September 12, 2002

11:42 AM

Very bad news for Warren Zevon.AP reports that he has untreatable lung cancer. His quote: "I'm OK with it, but it'll be a drag if I don't make it till the next James Bond movie comes out." Damn. Damn.
posted by maudlin (18 comments total)

For Zevon newbies: Basket Case (mp3), co-written with Carl Hiassen.
posted by maudlin at 11:46 AM on September 12, 2002

Yeah, but his hair is perfect. (Sorry. I'm so sorry.)

That's a shame, although I have a feeling this won't be the first classic rock star turning up cancerous in the next few years. I'm not quite as sad about this as I was when I heard about Zappa, but every strong songwriter (and otherwise-writer) will be missed.
posted by me3dia at 11:57 AM on September 12, 2002

I was gonna say that maybe we should wait till he's dead before getting all sentimental, but the sick, twisted genius who gave us "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" might appreciate the wierdness of listening to his own eulogy.

Good luck and God Bless,Mr Zevon
posted by jonmc at 11:59 AM on September 12, 2002

For those who don't know, Warren's happiness will be insured if he survives another 40 days. Wish him well.
posted by dhartung at 12:21 PM on September 12, 2002

No! Wait! I forgot a month. (Hits head on wall.)

That would be another 71 days. I'm sorry.

And while I share m3dia's concern, I hope we don't need a pre-obit on MeFi for every one of them. There's usually not that much to say.
posted by dhartung at 12:23 PM on September 12, 2002

This page has an Acoustic Cafe interview and live performance from awhile back.
(Toward the bottom)
posted by ice_cream_motor at 12:31 PM on September 12, 2002

send lawyers, guns, and money. the shit has hit the fan.
posted by quonsar at 12:32 PM on September 12, 2002

Veracruz is one of my favorite songs of all time. This is sad news. But I'm still trying to cope with the death of Johnny Unitas.

(Maybe if we make this one big "dead and/or dying" thread, we can keep the meta-kvetching to a minimum.)
posted by Wulfgar! at 1:28 PM on September 12, 2002

What a drag. Either "Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead", or "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" would make a fine eulogy for him.

I've seen Mr. Zevon perform twice; the first time, at the Rainbow in Hollywood right after "Excitable Boy" came out, was one of the best shows I've ever seen. The second time, in Boulder, featured only a bass player and Warren on keyboards and was equally outstanding.
posted by MrBaliHai at 1:37 PM on September 12, 2002

Abe Vigoda: Still not dead.

1921-2002 (and counting).
posted by UKnowForKids at 1:37 PM on September 12, 2002

Damn. Just yesterday I was humming "Accidentally Like a Martyr" in the shower. This is bad news, indeed.
posted by schmedeman at 2:50 PM on September 12, 2002

I was sitting in the Hollywood Hawaiian Hotel, I was listening to the air conditioner hum, It went mmmmmm....
posted by xowie at 3:00 PM on September 12, 2002

Anyone else love the Hindu Love Gods?
posted by Joey Michaels at 3:28 PM on September 12, 2002

Will we get a new post when he actually goes into the hospital, and then when he keels, too?
posted by Su at 3:36 PM on September 12, 2002

For all the Tenacious D fans out there who think that Zevon is just that "Werewolves of London" novelty songwriter, I'd encourage you to give another listen. Warren writes wonderful biting, cynical music with some great pop hooks. In the Acoustic Cafe interview (thanks ice cream motor, great link) he actually uses the term "metal folk." What terrible irony his previous album contemplated mortality (Life'll Kill You), and it's going to happen all too soon. The gods have a f*cking twisted sense of humor.
posted by chipr at 4:17 PM on September 12, 2002

I would certainly have preferred it if, at any time during Zevon's career, he'd gotten this much press just for being kick-ass in general.
posted by padraigin at 4:35 PM on September 12, 2002

Unfortunely this isn't press....

Zevon started recording in '65. He career has been more of a low-flying black helicopter than a rocket. That might not have been what he wanted, but it meant fans got plenty of intimate concerts. (More than a few of them he even remembers...)

Clint Eastwood ; "he did everything but drink vodka from a silver boot".

Richard Gere : "I saw him drink vodka from a silver boot".

A toast to the man who worked "brucellosis" into a song.
posted by ?! at 4:56 PM on September 12, 2002

LA Times: Facing Mortality With Mischief Rather Than Tears.
posted by xowie at 1:41 PM on September 15, 2002