Adam Block Memorial 1951-2008: from Alastair Johnston

Adam Parker Block Memorial----1951-2008

Adam Parker Block----1951-2008

Adam Parker Block, 56, died Sunday morning January 27th at his home in San Francisco after a protracted pulmonary illness. A fifth generation Seattleite, he was born at Swedish Hospital February 7, 1951. He attended high school at Lakeside and Putney Schools and college at Reed, California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts), graduating from Harvard.

Adam was a writer, avid reader and keen social observer and critic whose deep curiosity and insights crossed many disciplines. He lived in San Francisco for the past 30 years. In the 80’s Adam was popular music critic for The Advocate where he wrote a regular column, "Block on Rock". His writing also appeared in numerous publications including Mother Jones, the San Francisco Examiner magazine Image, the Bay Area Reporter, the New Musical Express and Creem. During that time, Adam interviewed virtually every pop star from Elton John to Bono.

Adam was a challenging and unforgettable friend, in turns fiercely loyal and loving and breathtakingly selfish, combative and self absorbed. His curiosity, knowledge, humor and spirit were contagious. Adam believed punctuality, deadlines and being awake during daylight hours were vastly overrated. He loved to outrage and often bragged that being gay, Jewish and half Texan (on his mother’s side)---he had something to offend most everyone. Adam loved literature, art, music, film, news, politics, humor, ideas, food, drink and travel---but most of all, smart lively conversation and animated debate.

Adam is survived by nine siblings; Jonathan, Daniel, Kenan, Susanna, Mary Judith, Tamara, Christina, Melinda, Newton and his step mother, Mary Lou Block as well as 13 nieces and nephews. Adam’s father Robert Jackson Block and mother Dorothy Wolens Block preceded him in death.

With Adam’s death, the lives of those who knew him will be calmer and quieter but far less interesting.

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Sunday, February 3, 2008

from Alastair Johnston

A friend of mine, Adam Block, just died. He was a craggy cowboy type, and drawled a bit like Ed Dorn. He was a music journalist also: he wrote for CREEM and similar venues, about rock and roll, interviewed Bono, Elton John and so on. He was larger than life and always bragging about his buddies Greil Marcus and Gus Van Sant. One night in fact we were at dinner and Gus Van Sant called him to say he was in town with Keanu Reeves and where was a cool bar to hit. I think he sent them to Aub's Zam Zam Room. I started believing his tall tales after that.

Adam was a crazy guy ready with the grand gesture. Always sniffing copious amounts of coke and drinking us under the table. He was a gay Jew from Texas so he had no choice but to be outrageous and that was what we loved about him. But guys like me reached a point where we gave up on the excess. I didn't become anti-drug, I just didn't feel the need to be getting high all the time, yet Adam felt it was his duty.

Maybe he was doing it for us. To show us that, yes, you could be pushing 60 and still acting like a kid. Dumping anything into your body and asking for more. I see balding guys with pony tails and have to laugh. They missed the boat long ago. But Adam was younger than me, so that makes me feel more mortal. Still, he had a great life.

I went to see him in a hospice a few months ago. We went onto the roof so he could smoke. He had to take off his oxygen mask to get the cigarette into his mouth. He never stopped.