News on Hunter Thompson's memorial
We finally have some details about the August memorial: there will be no August (public) memorial. The plans for a public event have been formally scrapped by the family in favor of a smaller and more personal private ceremony.
And there is this strange but cool piece of news as well:
Flying Dog Brewery, which is creating a new beer in Thompson’s honor, said sales of Gonzo Imperial Porter will help fund construction of the "gonzo fist" tower.
At 9.5 percent, the Gonzo beer has nearly double the alcohol content of average brews.
"We tried to make everything about this beer Gonzo," brewery President Eric Warner said in a statement.
To clarify some of this insanity, I went to the proper source... the Aspen Times. I got some good information there. First off, the huge tower will be a temporary homage (which is a good idea, if you have seen the drawings). Also, contrary to everything else on the web, Aspen Times says that there will be a public ceremony eventually. Though their voice is the lone one with this info... they are undoubtedly the best info source. Like most in Woody Creek, these people were his friends and neighbors. Words about the fabled Gonzo memorial here:
The structure will be temporary, and the public, including throngs of Thompson's fans, are being discouraged from even coming to the area for the funeral. A public event is expected to be planned for a later date to commemorate the writer's life.
Wait wait wait, the story changes yet again. (Am drinking and googling as I write this). It is now being reported that the event (Hunter's private August memorial) will be filmed for a Bryant Gumble "Real Sports" show broadcast... and simulcast live to "The Buttermilk." What then is Buttermilk, you should be asking. We all are. It appears to be a skiiing mountain in Aspen, but is probably a reference to a huge lodge somewhere nearby. Anyhow, tickets are going to be sold to this event afterall, for the simulcast.
Tickets to get into Buttermilk will be sold on the Hunter S. Thompson Foundation website, which, according to a quick Internet search, apparently hasn't started up yet.
No worries, I'll keep all y'all posted as the inevitably strange tale turns and folds again. Whatever the hell they are planning up there, I hope to be there. If not for my own star-struck and heartbroken needs... but then for the needs of my readers. Stop laughing, I mean it! On my modest little site I was getting about 10 hits a day. Once I started my Hunter coverage (within hours of his death) I had over 20,000 hits on my site in about 48 hours. Also, my piece here titled "Hunter Thompson, Goddamn You" generated a buttload of interest also. If you are a Hunter enthusiast, I still want to point you to Christine's fan site... which is the most comprehensive Hunter site online. Trust me, I am a Reverend.
Article comments
1 - Pat Cummings
I have moved this post to the Culture section, since it is not "News" about books, or writing (or reading) them, but instead is concerned primarily with HST's memorial services.
2 - Zeta
You do realize that the suicide note article is satire, right?
3 - HW Saxton
The new beer is real though isn't it ???
9.5 beer would kick like a damned mule!
4 - Steve W
What is your source info on the Buttermilk cancelation?
Please email me back.
5 - Blah
Detering fans and suporter's in favor of hollywood star's and kiss asses
(like bryant gumble) is an outrage.To live his life like a flaming pheonix and then to ask for everyone to turn and walk is ridiculous. In this foul mood of or lord 2005 he shall be pranked by the last of us.
6 - Lono
Steve W,
Am not sure where I found that, as it was a few months ago. However, for the most part I am using only once source on HST - the Aspen Times.
They are closest to the events and the doctor. There are two other places on the web to find reliable Hunter info... me & Christine's www.gonzo.org site). however, I get most of my info from Aspen Times and Christine get's much of her info from me.
Am trying to find details now, and they are scarce. I'll post again (probably anew) if I can find some solid info. However, per the family's wishes I won't publish anything to publicize August's events. It sucks majorly, but they really don't want us there.
7 - gonzo marx
thanx for the Info , Lono
since it was HST's demise that got me started here(and blogging in general), with my stream of consciousness obit( found on those old Hunter threads)...it warms the cockles of by black, flabby lil heart to know that there are those still keepin gup with the aftermath...
out on Owl Farm, the peacocks are still crying...
Excelsior!
8 - J.D. Finch
I have offered to offer a tribute at the HST Memorial...I sent the comment to Steadman. I would be representing the Underground Literary Alliance (http://www.literaryrevolution.com), which has a lot of HST spirit backing up our actions and our writings. If the powers-that-be for the Woody Creek memorial (J. Nicholson, J. Depp, et al) could look at the work of the ULA, I think they'd want one of us there, proseltizing about carrying on HST's work. We're grass roots, soul of the Beats stuff, which would be cool for you to have there.
If I don't get invited (I can fly out from VT to CO on my own dime) I'm going to write a tribute about the weekend anyway. It is already underway, and there's not much more I can say about that except...Hollywood is one of HST's best hallucinations anyway.
No names will be changed to protect them or me, but as I have said, I am already making notes and outlining, and in the best of worlds I will be able to turn Wenner into Citizen Kane. In the worst...there is no worst as long as the wine and the love for HST continues to flow.
J.D. Finch, Public Advocate, ULA
9 - El Bicho
"It sucks majorly, but they really don't want us there."
Egads, man! Would that have stopped Hunter? Would he have not roamed where he wished? While he may be gone, Gonzo doesn't have to be. Remember, "this land was made for you and me." I'm not going to cause a scene, but I'm driving out from California to Woody Creek just to say I was in town on 8/20. How the hell is a 150 ft. cannon shot going to be private anyway?
10 - Todd B
Does anyone know the actual time of the cannon shoot?
11 - El Bicho
Still trying to find out. I know his ashes will be part of a firewoks display, but still can't get a sense of the time.
Any travellers want to meet up, let me know soon because the rod trip begins Thursday late evening
12 - Lono
the cannon shoot will go down at sunset, it is official.
13 - El Bicho
where did you hear that, Lono?