Lono is stunned by his literary hero's latest act...
Well, I just found out minutes ago that Hunter S Thompson is dead. This is terrible news for me because he was a god to me. I am sad and torn and will deal with this the way I deal with everything - writing to you about it.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - zella
i'm not quite able to vebalize how i am affected...but maybe the visual of a spring that just keeps recoiling over and over...that would be about right...
his sharing of his views of the american dream was a sharp dose of reality packaged in a thinking man's verbal tool box...
i had recently caught a rerun of charlie rose on pbs...he was interviewing him...hunter spoke of his packrat tendencies...and that he had a trunk full of correspondences dating back to when he was a teenager...then all of a sudden he drifted...his body position changed...lost track of the conversation...mentioned his gradson...out of the blue...weird...yes...but acceptable...after all it was hst...but later on charlie rose got him to mention something about his hand shaking...it seems he had been sick...neurologically...for awhile...but he would not get into detail...
being who he is...was...is...could he have done any differently...i'm not him...but i'm sure he couldn't...
enjoy your next cycle hst........
27 - maddy
after reading fear and loathing every night out had an edge to it and a morning after "bad craziness" so hilarious, poor anita what hell will he reek on the other side?? with respect H.S.T
28 - Agent Fang
I can't help hoping he left an explanation somewhere, because if he could justify his action then maybe I could accept it.
As it is, I can't. I'm angry. Why? He played russion roulette enough with his life... maybe a sudden whim to see if the bullet was in the chamber, a what-the-fuck if it happens, it happens, kind of situation?
I'm reading a lot of great and affectionate tributes, and I feel them in my heart with all great sentiment, but what I really want to say is: you bloody fool. Checking out before your time. Maybe if that's what you really wanted, although I can't help thinking you are somewhere now cursing your own stupidity. Maybe you were sick of being right all the time. Maybe it was a bad trip. It's certainly one I wish I wasn't on with you...
Dammit, Dammit, Dammit.
29 - Rory
what possibly to say.
hunter is dead, and it feels as though a close friend has passed. i'm only echoing what others here have said. where do i go from here? when someone defines an outlook for you, when someone has such a significant impact on your ideals and attitudes, and ultimately loses faith - where does that leave me???? a selfish perspective, but i feel as though i've lost faith in something i was convinced was true. hunter, oh hunter, how could you have done this? i don't blame him , but at the same time a part of me has died with him. suicide??? unbelievable, so completely incongruous with everything he represented. oh god, it's all very wrong.
30 - jaek
who wants to get old and sick anyway...
31 - Senor Padraig
What reasons does the exalted and highly respected genius owe us?
None. Accept the finishment of the Good Doctor's earthish troddings
as you accepted his work, openly, with the spirit of adventure, the
sinew of triumph and the grainishness of the horrors of reality.
Those among us selfish enough to judge this man's final action may
do well to shove themselves from the bedclothes of their gumdrop dreams
and realize that, as humans, we're subject to unknowable suffering and
incomprehensible pain. The best among us are equipped with an
indomitable spirit; when inconceivable suffering befalls the strong of
heart, the heart prevails, the suffering wilts. Celebrate the triumph
of spirit, the righteous deeds and the fuck-all will of the greatest
American Experientialist of our time.
32 - Dan Bloom
Has anyone checked to see if Hunter was going through a depression recently, clinical depression? Or had he heard from his doctors that he had a life-threatening terminal illness, that we and the media didn't know about? One doesn't just kill oneself for no reason. ANyone know? Email me
33 - Bradley Laboe
I will miss him ... BIG HUG for Juan, Jen, Willam and Anita… who never be able to fill the hole left in there lives by the man in spite of the myth and legend attached to his life.
34 - Andrea Sawyer
I just found out and dread having to break the news to my husband when he wakes up. Hunter was a hero to both of us, how in hell will we get through the next four years? Maybe he knew something we don't, that's a terrifying thought. It it wasn't 7:30 in the morning I would raise a glass to him - maybe I will anyway, God knows he would have. Rest in peace, dear Gonzo.
