"Goodbye, Gil" 1949-2011
It was no secret to anyone who came across him in song or life, that Gil Scott-Heron was two things: A genius and a junkie. I say this so simply, because Gil was this clear about everything he ever said to me.
In the the anthemic and eternally poignant song "The Revolution will Not Be Televised" the genius Gil was able to make us think about the world in a different way, laugh hysterically about the ironies of American culture, and anger at the hypocrisy of our political system, all to a beat that kept us on the dance floor, with a voice and flow that kept you waiting with anticipation for the next phrase.
I had always considered Gil to be the Godfather of modern rap and when I asked him if he considered himself the inventor of it, he responded with humility and truth,"I don't know if I was THE inventor of rap, but I was definitely there while it was being invented". In "Johannesburg" Gil kept us dancing to the revolution, while opening our eyes to the evils of South Africa's Apartheid. In the acapela "Whitey on the Moon" Gil kept us laughing with nearly tongue in cheek lines like "I can't pay no doctor bill, but Whitey's on the moon, Ten year's from now I'll be paying still, but Whitey's on the moon". Even in his rage Gil delivered his lines through a smile, chuckle and baritone that made everyone feel connected to him.
To anyone who met Gil or saw him onstage it was clear that he was an addict. The first time I met him in San Francisco in 1991 while working as a doorman at the Kennel Klub, my heart was broken to see a hero of mine barely able to make it to the stage, but when he got there he was clear as crystal while singing and dropping knowledge bombs in his between song banter. His view of the world was so sad and yet so inspiring. He made me think about the man and musician I wanted to be and I always left his shows questioning my own beliefs and wanting to go out and change the world.
One night after a show in Emeryville California, when Gil was particularly high, I asked him what it meant to be a rapper and he said, "rap is poetry put to music and the role of the poet in our society, is to make difficult things easy to understand." I never forgot that phrase. He put his arm around me and he said, "it's on you and your generation now".
The next morning I got a call from his girlfriend who said that Gil had missed his flight and asked if I would go to the hotel to check on him. I arrived at the hotel and tried to call the room but there was no answer, I asked the hotel manager to take me to his room, but when I knocked on the door there was still no answer. I begged the manager to let me in the room because there could be a medical emergency and when he opened the door I found Gil passed out on the bed in a mess of cash, drugs and candy wrappers. I thought he was dead and was surprised when I shook him and he woke up. I told him he needed to get on his flight or he was going to miss the next show in Toronto, where the rest of the band had already arrived. I took him to I-HOP, got him fed and coffee'd up while he tried to pull himself together. I joked with him that my nickname for him was "Pills Pot-Heroin" he laughed hard and said "That's a good one Mike!" He was so appreciative that I had come to find him and kept thanking me in between calls to his dealer, all while mumbling that he was so sad that I had to see him this way. I told him he should spend one more night in the hotel, but he insisted on going to the airport, when he got there he had lost his ticket and dropped 3000$'s cash for a first class flight to Toronto.
The next day I got a call from his girlfriend. He never made it onto his connecting flight in Chicago and went missing for three months. This was unfortunately the pattern with Gil. In his charm he left a wake of broken hearted people who he was close to.
Over the years people have compared my musical style to Gil's.. Early in my career one of the worst reviews I ever received on a record said, "Franti can't rap as well as (Public Enemy's) Chuck D and can't sing as well as Gil Scott Heron!" It was meant to be a slight, but I was so thrilled to be named in a sentence with Chuck and especially Gil, that I read it as a compliment!
My two favorite songs of Gil's were his saddest and most personal, 1971's "Pieces of a Man" and "Home is where the Hatred is". In the latter he describes "home" as that place in his heart where it is so painful to live that he would prefer to never go there.
A junkie walking through the twilight
I'm on my way home
I left three days ago, but no one seems to know I'm gone…
…home is where the needle marks
try to heal my broken heart
and it might not be such a bad idea if I never, if I never went home again
home again
Gil Scott-Heron has finally gone "home" and I hope he has finally found a peaceful place in his heart. He brought so much excitement, empowerment, humor, politics, dance and wisdom to my life as a musician and a man. He was a great example of how to strive to be one's best and how to avoid being your worst. He was my "Beatles", my "Nelson Mandela", my "Richard Pryor", my "William Shakespeare". He lived way longer than I expected him to and far shorter than I ever hoped he would. I was deeply touched by every moment we had together. I am very sad today, and am a better person for having loved him and his music the way that I always will.
