Adam Block Memorial 1951-2008: from Japhet Asher

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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Monday, February 4, 2008

from Japhet Asher

Adam:

Here in London, I noticed your Skype symbol had gone to a pale grey X, just like eyes in the cartoons, and now I find that you really are gone. What will I do without my “Wailing Wall”?

You never really forgave me for leaving San Francisco and one thing you would never be is a hypocrite. I knew you’d never leave willingly. Despite all the obvious evidence to the contrary, I never quite believed that this could really happen.

So from the distance of miles I’m going to keep on thinking of you in your flat in North Beach, on top of and surrounded by mountains of paper, chewing on the long forbidden plastic ciggy holders, and pontificating on just about anything and everything with the scary recall of the blessed and possessed. You had me believing that anything is possible. And that is an extraordinary gift, pal.

Keep on raging, Adam, wherever you are! And I’ll try to believe. But life will be a paler grey without you.

Cathy sends love. So do I.

Japhet