35 - Rupert van den Broek
I am deeply saddened, res ipsa loquitor.
36 - Anthony
The only thing surprising to me is that it took this long for him to do it. Not unexpected considering his world view.
37 - Jay Mac
My God, He will be sadly missed.His savage voice in the wilderness was an inspiration to us all. RIP HST
38 - Rev Mallard G Brash
Shocking HST dead, no, but suicide yes. He could go at any moment, but I figure it would have been accidental. There has to be something behind this.
39 - WillyJ.
I just found out about this a few minutes ago and am feeling the same raw emotions as everyone else here who loved and admired HST- shock, disbelief, anger, and a great sense of loss.
I did read in an interview Hunter did a few months ago that he had fallen lasr year some time and broken and/or severely injured his back and had gone through a couple surgeries and was dealing with extreme pain- the article made it sound like he was over the worst of it but he was 67 years old and . . .
Well, fuck all that, 'eh?
His reasons were his business and if anyone earned the right to check-out on their own terms it was the Good Doctor.
I think I'm going to skip work today and find some strong drink... Goodbye Hunter and thank you for sharing your gift with us for as long as you did.
40 - Lil
A reason? An explanation? The pit in my stomach asks for neither. That horrible paragraph was the first thing that caught my eye when I stepped outside to pick up this morning's paper..and to think I was bitching because I had to walk through the wet grass to pick it up! I don't understand why and maybe I/we never will. "It's the land of the brave and the home of the free, where the less you know, the better off you'll be." (wz) DAMN! ...yet another kick to the chest...Well Doc, thanks SO MUCH for the ride. Guess this is where you're letting us off. My deepest sympathies to your family & close friends...
41 - matt
Denial, anger, rage, bittersweetness...the guy was so good and had so much to say. And we are lucky he said it all!! From his dispatches from SA in the early 60's to his posts on ESPN.com.
The suicide, and not a Ducatti, is disturbing. The man idolized not Hemingway, but Faulkner...and Faulkner hated the idea of suicide. I guess I can answer HST's question...where were you when the fun stopped? watching the news at 7:30 a.m. February 21, 2005. SELAH!
42 - Gonzo
Genius + High octane insight was never going to fizzle out. Heres to the loss of another great mind. Keep on raising hell. HST!
43 - Martin
I was so overjoyed to find a few years ago that HST had a "blog" of sorts on ESPN page 2, and I quickly became an avid reader. Only 6 days ago on ESPN Page 2 he came out with Shotgun Golf, an ostensibly plausible cross of chipping to a green and skeet shooting. There was something about this story that was a bit unhinged (even for Hunter), his usual story being about fleecing high-rollers on football point-spread bets. "And green money moving around the room, it is righteous.." What's more, the game he missed reporting on was the Superbowl itself! Perhaps some doc told him he wouldn't survive until the next football season. Perhaps it was an innocent Shotgun Golf accident. Out with a BANG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT THE FUCK HUNTER ????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!!!!!!!!!!!
No more columns, no more of Hunter experiences (which I never), no more books, nothing. A weird day, the weirdest of days.
Goes away a man often copied but never equalled, novelist, journalist, poet, master of extreme words and situations. Wishes to Anita and others with loss.
Mahalo - we shall walk on a road of bones.
44 - deboldt
I guess there is some crap up with which even the old Gonzo Journalist, himself will not put. Would that all the “mainstream” clown journalists follow his example!
45 - bump
" Let us hope that the whores of evil no longer loiter on the doorsteps of your path, beckoning you into the brothel of despair-
And that here and after you may present them with the most ridgid manifestations of a firm and manly will.
