Saturday, October 16, 2010

RIP Jack Powers.



Jack Powers passed away recently. He made it to 73 although his last years were clouded by an increasingly debilitating series of strokes. Reading over his obituary, I was struck by how he was the role model I never knew.


He was born poor and died poor but spent his whole life more or less giving of himself to the things he cared about, particularly poetry. He became the local contact for a parade of legendary beats in a blue blood town inclined to despise them. He'd give you the coat off his back if you needed it. Personal philanthropy at the sidewalk level.


He was also helpful to musicians and had a scene when there was no other one. There beyond all that is grandiose, ostentatious and noxious would be Jack.


Sleep you well.

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