Singer-songwriter Elliott Smith died on this day (October 21) two years ago at the age of 34. Smith died of stab wounds to the chest. Initial reports suggested suicide as a cause of death however the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Coroner's Office has not made that finding official.
Smith released his first album, Roman Candle in 1994. He would release a total of five solo albums during his lifetime. He is probably best known for his contributions to the Good Will Hunting soundtrack. One of those songs, "Miss Misery" was nominated for an Oscar (he did not win, the award instead going to Titanic.
One year ago, From a Basement on the Hill was released. It is a collection of the songs Elliott was working on at the time of his passing. Smith intended it to be a double-album however only a single disc was released.
It was reported earlier this week that music from these sessions (and possibly prior to these sessions) was leaked online.
Article comments
1 - tommyd
Man, do I miss Elliot Smith. Saw him live one time in NYC and he blew everyone away. So alive! Now he's gone, and I find it harder to listen to his records over the past year since we'll never see him live again.
Rock is dead.
2 - DJRadiohead
The CDs have only become more precious to me in the past two years. I never got to see him live. I started listening to him only a few months before he passed so I never got a chance. I will always hate that.
I am so glad you got that opportunity.
3 - tommyd
DJRadiohead, yea, saw Elliott at Irving Plaza in 2000 supporting the "Figure Eight" album. The good 'ol days for sure.
I personally met Elliott one Wednesday night in a bar in NYC's Lower East Side. It was right around the time when he appeared on Saturday Night Live. Nice guy. Shook his hand and told him my favorite tune was "Baby Britain". He was humble and flattered and told me thank you...and that he was going to Europe soon and couldn't wait to play his music for all the fans over there. And that was it. Over in a minute, but now that he's dead it seems so.....huge.
That's life.
4 - DJRadiohead
I have heard fan accounts that he was always very shy and sweet when people would talk to him. That is so cool that you had that chance for a personal moment. It would be huge to me, too.
"Baby Britain" was my favorite song at one point, too. I love so many of them that it seems to change from time to time.
5 - Zackary
I miss Elliott. More than anything.
RIP, you're very much loved. <3
xo
6 - DJRadiohead
Zackary, you may or not be interested in checking out my podcast. This new episode is a tribute to Elliott. It has been a very sad day for me as well. He had a special talent.
I knew not everyone would flock to the podcast so I wanted to write an article on his passing, too.
7 - kietro
This morning, I was so excited to find that my TiVo recorded the '98 episode of Saturday Night Live on which Elliott Smith was the musical guest. However, to reduce the rebroadcast to an hour, Elliot's performance was cut. He only appears at the end of the show -- standing next to Lucy Lawless, Judge Judy, and Chucky from the "Child's Play" movies -- waving goodbye. It's been two years since his death, but I'm still not ready to wave back.
8 - DJRadiohead
I think the re-broadcast people should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I would love to have seen that!
Don't wave goodbye... he left his music behind. We still have that.
9 - Johnny B
I just watched the SNL in question uncut and just so you all know the performance was absolutely brilliant.
10 - aisha
yes. they just aired the episode on e! where he sings waltz #2 and he was fucking fucking brilliant. he looked at the camera directly - the only time during the performance i think, i saw it once - only when he sings "youre no good youre no good youre no goood..." it was unbelievable. i never saw him live, and that was the closest ill ever get.