AD ASTRA PER ASPERA "
" Seven dogs went into the wilderness-
Five came back-
Three died of guinea worm-
The rest died from you-
Hunter S. Thompson "
46 - Lepage
HST got me through some tough times. A 20 year old Canadian with dreams of changing a small piece of the world in Belize City in 1990. Terrified, culture shocked, too big of a braggart to turn back. Almost paralyzed with fear in this new seemingly unforgiving place. A friend sent me on my way with a copy of The Curse of Lono, my first introduction to Gonzo. I read and reread that book until the covers wore off. A few years later I almost got a tattoo of the Gonzo Fist and Dagger, but bailed out at the last minute. Now I kind of wish I hadn’t. Maybe I hadn’t learned anything about courage at all from Thompson. Maybe I thought I would regret getting that tattoo one day. If I had, maybe it would have ended up being a reminder that a man who exemplified crazy strength, stamina, and liberal tenets that should be status quo, and out and out balls to bones good times, up and killed himself. None of us know why he did it. Maybe he was sick, or what ever it was he did it for his own good reasons and under his terms. He had the courage to end his life the way he lived it, in a blast.
Someone pass the Wild Turkey. He’ll be missed.
47 - O. Possum, Esq.
Well, Heaven will be more fun, but Earth will be sadder for a long while. One consolation is the outpouring of kind words and fond memories that will follow his whipsong life. Godspeed, you great gentle man.
48 - Robert Hnasko
Hunter - now joins the timeless ranks - no more marginalization - no more aging poet - no more inept rambling of unformed madness - this was no cowardly act - but a calculated decision to stop the erosion of age and the future decay of this legacy - time is a master and needs to be dealt with - his place as iconic madman will now transcends the pains of withered old man - perhaps there is more to the story than meets the eye - the withered old body giving way to a slow decay and his glimpse into the void carried by a silver bullet seemed a valid exit strategy in the classic style of Steadman pen and ink-
Robert
49 - marcos molina
"There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. Some kind of high powered
mutant never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live,
and too rare to die. " H.S.T.
50 - Pete Koch
You've read all of his stuff, but you call him fearless. The man coined the term "fear and loathing." He was afraid, afraid of everything that society was becoming, despite its best intentions. If he did commit suicide (which at this point is unclear... think about how often he messed with guns while drinking or drugged up), it should be no surprise to fans. He displayed suicidal thoughts often in his writing (reference the intro to The Great Shark Hunt) and modeled his life after Hemingway. Like Hemingway, he became reclusive"Woody Creek was his Ketchum, Idaho (where Hemingway killed himself).
51 - xon valdez
It's all I can do to keep from crying.
52 - jason
Well, like most folks here I can and can't believe it. I can believe that he's dead. Jesus, it's amazing that he was still around at all. However, I can't believe that he offed himself. What a rat-bastard thing to do. For years he's been a kind of beacon for so many. He was able to put your thoughts and feelings into his words in such a way that it felt like you were a part of his process. It's a sad goddamn thing that we go through now. I keep waiting to hear that it's a hoax. His words will roll on and, if history is any indication, gain speed as they encounter countless other souls who need to hear them, as I needed to hear them. I would say "May he rest in peace" But I don't think that resting was his style.
53 - Una
Hunter S. Thompson was the reason I became a journalist. On Saturday, I persuaded my photographer friend to do a Fear & Loathing photo shoot. I packed up all my Hunter books and a few drawings I've done (basically ripping off Ralph Steadman), and we sat down to take stills from the Fear and Loathing DVD. The previous day, I had loaned The Rum Diary to a friend. Every time I read any of his writing, it send a freh stab wound of inspriation through me. He was the only person in the world I hoped to one day meet. The inspiration is not gone, because the words are still there. See ya in hell, buddy. It's where all the good music is anyway.
Una, Ireland.
54 - Tom
Truly a black-armband day for HST..Kudos for having the balls to go out on his terms much like his writing.
55 - Jon
That rat-bastard killed himself - shit. This is truly a sad day. No chance left for salvation.
56 - Orestes
Hunter lived a life that we fans are all jealous of.
He was amazing and splendid.
My mom called me at 12 while I was still sleeping. I stayed up too late last night talking on AIM. She said her usual hello, how are you? and then told me she had bad news but that Hunter S. Thompson had committed suicide. I was shocked (not that he would kill himself but that he was dead and I didn't get to say goodbye)... I responded ," Well now that football seasons over I guess he wanted to just get outta this hell hole." She said ,"You know... I thought the same thing."
