they happen, emphasizing the positive achievements of those who have died. Member, Society of Professional Obituary Writers.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Bill Mazer aka Morris Mazer
Sports journalist, radio host, and living sports encyclopedia -- via the New York Times.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Tony Brevett
Vocalist; co-founder of the Melodians -- via the Jamaica Observer. One-third of the sweet singers that recorded "Rivers of Babylon."
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Lou Reed
Musician, songwriter, and performer; a key figure in the history of American music -- via NPR. Where do I begin? A founding member of the Velvet Underground. Created "Berlin" and "New York," two of the greatest albums of all time.
His parents gave him shock therapy because he was gay. He hooked up as a student with Delmore Schwartz, one of my favorite poets. He had a vision that rock could communicate much more than teenage lust, ditty-bop ectstasies, or groovy trips. It could examine life as thoroughly as Baudelaire, Poe, Celine did. He was brave enough to be honest about himself and what he witnessed.
And he fucking rocked. He even imposed Metal Machine Music on us, with perverse rigor and absolute no concern for the audience whatsoever.
He wasn't a pretty boy. He was nervous and confused, like us. He was a junkie; he wasn't. He was gay, he was straight, he was gay, he was straight. Didn't matter. Lou, you made it OK to be a freak and question everything, especially oneself! Thank you for all the dark magic.
His parents gave him shock therapy because he was gay. He hooked up as a student with Delmore Schwartz, one of my favorite poets. He had a vision that rock could communicate much more than teenage lust, ditty-bop ectstasies, or groovy trips. It could examine life as thoroughly as Baudelaire, Poe, Celine did. He was brave enough to be honest about himself and what he witnessed.
And he fucking rocked. He even imposed Metal Machine Music on us, with perverse rigor and absolute no concern for the audience whatsoever.
He wasn't a pretty boy. He was nervous and confused, like us. He was a junkie; he wasn't. He was gay, he was straight, he was gay, he was straight. Didn't matter. Lou, you made it OK to be a freak and question everything, especially oneself! Thank you for all the dark magic.
William Harrison
Novelist, short-story writer, and screenwriter; best known as the creator of "Rollerball" -- via the Arkansas Times. Also wrote the screenplay for the little-known gem "Mountains of the Moon."
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
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