HST Last Request

February 23, 2005 2:54 PM

Funeral Arrangements: Shot out of a Cannon “The optimal, best-case scenario is the ashes will be shot out of a cannon,” ... Other arrangements were pending.

Talk about a funeral that I am going to hate missing...
posted by lilboo (36 comments total)

Is the cannon to be aimed at anyone in particular?
posted by R. Mutt at 3:02 PM on February 23, 2005

I was JUST reading that... quote of the day!
posted by santiagogo at 3:05 PM on February 23, 2005

I was getting all choked up again until I came to this bit at the end:
Other Thompson books selling well include “Hell’s Angels,” “Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail ’72” and “Hey Rube.”

Does it get any more crass than that?
posted by TungstenChef at 3:09 PM on February 23, 2005

I assume the ashes will be contained in some way? Seems kinda silly otherwise. And shot at what, exactly?

At least his remains aren't being hurled by trebuchet.

"what sounded like a book hitting the floor"

Indeed.
posted by undule at 3:12 PM on February 23, 2005

I figured he just wanted them spread, via cannon.
Containing them in some sort of ash-cannon-ball seems alot more silly to me.
posted by Espoo2 at 3:16 PM on February 23, 2005

he always was a son of a gun ...
posted by pyramid termite at 3:28 PM on February 23, 2005

If John Denver were still alive, Hunter'd probably want to be shot towards his cabin. As it is, I think the boom is the important aspect.

Tungsten Chef, I read this article elsewhere and I don't recall seeing anything like that sentence. It is in poor, poor taste.
posted by fenriq at 3:29 PM on February 23, 2005

This is actually mentioned in the bonus features of the Criterion Collection release of "Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas".

As I recall (I'd look, but I'd loaned the DVD to a buddy), it's in the BBC documentary/interview with HST.

As laid out there, it's not just any run of the mill cannon, but a large, chromed version of the "gonzo fist" (with two thumbs). It was to be set up on the far side of his ranch, on some hills on the other side of a large pasture. Also, it's aimed vertically.

They even had cheesy animation of it ... and I got to say, even then it looked pretty cool.
posted by Relay at 3:33 PM on February 23, 2005

"If one of Hunter S. Thompson's last wishes comes true, the body of the late maverick journalist will be cremated this week and his ashes blasted from a cannon across his sprawling ranch in Woody Creek, Colo. That will be the extent of Thompson's funeral, as he told friends and family, said George Tobia Jr., a Boston-based entertainment lawyer who has represented the author for the past 15 years. Tobia said he has spent a few hours every week, often in the wee hours of the day, fielding requests from and chatting up the man who created gonzo journalism." [Boston Globe | February 22, 2005
posted by ericb at 3:40 PM on February 23, 2005

When I die and my body is cremated, a couple close friends have the task of carrying around a portion of my ashes and blowing them in the face of anyone I've placed on a list - there's just a few people with whom I want to have the last word...
posted by mctsonic at 3:44 PM on February 23, 2005

Ralph Steadman discusses this in his eulogy in The Independent:

Now I will be expected to build the monstrous cannon in Woody Creek, a 100ft-high column of steel tubes, with the big red fist on its top and his ashes placed in a fire bomb in its palm.

"Two thumbs, Ralph! Don't forget the two thumbs!!" It was the Gonzo fist and he really believes I can do it!

Embedded in a fire bomb shot out of a gonzo-fist cannon designed by Ralph Steadman. Now that's performance art!
posted by gompa at 3:44 PM on February 23, 2005

Relay, you are correct, it's in "Fear and Loathing in Gonzovision." I just watched that Monday night, and then went on-line and saw the Steadman reference to it.

I really hope that it happens.
posted by mkhall at 3:49 PM on February 23, 2005

Wow. That is the most badass thing ever.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 3:54 PM on February 23, 2005

I Love It.
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 3:55 PM on February 23, 2005

Hunter Thompson's death attracts buyers and sellers [Aspen Daily News | February 23, 2005]
posted by ericb at 4:00 PM on February 23, 2005

"...a commemoration for Thompson's close friends and family has been scheduled on March 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Belly Up nightclub in Aspen, a.k.a. Fat City - the name The Good Doctor initially prescribed to owner Michael Goldberg." [Aspen Daily News | February 23, 2005]
posted by ericb at 4:02 PM on February 23, 2005

I had a funny visual until I read "ashes."
posted by Mach3avelli at 4:02 PM on February 23, 2005

Hunter Thompson's death feeds frenzy for merchandise: If you’re looking for Hunter S. Thompson memorabilia, don’t go to the Woody Creek Store. [Aspen Times | February 23, 2005]
posted by ericb at 4:04 PM on February 23, 2005

gompa, thanks for the link to Steadman's Eulogy.

mctsonic, that's a great idea! Nothing like the final final word!
posted by fenriq at 4:12 PM on February 23, 2005