57 - Steve B
I just can't believe it. Just last week, a guy at work saw the HST book on my desk and asked me about him. It was great turning him on to Hunter. I told him about how I got the Rolling Stone Mag back in the early 70's at college and read part one of Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas and was awestruck. Couldn't wait for part 2. Then I realized the Hell's Angels book I read earlier was by the same author. I've been a rabid fan ever since. I can't beleive it was suicide; just some weird accident playing russian roulette... or maybe he had a terminal disease and did do the deed. I don't know. It sucks so bad. We should be happy we had him this long, with that lifestyle. Godspeed Hunter, we love you still no matter what dammit. (sniff)
58 - Adam
This really sucks. HST was awesome. Why do the great writers have to commit suicide? Why are great artists so disenchanted and politicians so content with themselves? This really doesn't make any sense. Time to re-read the HST collection and get a grip.
59 - rocks
How could this happen? hst? why? how could you leave us after all youve inspired in us? did you not know how much we needed your words? how will i be inspired now? you truely were reason to write. all i can say is i cant wait to get where you are. rip hst
60 - Logey
Nobody durst call this man a coward. HST had been plagued by serious physical problems, that much we know; the rest is misty, which is no doubt the way he wanted it. I can think of ten people (of greater, but less valuable, fame and fortune) who had it all and still contemplated the bullet, once waylaid with similar body trouble. It changes your ability to live. Maybe that wasn't the whole story, but had to be a factor. Checking out Hemingway-style is no longer considered cool, but have you noticed what IS?
A world without HST is a much, much darker one, especially considering all the shitheels that are still alive. But I have to say that when I at last heard he'd done it himself, I relaxed some. At least he went out on his own terms.
Yeah, I'm pissed that he's gone, and can't believe it, and we need him more than ever now, but he gave his all to the public for about 40 years, and he doesn't owe us a goddamn thing. Res ipsa loquitur.
RIP, Doctor. May you be free of the torments that harried you so in this world. But what those things did to you made the rest of us stronger.
61 - Jim H
I may be out of touch but I'm still waiting to hear whether it was s suicide. All I've heard is self-inflicted gunshot and there was no note.
We know he liked to play with guns.
I'm waiting to hear it from his friend the sherrif.
62 - Temple Stark
People are saying he's a coward because he's just dumped a whole load of pain and suffering on his family with this action - if it's a suicide as reported.
And in this regard, he is.
63 - Guy A.
Hunter Thompson was a third rate writer at best and his passing will only increase teh value of the written word.
Guy A.
64 - Eric Olsen
now that's a minority view
65 - Temple Stark
well, nothing wrong with minority views if he can explain it more fully. Otherwise it's just contrarian.
66 - Aaman
Maybe he means that his books will fetch more on eBay
67 - pyro lizard
i am very glad to have found his works at an early age.
68 - Jon
Obviously republican with no knowledge of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...
69 - Spooky
After reading all of the great things written by everyone, i feel sick and i want to cry. I discovered HST when i was about 14. He was a giant influence on the way i perceive the world around me. He almost seemed invincible to me. Im going to miss that grizzled old bastard. I want to thank him for helping me be who i am. His writing truly changed my life.
70 - Jennifer Griffin
Hunter Thompson, GOD DAMN YOU!!!
why why why.
i know it's bad out there but it always seemed a little safer...saner, with you out there.
good bye.
71 - Proffessor Irish
Good God Man this is about the total Amerixan Man of truisms and embracing of the expericience of fighting for ones own right to live for the right cause; be it the underdog ;your right tochemical mind expansion or the right to drape yourself in the Amerixan flag and shoot or blow up peecocks and grab strange adult film strars nipples.
72 - wil Davidson
you guys prob know all this, but I am shocked and stunned by this news, as you all are, and wrote this for a friends website, feel i should put it where people care, excuse the borrowed quotes, its for people that might not know him.
