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Remembering Gil Scott-Heron

First Posted: 05/28/2011 12:09 pm Updated: 07/28/2011 5:12 am

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Spinner.ca:

Gil Scott-Heron, the musician, poet, author and hip-hop pioneer who wrote 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,' has died in New York at age 62. The sad news was revealed on Twitter by his UK publisher. The cause of death is currently unknown.

One of America's greatest cultural figures of the 1970s and an inspiration to generations since, Scott-Heron had been in fragile health for many years as a result of a decades-long battle with cocaine and HIV infection.

Read the whole story: Spinner.ca

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Ralph A. Miriello

Ralph A. Miriello: The Revolution Will Be Jazz: Giacomo Gates Celebrates The Music Of Gil Scott-Heron

The Revolution Will Be Jazz is certainly a noble homage to Gil Scott-Heron and his work. Mr. Ruffin should be proud of the results. With this album Mr. Gates has successfully ventured into new ground.
Eliza Lomas

Eliza Lomas: Gone Too Soon: Gil Scott-Heron

When asking people to reminisce for 40 minutes about a close friend they lost just last year, you are led to the most honest expressions of friendship and love. At the end of each interview I asked people if there was anything they would like to add, and they nearly always spoke out a final heartfelt message to their friend.

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dasimms
11 Fans
11:51 PM on 05/29/2011
I am fortunate to have seen him live at the Catamaran in San Diego, CA back in the early 70s. People quote his prophetic words often. Some may not know they are quoting him! I read that he considered himself a bluesologist. He did not necessarily accept the notion that he was the father of hip-hop. While hip-hop may have started out as concious rap about real issues; too often hip-hop was commercially perverted to a genre that did little more than celebrate sex, violence and materialism. RIP Gil Scott-Heron. We saw you, we heard you and felt you. Thank you for your spoken word that will live on.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
MACDONALDBANK1
34 Fans
 
10:40 PM on 05/28/2011
Thanks Gil ....

www.ABILLIONBUCKS.com
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
MACDONALDBANK1
34 Fans
 
10:40 PM on 05/28/2011
Gil opened the doors for us rappers ....

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps
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GuyCybershy
1836 Fans
 
05:31 PM on 05/28/2011
B movie from 1981. Says all you need to know about the Reagan Era.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKQd_Ixm-jQ
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TheExplainer
Let me explain...
28 Fans
02:35 PM on 05/28/2011
I'm stunned. He fascinated me. I remembered The Revolution... from when I was a little kid... I rediscovered Gil a few years ago thanks to YouTube and started collecting everything I could find of his. I pretty much listened to nothing but Gil for more than a year straight... One of the most authentic and worthwhile artists I've ever encountered. I was lucky enough to see him last year. R.I.P.
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ksun1
35 Fans
01:48 PM on 05/28/2011
One of the best performances I ever witnessed was when Gil stepped in as a last-minute replacement for an ill Bob Marley at Madison Square Garden. He was the opening act for Stevie Wonder; and it seemed that having each other on the bill pushed them both to new heights that night. I only wish Bob could have been there, too--we didn't know he was dying rather than just recovering from a soccer injury. Not a single concert-goer complained about having Gil as a replacement for Bob; and the audience didn't seem to want the concert to end. It was such a night of musical magic that I never forgot it.

Rest in peace, brother Prophet; you deserve it.
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wethree
62 Fans
12:46 PM on 05/28/2011
I still have an album, from the mid-70's, that spun endlessly on my turntable while at University and my first few apartments. Then, albums faded and I never replaced his music on tape or CD or mp3 . . .

But, a week ago when my teenage daughter was writing a paper for her High School class about music, poetry and politics, I encouraged her to listen to Gil Scott-Heron on some YouTube videos. . .she was enthralled. . .his music hadn't aged (though I had). . .it was as fresh and unique as ever. . .

I wish I had listened to his music more over the years. . .
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