Adam Block Memorial 1951-2008: from Annie Janowitz

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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Tuesday, February 5, 2008

from Annie Janowitz

I first met Adam in 1971 at Reed College, and met up with him again in the1980s when he lived across the street from Wyatt Landesman's Post CardStore, where I slept in the upstairs store-room and wrote my phd dissertation.

Adam was someone who opened up the world to me by teaching me about wit and literate conversation. I was working at city lights and he was living in the art gallery run by his friend Steve ??? Who was also a Reedie. Adam was one of the original postcard people -- he had beautiful spindlyhandwriting and his cards were always funny.

He stayed for a month or so with my family in NYC when he was on his way to London sometime in the mid1970s. Adam was a model of how to find pleasure and delight in the world. I adored him.

My deepest condolences to his family and his friends.

Annie Janowitz