What the fuck?.......Hunter S Thompson dead? that i could understand.................but suicide???????
Hunter S Thompson, one of the greatest writer/journalists ever to have lived, and certainly one of the most important to live in our lifetime, has taken his own life, and for some reason, i feel i should mention it here.
to anyone that hasn't yet sampled his unique brand of incredibly funny, insanely cutting, and pure, Gonzo journalism, you are missing out on one of the only true (and the truest) pioneers of modern writing. I urge you to rectify this, before the fear and loathing, of which he wrote so outspokenly, consumes us all, and blinds us to the corrupt swine who peddle it. He lived as he wrote, a champion for justice (true justice, not the filthy perversion enforced upon us by politicians and 'lawmakers') and for truth, of which the greatest of all, was a man's entitlement to live as he wish, without intrusion or interference, and, if he choose, reside firmly in the "too much fun club"
In my humble opinion, when compared to HST's work, very few authors have the right to call themselves a journalist, as noone writes with the whirlwind of outrage and pain which he somehow transforms into something of enormous, and lasting value, and noone sees it their duty, as he did, to speak the unfiltered truth.
It is about here where I should be writing of how we wish Dr Hunter Stockton Thompson to rest in peace, but in his case, it would be a futile excercise, and prove that we've not understood a word. Wherever he is now, I hope he's happy, and know he's giving God a run for his money, in the way only Raoul Duke knows how.
He not taught us with his written word, but his social and political activism against injustice was the stuff of legend, and an example to anyone and, hopefully, everyone, and always reminded us of E. Bourke's words, that:
"THE ONLY THING NECESSARY FOR THE TRIUMPH OF EVIL, IS FOR GOOD MEN TO DO NOTHING"
Dr Hunter S Thompson 1939-2005
73 - palmer j woodrow
I know this shouldn;t matter much in my life becasue the man did care about me at all. A piece of me died last night. I woke up today and settled into work for the daily grind and to read a news piece or 5. Iraq bomb kills 27... Bush getting harrassed by European nation about Iraq... thousands rally in Beruit... Author Hunter S. thompson dies at the age of 67 from a fatal gun shot wound to the head. The bastard did it. The reports are to early if it was intentional or not. Still the trigger got pulled and a part of me died. I didn't even get into reading books until I picked up Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Watching the movie motivated me to read the book. It would be my first of many HST literary romps. Yes the man, his life and his lifestyle intrigued me. The influence on me is more than I realize or would admit. I even, to any degree, emulate a man that would rather throttle me instead of covet any friendship? He struck a cord. Not many have in the 31 years I've been breathing air. He was the living legend. He existed and I would try and match him as best I could with living. Now another influence in my life is gone. No more creativity from his mind. No more gonzo. No more King of Fun. Damn I lost something. I lost HST.
Then we don't know what the man was going through. Was he in pain? Was he hurting? He didn't seem like the type to take his own life. He liked to live life. At least thats how he came across. Even as wreckless as he was he never had suicidal tendencies. Did he? The man who looked for the American Dream died in the American Nightmare. Many things would and should be answered when more comes out of this. I'd love to lean towards the accident but something tells me it may have been different. Time will tell. He is gone that is all we know at this moment...
74 - Ben
Noooo
75 - David
If HST were to fake his own death, and then read the way people reacted, he would most certainly put a bullet in his brain then. This tough motherfucker didn't take his life so whiny ball-less hipsters would burn candles and have "Rum" readings for a week straight, Kleenex in hand. Like William Cooper, Thompson had no filters or blinders on which to view the world. He knew how fucked up and scripted modern life has become. He knew we as people could never be truly free as long as we were being spoon fed bullshit every minute of our waking life. Anyone that acts suprised or says it was a chicken shit way to go is as naive to his own life just as much as he or she was naive to Hunters. Grow some fucking guts and get over it, nothing in you is dead and don't act like it is. How else would you like to see him go....lung cancer? he is still alive to me..