Negativland: RIP Richard Lyons

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Maybe it was because of Prince whom I never really understood or liked his funk had shocked me to hear. When I woke this morning and saw this story sent by my band mate and radio conspirator, I wept.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/richard-lyons-negativland-founder-dead-at-57-20160421

Richard Lyons was a straight faced dealer of insanity. While some of the others in Negativland played "characters", Richard played his characters with 100% believability. He was Dick Vaughn, a straight faced deejay who cared about obscure 70's one hit wonders. He was Pastor Dick, a religious man who preached god when all else failed around him. Yet, every character had the same soft "I'm trying to be serious while the broadcast is going insane" delivery. 

Man, losing him really shook me. I never knew he had the big casino. I'd like to shout to the world, to make somebody know, but in my heart, this is a personal loss to a small family, and a more personal one to those he inspired. Damn.

No band influenced my creative passions more. I just wish it would stop for this year...

Here was the tribute to Don Joyce from the summer of last year that explains how important Negativland was/is to me:

http://ricochet.boomerthedog.net/blog/junk/2015/07/negativland-rip-don-joyce.html


We're 10-7.

-Ric