George Carlin Remembered

Counter-culture comedic genius George Carlin died over the weekend, his beleaguered heart finally giving out on him at age 71. True to form, Carlin had been touring and performing nearly to his last day. The stage was the gifted comedian's true home, and it was where he would let his love of language – and dislike of hypocrisy – fly with a gale-force explosion of words, thoughts, and facial expressions.

Along with Rodney Dangerfield, Carlin was a long-time favorite of mine. I picked up on both artists as a kid, Rodney through his TV appearances, Carlin via albums like FM & AM and Class Clown. Both spoke to me in a different way, and as Carlin got older and crankier, so did I. Although I didn't always agree with Carlin's perspective, I always respected the thought behind his opinions, and the strong work ethic with which he delivered them. More than anything, Carlin made you think, and his unrelenting assault on society's absurdity has continued to shape my mean anti-authoritarian streak.

In the few days since Carlin's death, and for the next few days ... until something else captures the media's attention ... a lot of words will be invested in describing Carlin's life. Yes, he was an American treasure, the winner of numerous awards and accolades. But he was also a seer and a prophet, an artist whose milieu got darker and more disturbing as the years passed. More, perhaps, than merely the insight afforded his advancing age, Carlin realized that the nation he grew up in is going to hell in a handbasket. Luckily, Carlin has always been able to cut through the bullshit, providing the intellectual tools to right the sinking ship of state. For his capacity to entertain, to inspire, and to anger, George Carlin's enormous presence on our culture will be missed. Rest in peace, friend, wherever you may be....

Link: Fred Mills' Carlin tribute from Blurt Online

(Thanks to R. Stevie Moore for passing along this video link)

George Carlin on Death