'Twas Life That Killed Him, Not the Smokes

Colby Cosh notes that news organizations are blaming the wrong culprit for Warren Zevon?s death; meanwhile, the Excitable Boy?s buddy Brian Linse writes a touching tribute.

Comments

[Warren]

Fucking media, thank buddha for the blogosphere.

[s.m. koppelman]

I know you guys love your culturally omnivorous, punning headlines on Hit-and-Run items, but according to both Mr. Cosh's entry and the news item it links to, 'twasn't likely "life" or smokes that killed Zevon. They point at asbestos, the traditional culptit in his variety of cancer, but since Zevon may have been writing about a friend or relative and not himself, I don't know. Any Zevon afficionados want to clarify?

[dhex]

who was this guy? i'm no rock expert but i'd never heard of him until he died a few days ago.

[Keith]

dhex:
Most famous in the 70's. Biggest mainstream hit:
"Werewolves of London"; "Laywers Guns and Money" and "Excitable Boy" also occasionally pop up on classic rock radio.

Awoo, werewolves of London.
I saw a werewolf drinking a pina colada at Trader Vic's. His hair was PERFECT.

[EgoLadenDilettanteGuy]

Geez! I KNEW I shouldn't have read that touching tribute--now I'M feeling tightness in my chest.

(I don't think so doctor, I'm pretty sure it's full-blown chondria; can't you check again?)

[Andrew Lynch]

Warren Zevon wasn't a very interesting or provocative musician, although he apparently made lots of people very happy. I hear Werewolves is huge in the karoake circuit.

I wonder why we're talking about what the "news organizations" think about his cause of death. Isn't that holding up a cup of nothing before masses hungry for substance?

[nm156]

He may not have been provocative, but Warren Zevon was extremely interesting, both as a writer and as a performer. I had an opportunity to see him at a club gig in Toronto and almost did not go. I am forever grateful to my brother for convincing me to give this incredibly honest performer a chance. The songs may have been quirky, but the integrity behind them was immense.

[James Merritt]

Let's not forget the monster hit that WZ let Linda Ronstadt borrow: "Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me." I like his own version of it, too.