Here are a few quick thoughts before the month of May ends. Both of them have to do with comedy.
RIP Harvey Korman
This comedic legend passed away this week but left us with plenty of warm memories belly laughs. His work in this sketch from the Carol Burnett Show speaks for itself. He's the one in the chair.
The brilliance of "Office Space"
If you have not seen the movie "Office Space," then what I will post below is a spoiler, so don't read any further if you haven't seen it and want to do so.
I recently came across a word I'd never heard - I guess I was previously deprived due to my Southern upbringing.
"Tchotchke" is a term for "trinkets, small toys, knickknacks, baubles, or kitsch," according to the Wikipedia definition. The name of the restaurant where Jennifer Aniston's character works - and where employees are required to wear flair - is Chotchkie's. Same name, same concept. Brilliant!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
RIP John Rutsey
On May 11, John Rutsey, the first drummer for the Canadian rock band Rush, died at the age of 55 due to complications from a lifelong battle with diabetes.
He was the guy on the skins on the self-titled debut and an important part of bringing the band out into the rest of the world.
In 1974, the year Cleveland DJ Donna Halper discovered Rush and the year "Rush" was released, Rutsey left the band - it is said for health reasons, apparently due to his diabetic condition.
The same year, remaining members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson brought Neil Peart aboard. And the rest, as they say, is history. The band generated numerous gold and platinum albums over the course of at least three decades and a loyal following which continues today after 34 years. [They are currently on tour at the ages of 54 (Lifeson and Lee) and 55 (Peart.)]
A comment I read online in the last few days basically says this: Rutsey must have been a class guy because he didn't ride the coattails of his bandmates' later success. He didn't venture out to talk shows, or write books or do any other "Hey, look at me" stuff. He just lived the rest of his life in relative obscurity.
He helped launch one of the most successful and - in my opinion, one of the best - rock acts in recording history.
An anonymous drummer posted this tribute to Rutsey based on clips of his own very good drum-along to portions of the album "Rush."
So whether he asked for it or not, John Rutsey deserves one last round of applause.
He was the guy on the skins on the self-titled debut and an important part of bringing the band out into the rest of the world.
In 1974, the year Cleveland DJ Donna Halper discovered Rush and the year "Rush" was released, Rutsey left the band - it is said for health reasons, apparently due to his diabetic condition.
The same year, remaining members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson brought Neil Peart aboard. And the rest, as they say, is history. The band generated numerous gold and platinum albums over the course of at least three decades and a loyal following which continues today after 34 years. [They are currently on tour at the ages of 54 (Lifeson and Lee) and 55 (Peart.)]
A comment I read online in the last few days basically says this: Rutsey must have been a class guy because he didn't ride the coattails of his bandmates' later success. He didn't venture out to talk shows, or write books or do any other "Hey, look at me" stuff. He just lived the rest of his life in relative obscurity.
He helped launch one of the most successful and - in my opinion, one of the best - rock acts in recording history.
An anonymous drummer posted this tribute to Rutsey based on clips of his own very good drum-along to portions of the album "Rush."
So whether he asked for it or not, John Rutsey deserves one last round of applause.
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