Adam Block Memorial 1951-2008: from Schuyler Ingle

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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Friday, February 1, 2008

from Schuyler Ingle

I can't believe I ever had so much hair on my upper lip. Gone are the days. It would be interesting to know what the drug count was in any given photo.

Some of the pieces of how Adam died have come together for me, through Farrell. I had no idea the move to Bailey-Bushay was on.

So it seems that, Adam being Adam, he chose where and when he wanted to pass over. He managed to have the last word, surrounded by people who loved him, Bob Dylan in his ears, morphine in his bloodstream. Now how sweet is that?

Like Melville said, "The sidelong billow swells to whelm my track. But first, I pass."

Sunday's my day. I am hoping for a beautiful day. But beautiful day or not I have a nice cigar to smoke and the time to smoke it and a subject to hold my thoughts. I'll be thinking of you

Cheers, Schuyler

1 comment:

jim fouratt said...: Ah Schuyler.. you got Adam ... he would certainly be smiling to read:

"He managed to have the last word, surrounded by people who loved him, Bob Dylan in his ears, morphine in his bloodstream. Now how sweet is that?"

And he would certainly want the world to know he died of AIDS .. still a killer disease despite the SPIN..

So in the spirit of Adam's rigorous bravado, picture this: I can just see it he and Freddie M stalking the boys with promises of rock and roll secrets and a little blow .. so to speak..

Adam was so smart and always, always irreverent ..; February 2, 2008 at 8:58 PM