Thank you and goodbye Gil.
Michael Franti
Comments
May 2013
Although its been a minute or
Although its been a minute or two since the last response, this post begs one. GSH was a great many things as most humans are. He was everything from the dark seemingly hopeless figure of the junkie, from whom many of his songs were spawned, to a more humble sensitive romantic Gil, who was equally inspired to write songs of victory, love and hope. He was everything in between as well. Gil Scott Heron leaves behind a record of music and poetry that reflect human tragedy, triumph and sorrow as well as messages of hope and aspiration. All of which are still relevant.
Thank Jah,Yaweh, God, Allah.... you know...the One..for the artists, musicians, poets and humanitarians who serve as the "klaxons for the masses" (Thanks Michael Franti and Spearhead for responding to the call) and for the powerful messages found in the unselfish acts of those who are so similarly inspired by the challanges that come with life love and co-existing. LOVE CONQUERS ALL
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BUCKET LIST June 16, 2012 I
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June 16, 2012
I just found out about MF coming to AK.!!!OMG! I've followed your music for 10 years now, first introduced thru my 61 yr old sister! I started singing in church when I was 6 & eventually led to my career.
I was a DJ for 29 years. Music is a big part of "me". Your music has helped me thru some incredibly trying times. I have a incurable rare liver disease that effects my lungs as well.(Alpha one antitrypsin deficiency) My brother passed away from it in 1995. I now have a power port & get weekly infusions, for the rest of my life, and recently caved to using oxygen at night. It was a tough winter,health wise and my house is now in foreclosure. BUT! With the sunshine and light that comes this time of year in Alaska...so has it come to my heart and life. I surrounded myself with positive music. MF,especially, The Sound Of Sunshine CD, Bob Marley, & Stevie Wonder.. were my staples. Music soothes my soul. I realize,that there are people counting on me to fight this. So now I try to live every day to the fullest..even though I can't do what I did before..I can still do! I made a Bucket List, swimming with dolphins,go back home, to Maine,seeing The Redwoods,etc.,& I SWEAR!** going to a Micheal Franti** concert is on there! The timing seems to fit the positive choices & strides I've been making over the last month. If I had known sooner I would've tried to save up for this! But as it stands now,I can't afford 2 tix and gas to get there. I am going to put this in God's hands and pray that the right person reads this. And that I can be at the Moose's Tooth listening to awesome music Wednesday night. Thanks Becky
May 2012
This song is deeply emotional
This song is deeply emotional for me. I envision my friend speaking these words to me. "I'll be waiting for you" john passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Dec 10/2010 and I miss him terribly. I would like to believe that he's saying "I'll be waiting for you" my love, until we meet again.
Aug 2010
I was so saddened to hear of
I was so saddened to hear of GSH's passing, though it wasn't really a surprise.That he blessed us with his presence for so long is a miracle.
Thank you for sharing such a personal portrait of GSH. I saw Gil live a few times in the 80's, in London, once so high he had trouble remember some of the lyrics. But his message is so strong, so prophetic still, it lives on inspiring all of us.
After seeing you for the 7th time, last week in Barcelona, I thought how you have been gifted so much, a combination of the best of GSH and Bob Marley but at the same time so unique.
I love the way you build a sense of community in an hour and a half at your concerts.
I also loved dancing with you on stage, thank you. I felt like 15 instead of 50.
Blessings.
