When
Rolling Stone finally gets around to it, they’ll hear my RAVES.
Until then, here they are…at least as of July 2000. How long
RS takes to ask me is uncertain.
Shigeru
Miyamoto
He’s the only person in the realm of videogames that should
be considered a creative genius. From Donkey Kong (’81) to
Super Mario (’85) to Legend of Zelda (’87), he literally
defined the medium itself. Super Mario 64 (’96) and Zelda
64 (’98) are still the finest games ever made.
The
Simpsons
While the 1999-2000 season has lacked consistency, this has always
been the best show on television and a searing satire on American
culture. Worth a million laughs.
Brave
New World
I was turned on to Huxley’s classic novel a couple years back,
and absolutely loved it to death. As much a tirade against authoritarianism,
this book is also a warning against the inevitable mediocrity of
conformity.
Road
Trips
Love ‘em to death, whether it’s for art fairs, or for
writing assignments, or to play on a stage, or just for fun. I’m
just a kinetic being. That doesn’t show up in my artwork,
does it?
Peanuts
I grew up on Charlie Brown & Snoopy, and could identify with
that kid who could never kick the football or win the respect of
his peers. The movies were priceless, as well as the Saturday morning
TV show. Finest comic ever.
Road
Trip music
I once bought a CD boombox just to hear music on the road that I
liked. The B-52’s “Roam”; Metallica’s Black
Album; Patti Smith’s Gung-Ho; anything by Dylan or
Springsteen or Neil Young; all the Lenny Kravitz stuff; some Rage;
and maybe some Beatles and Zappa.
Frank
Zappa
This is my current addiction of choice. After only a couple of months,
I’ve managed to dig through a dozen Zappa albums, all of them
fantastic. Hot Rats, …Money, Freak Out, Uncle Meat, …Play
Yer Guitar, Yellow Shark, etc. Fantastic music, baby!
Chocolate
Skim Milk
Quite possibly the finest beverage ever conceived. Even better than
Orange Juice or Pina Coladas. The secret is that it goes well with
anything. Cookies, rice, beans, chicken, Cocoa Puffs, you name it,
chocolate milk works.
The
Marx Bros.
Yeah, I’m a Marxist. Groucho, Chico, Zeppo, and Harpo. Love
‘em all. I think the earlier films – as a foursome –
were the best. “Duck Soup” is a thing of beauty every
time I see it.
Old
Friends
A fabulous novel by Tracy Kidder that I read in college. Touching
story about the lives of a group of people living in a nursing home.
The way everyone deals with life, death, and daily life is endearing
and memorable. Great reading. |
