Monday, February 21, 2005

Hunter S. Thompson 1939-2005


Hunter S. Thompson -- journalist, gun-collector, enemy of the state -- committed suicide on Sunday at the age of 65. Most famous for his book about a road-trip/drug orgy through the Nevada desert, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," he single-handedly invented "gonzo" journalism.

My friend Russ just emailed to remind me of a quote from Hunter - I had forgotten it was he who said it... and it's obvious he knew what the radio business is like:

"The radio business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side."

2 comments:

Bottle Rocket Fire Alarm said...

I'm planning a bender in his honor tonight. I already took tomorrow off and I'm getting cocaine and whiskey for tonight. He will be remembered vigorously.

Dave Morris said...

Indesputably true, yes. Urban legend, yes. His ACTUAL statement was (as found on www.urbanlegend.com):

"The TV business is uglier than most things. It is normally perceived as some kind of cruel and shallow money trench through the heart of the journalism industry, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs, for no good reason."

I've seen the radio version so many times I guess I just assumed it was real. I suppose you can't believe everything you read on the internet, huh?