Aug 2011
Beautiful words, and I am
Beautiful words, and I am sorry for your loss. I believe that many "junkies" are some of the most beautiful people. They gain so much wisdom through their pain and struggle. Unfortunately that's not enough much of the time to help themselves, but if you take the time to care and listen to someone with such an addiction, often times they know enough to help so many others. I think a lot of times they are some of the most sensitive and compassionate people, and without the support they needed at some point in their life, they took a wrong turn and didn't correct. I hope for a world one day that embraces such sensitive people, so that they can come back from the dark and share what they saw. They are a window into ourselves. Fortunately some of these people do get to touch the world and "make difficult things easy to understand"
Jul 2011
Michael, I am writing you
Michael, I am writing you here because I don't know where else to start. We met many years ago when you were just beginning your solo career and living in a bike shop in Berkeley; I was a percussionist auditioning for gigs in the Bay Area. Fastforward to today; I am currently running for Mayor of Yellow Springs, a small conscious college town in Ohio. I would love to talk with you (or your people) about the possibility of you paying us a visit; I know you would love our little town, and a visit from you would help us in our community-building efforts. Please respond when you have a minute, I am hopeful we can work something out. email: mc@mpowerd.com. thanks for your time.
Jun 2011
I can’t believe it has been a
I can’t believe it has been a month since GSH transitioned to the spirits. We lost a champion who used penetrating lyrics to express his views on politics and culture. An extraordinary individual who went beyond the call not only as an entertainer but as a Bluesologist, teacher, songwriter/musician, activist and griot. The world won’t be the same without him but in spirit he is everywhere.
Continue to be the light in his spirit!
Ashe
Lady E
http://www.whosthatladymusicshow.blogspot.com/2011/06/lady-elix-presents-gil-scott-heron_27.html
Jun 2011
Michael, Kia Ora, thank you
Michael, Kia Ora, thank you very much for your kind and honest words. I am too sad, but thankful that gil has returned to the ancestors and is free.. "please let me lay down by a stream, and let me be miles.. from everything....rivers of my fathers...please... please .. carry me home..carry me home...please... carry me home..". Gil is finally home..spirit separated from the ravaged body... finally free..... thankfully..
I tried all i could over the years i was with gil, and still when i wasn't. Thank you so much for your help in those days. Very few actually 'did' something. You did and I will never ever forget that. I have beautiful memories of gil and will cherish them and remember in my own way through my art. I have photos of you and gil that i would like to send you.. Aroha, mo ake tonu atu - scotty april 1, 1949 - May 27, 2011.. monique
Jun 2011
Hi Michael, I hope all is
Hi Michael,
I hope all is grand for you brother. The last time I saw you was to say good bye in Chicago, last night of the John Mayer Tour. Hey brother I was thrilled to know I was going to get to drive you and the band and meet up with you guys in Baltimore on the 15th, but man was I shot down and bummed to hear you asked for another driver. I am sorry man to all I harmed and treated not nice. There really is no excuse, I can only say like every thing in this world man I learn and have changed greatly in the year and 1/2 since I saw you and worked for you guys. Dude I am just asking for a chance to show you really who I am and learn to laugh with your loving band. Well, until later, life is a junkies treat, it comes it goes, and who is to say that we all are not addictive in our nature. Our souls are always crying out and yearning for the truth, yet, in the journey tears and loneliness are never fulfilled, just repeated and replaced. So, with effort we focus to smile, and with effort we focus to laugh, and with the same effort we find the changes of our journey, seeking the moment of bliss and peace, that comes with each breath. peace, love, and compassion is the true identity of this world, draped in its illusion of the mind's creation, lee
Sep 2010
This is truly a beautiful
This is truly a beautiful story Michael. Just a week or so ago a really beautiful and talented girl in my town overdosed. I thank you for keeping the words real in your music.. helps folks like me know we're not alone. Saying prayers for Gil to a sweet kick .. and wishing safe travels to both of you!
May 2011
I am so very sorry for your
I am so very sorry for your loss. Though he is gone from this plane, I'm confident his spirit, his energy, his being will flow through you and continue to be a source of eternal inspiration for you. Warmest of all blessings to you and may his light comfort you...namaste
May 2010
Absolutely eloquent, I praise
Absolutely eloquent, I praise your way with words, so honest and nonjudgmental, accepting and admiring while taking a deep lesson and a long look at the opposite of present and sober.
It would make such sense to me that you Michael, would be an angel at one of his stops; being touched by a life lesson that was as sweet as it was bitter.
Thank you very much for sharing this with us~
May Gil forever rest in peace, wherever that home may be.
