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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Thursday, February 7, 2008

from Dr. Jay Lalezari

I'm not sure it makes any difference, but Adam didn't die of AIDS.
I believe HIV regretted the day it ever met Adam.
That's one battle the virus never won.

Jay
Posted by at

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I had the pleasure of knowing Adam for many years. He was brilliant-- quick, fierce, very funny (although not always intentionally so.) He was very critical, but of course, that was his gig for so many years as a writer.
I miss Adam. I think he knew I was very fond of him. I loved him.

May 23, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Nancy McKee said...

I met Adam and Kenan on the beach in Puerto Vallarta in the early 1980's. Adam read from the book, "Confederacy of Dunces" while I knotted the fringe of his Mexican blanket. Sunscreen flew and splattered all over his body and anyone else who was nearby. We rented a ponga boat and set out to sea. All the way I kept saying that I wanted to run into John Huston and sure enough, as our little boat pulled into Boca de Tomatlan....there was John Huston, all dressed in white. A true gift. On the way to the circus, Adam twisted his ankle, no slowing down, bought a cane and some meds and walked on. I have thought about Adam and Kenan many, many times over the years. I am honored to have met them both.
Nancy McKee

February 3, 2013 at 12:17 PM
Laura Ann said...

Adam interviewed my cousin, Dean Shaw in 1990-1991 regarding his battle against AIDS. After Dean's death in June 1991, Adam was kind enough to make copies of of the interviews for me. In those interviews that lasted 4+ hours, Dean talked about not only AIDS, but his childhood, his beliefs, his hopes his fears, and death. I have been so grateful for to have those tapes over the years, but not more so than now. Recently, Dean's birth daughter, whom he placed for adoption at birth, has contacted me, and not I can share with her not only my memories, but these tapes wherein Dean can share in his own voice, all the things he wanted her to know. Thank you Adam.

December 26, 2013 at 1:12 PM

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