I can still feel the sense of loss and shock when I got the news 22 years ago today that my friend Sam Kinison had been killed by a drunk driver. Of only a handful of people in a generation can it be said that their lives changed an entire art form. Standup comedy was forever altered when Sam burst upon the scene (of course, that bursting occurred after 6 years of 2am spots at The Comedy Store, performing for just us comics and some horrified couple from the Midwest who were determined to stretch the cover charge theyd paid to the very last comedian, poor things. They had no idea what they were watching, but they knew they were going to Hell for it. Ive never laughed so hard as those nights. Id do my crowd-pleasing impressions in a spot at 9, go home, nap til midnight, then drive back over the hill to the club to watch Sams unbelievable set. He had no constraints, no filter, just raw, rageful funny that came from a place of truth so painful, the only thing to do in reaction to his channeling and unique presentation of it was to laugh uproariously in identification). I frequently wonder, upon hearing some news story or other, What would Sam have to say about this? But of course, I cant know, because Im not Sam. Its like asking, What tune would Gershwin have written here? Or, What would Hendrix have done with that solo? One thing is certain, his effect would still be felt. He was a true original, and a force. And hed have strangled Political Correctness in its crib. I still miss you, my friend.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Apr 2014 14:27:13 +0000
Trending Topics
© 2015