May 2011
A great tribute michael,
A great tribute michael, balancing his many strenghts with his frialties. I met him once after a gig in oxford in 93. had a few drinks with him and found him very funny, engrossing and down to earth. Still gutted and can't beleive it. his music and gigs have been a immense part of my life.
I remember a few years ago watching you play michael at the jazz cafe in london. Gil was going through a very trying time in his life, During the gig, I asked you to play a song for gil which you did with love and passion. It touched everyone in the room.
never forget you gil
Apr 2010
What a lovely tribute to a
What a lovely tribute to a hugely influential poet and musician. It's nice to know that you had such a connection with him.
May 2011
Michael, one of my finest
Michael, one of my finest back-in-the-day memories was you and Charlie Hunter (on 12-string if my memory serves correctly) opening for Gil-Scott at the Kennel Club -- it may have been the show you referenced because I remember what a mess Gil-Scot seemed to be that night. Still through the pain came the poetry. I remember then feeling like you were the torchbearer and that as he said (paraphrasing) "that it was up to you now". Thanks for keeping Gil-Scott's poetry, spirit and INTENTION in play. Press on brother!
May 2011
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May 2011
Woke up today wanting to
Woke up today wanting to listen to "Home is where the hatred is" and also wondering whether Michael Franti had said anything about Gil's death, so put it on to listen, found this blog and what do you know...
Thanks Michael for being a good friend to this beloved man and for writing this lovely piece which helps so much because it honours him as a real human being, without the cliches which mask over everything that matters, have been reading too many of them the last few days.
Thanks to Gil & everyone else out there in the world past and present who have defied the cliches and the manacles others try to imprison us in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3hCQcrfg28&NR=1&feature=fvwp - keep the nerve xxxxx
Apr 2010
Just love your memories of
Just love your memories of Gil..and yes, you should be mentioned in the same review as Gil...your voice is the new voice of Gil...trust me, I lived Gil Scott Heron, he moved me to move my pen, Bob, I was his "good friend" in a regge riddem...n' Sly...well you embody them all and your humility is powerful in its weakness. Keep up the great works Mike...you were his angel when he needed one and may we all have them in our lives...as needed.
Sep 2010
Thank you for such a
Thank you for such a beautiful and honest tribute to Gil Scott-Heron. He was an inspiration for me and my circle of friends when I was in high school in the 1970s and this inspiration carried forward into my adult years. The last time I saw him perform live was in the 1980s at Whole Theater in Montclair NJ. It was a brilliant performance but also sad as Gil was quite high especially after he came back out after intermission. It made me angry and it made me sad.
I pulled out the two vinyl albums I still have from back in the day - Winter in America and Midnight Band, The First Minute of a New Day and listened to them this weekend. They are still brilliant.
Aug 2010
Tell you the truth i've never
Tell you the truth i've never heard of your friend,sounds like it really hit you&that is a most beautiful tribute&he was obviously an inspirational figure in your life. Even in ur sadness you have given something to me-an artist to discover & appreciate that i didn't know existed till now. I've had my own needle problems so I can really relate from both sides of the friend of an addict which can be a heart wrenching prospect from the point of view of its terrible watching some1 go down & there's nothing you can do except be there&have compassion & understanding till they move on or pass on & unfortunately some people seem to get stuck in the whole game & can't see a way out or don't want one enough to do something themselves,until then one can only watch & I share your sadness for your friend.LOVE
Dec 2010
Love that you can bring the
Love that you can bring the truth in such a beautiful way, you have followed his lead and I am grateful to have your voice for the masses to listen if they choose to. The imperfect part of all of us makes us creative and unique- sorry he had such a rough journey here but glad he blessed us with his talent and wish nothing but peace and love in his next journey!
Feb 2010
I wasn't exposed to much
I wasn't exposed to much music as a kid, and after listening to your song "Thank You," I looked up all the artists you list at the end, including Gil, and fell in love with his work. It's sad to see him go, but I'm glad I'm able to read about your personal experience with him.
Apr 2010
This was one of the most
This was one of the most incredible tributes I have ever read. I didn't know this man well, but now I feel like I know him intimately. I can't believe how well you write, and how well you convey yourself. For me, you have become "him" for my generation.