My friend actually did this. He built a cannon powered by compressed air (scuba tank). Not huge, but powerful enough to send an orange through 1/2 inch plywood at 50 feet. The ceremony (launch?) was quite eventful. The canister containing his friends' ashes was rigged with a small explosive so it would detonate in the air. Firing was a two-man operation, one lighting the fuse and loading the cannon, the other manning the air tank to make sure the pressure built up correctly. Unfortunately, the assistant was a little impatient and pulled the trigger too soon. There wasn't enough pressure to launch the canister out far enough and it exploded directly over the crowd. Everyone was showered with little bits of Bob. After the shock and laughter, everyone agreed that it was exactly what he would have wanted.
posted by killy willy at 4:16 PM on February 23, 2005

"Donny was a good bowler, and a good man. He was...he was one of us. He was a man who loved the outdoors, and bowling, and as a surfer he explored the beaches of southern California from La Holla to Leo Carillo, and up to Pismo. He died.. he died as so many young men of his generation before his time, and in your wisdom, Lord, you took him. Just as you took so many bright, flowering young men at Khe San, and Lan Doc, and Hill 364. These young men gave their lives, and so did Donny. Donny who loved bowling. And so, Theodore Donald Karabotsos.. in accordance with what we think your dying wishes might well have been....we commit your final mortal remains to the bosom of the Pacific Ocean, which you loved so well. Goodnight, sweet prince."
posted by anthill at 4:22 PM on February 23, 2005

I assume the ashes will be contained in some way? Seems kinda silly otherwise. And shot at what, exactly?

GW Bush's face would be a fitting final touch, methinks.
posted by jonmc at 4:24 PM on February 23, 2005

When I die, I want my ashes scattered all over my home so that my wife can clean up after me, one more time.
posted by ColdChef at 4:34 PM on February 23, 2005

If you're looking for Hunter S. Thompson memorabilia, don go to the Woody Creek Store

No, don't go there, just visit eBay with all the other fucking ghouls.
posted by fixedgear at 5:14 PM on February 23, 2005

A long time ago I attended a military college on the east coast that had weekly "pass and review" parades. The corps of cadets would all line up on the parade ground by order of height. As I was one of the shortest my company was situated most near the old Civil War cannon.

On one particular chilly Friday the ashes of an alum were blown out of the cannon according to his last wishes. Needless to say I received a light dusting of carbon. Good times.

Me, I would like to have my ashes placed in the gas tank of a top-fuel dragster. Vrooom.
posted by OpinioNate at 5:27 PM on February 23, 2005

I'd prefer to use the ashes as bitters in a Wild Turkey Rye Old-Fashion.

Or let them loose in the air vents at the Nixon Presidential Library in LA.
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 5:47 PM on February 23, 2005

When I die and my body is cremated, a couple close friends have the task of carrying around a portion of my ashes and blowing them in the face of anyone I've placed on a list...

I'd rather my final remains be used to cut a tabs of Ectasy that will be handed out to hotties.
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 5:50 PM on February 23, 2005

Godspeed to Thompson's ashes, but I have a different idea about going out with dignity. I've told all of my family that when I start peeing myself and can't hold liquor, send me off into the Yukon terrirory to fend for myself. I'm thinking I'll be drunk and will piss off some wolves and be eaten by the greatest creatures on the planet.
posted by snsranch at 6:56 PM on February 23, 2005

I'm thinking I'll be drunk and will piss off some wolves and be eaten by the greatest creatures on the planet.

I like the way you think.
posted by COBRA! at 7:22 PM on February 23, 2005

Help save Alaska's wolves, so that they'll be around for snsranch's demise!
posted by ericb at 7:52 PM on February 23, 2005

At least make sure Farley Mowat is around to send snsranch off to the proper Alaskan tundra!

A noble way to go!
posted by ericb at 7:54 PM on February 23, 2005

Never Cry Wolf!
posted by ericb at 7:57 PM on February 23, 2005

Contrary to popular belief, cremain results mostly in small bone fragments, not "ashes".
posted by sophist at 8:13 PM on February 23, 2005

Just so it's on record (on servers that will hopefully surpass my own temporal years), I want a funeral pyre on top of a canoe pushed down the mighty north-flowing St. Johns River. IANAL, but Metafilter should be as good as any will.
posted by trinarian at 8:32 PM on February 23, 2005

OpinioNate, I have a picture of your final resting place:
posted by anthill at 8:52 PM on February 23, 2005

Shame they're going to cremate him. I think the friends and family would get a greater show if the body was shot out intact. Somewhere in Death Valley in the open desert, just send him sailing for about a mile, while the living have in their left hand a warm PBR and their right hand arched over their brow in a firm, respectful military salute.

Godspeed, you bastard
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 5:38 PM on February 24, 2005