What if I die and the last thing I hear before I go is Don Henley?

June 15, 2023 1:34 PM

Musician Gurf Morlix tells an amazing story about the time he had a heart attack right before a gig in Florida. (SLYT)
posted by swift (25 comments total)

It'll be the last worthless evening that you'll have to spend?
posted by box at 1:42 PM on June 15, 2023 [22 favorites]

"Then I thought, 'I don't want to die in a Florida tourist shop.'"

This could make for interesting alternate versions of two songs:

Super 8

and

Don Henley Must Die
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:46 PM on June 15, 2023 [2 favorites]

Obligatory
posted by furtive at 1:54 PM on June 15, 2023 [1 favorite]

So, did he live?
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:58 PM on June 15, 2023 [3 favorites]

Also, driving at 90mph during a heart attack is not recommended.
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:59 PM on June 15, 2023 [3 favorites]

I'm nominating box for Comment Of The Year.
posted by hippybear at 2:12 PM on June 15, 2023 [5 favorites]

I had a small stroke on a Toronto streetcar once and couldn't talk or move half my body and managed to get myself to an emergency room where I scrawled "Fine 20 mins ago" onto a piece of paper before they rushed me in. Very strange start to the day.
posted by dobbs at 3:02 PM on June 15, 2023 [4 favorites]

Several years ago I was having a dental implant in my old lower back tooth. The dental surgeon has his pliers on the tooth at the root and it's in deep. He's tugging tugging, my head is coming off the headrest. No lie, on the radio, Kylie. The whole song!
posted by Catblack at 3:11 PM on June 15, 2023 [3 favorites]

I once got a massage in a place that —on repeat— played an acoustic sitar version of Desperado. I was not relaxed. And I’m not even an Eagles hater.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 3:25 PM on June 15, 2023 [2 favorites]

In a New York minute, everything can change
posted by snuffleupagus at 3:28 PM on June 15, 2023 [1 favorite]

So no one's commented on the amazingness of the name Gurf Morlix?
posted by zardoz at 4:09 PM on June 15, 2023 [10 favorites]

old lower back tooth

I have some problems with my lower back, but I'm glad teeth aren't among them.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 4:30 PM on June 15, 2023 [6 favorites]

So no one's commented on the amazingness of the name Gurf Morlix?

He's even wearing an appropriately-labeled hat!
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:47 PM on June 15, 2023 [1 favorite]

"I gotta get this checked out."

Yes. Yes you do.

But look - the hesitation is real. What was likely going through his head was in fact, "What will this cost me?"

This is more of a meta commentary on American healthcare.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:51 PM on June 15, 2023 [6 favorites]

Have been following and catching Gurf in various forms ever since he teamed up with Lucinda in the late 80's and then Robert Earl Keen and Slaid Cleaves in the 90's - a more solid sender you'll never find. I am still in search of an hilarious song he did as a young father about his kid doing ridiculous shit at age six: "I'm six, I poke things with sticks ..." but have never found it recorded.

At any rate, what a freakin' tale, somehow doesn't surprise me one bit - man has been traveling by crappy car or van around this country just doing what he does and it's anyone's guess how he's made it work other than grace and gravity keeps him here.
posted by thecincinnatikid at 5:22 PM on June 15, 2023 [7 favorites]

If that song comes on and you can't do anything about it, try subbing "Nosferatu" for "desperado." It helps a little.
posted by Don Pepino at 5:26 AM on June 16, 2023 [6 favorites]

So no one's commented on the amazingness of the name Gurf Morlix?

Right? And has there ever been a better double bill than Slaid Cleaves with Gurf Morlix?
posted by thecincinnatikid at 8:22 AM on June 16, 2023 [2 favorites]

If that song comes on and you can't do anything about it, try subbing "Nosferatu" for "desperado."

Nosferatu, why don't you come to your senses
You been out biting neckses for so long now
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:33 AM on June 16, 2023 [6 favorites]

Thank you for the intro to Gurf Morlix! I love me a deceptively simple Americana musician.
posted by latkes at 11:03 AM on June 16, 2023 [1 favorite]

For those who weren't already acquainted with Gurf Morflix, here's the song that introduced me to him:
Crossroads
posted by tdismukes at 12:55 PM on June 16, 2023

If that song comes on and you can't do anything about it, try subbing "Nosferatu" for "desperado." It helps a little.

Wow, I thought I was the only one who did that!!
posted by Crane Shot at 3:16 PM on June 16, 2023 [1 favorite]

That noise/vibration you just felt was the Venn diagram creeping in to include more.
posted by hippybear at 3:38 PM on June 16, 2023

I don't recall ever hearing of Gurf Morlix before, but I was sleepless and decided to watch the video. He came across as somebody I'd like if I met him, so I did a bit of poking at his catalog on Bandcamp.

I think I'd describe his singing / delivery as "Tom Waits meets Rowlf from The Muppets" but in the best possible way. Really digging it. Thanks for the share.
posted by jzb at 11:37 AM on June 19, 2023

I don't think the piece points out the irony, but grumpy Celebration, Florida is the original Disney planned community.

Disney still does that sort of thing, if not exactly in the original mold.
posted by snuffleupagus at 2:09 PM on June 20, 2023

I ordered some CDs off Bandcamp and got a prompt reply from Gurf. Seems like the nicest guy. So pleased I actually checked out his music.
posted by jzb at 6:03 PM on June 20, 2023 [1 favorite]