Singer/Songwriter Elliott Smith Dead Of Apparent Suicide

[pajjr]

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1479869/10222003/smith_elliott.jhtml?headlines=true

[FlashHarry]

1. WTF???

:wtf:

How sad. I wonder if he's destined for posthumous cult stardom à la Nick Drake and the Buckleys.

[HerbieHeadhunter]

2. Wow, I was just listening to XO yesterday in my car...

I saw him perform with Quasi some 3 years ago.

Sad news indeed.

[ChompySnack]

3. That sucks!

I saw him when he was in Heatmiser, they played at a friends wedding in 1992. He was and Sam Coomes were the creative elements of that group. Coomes now headlines Quasi which is also good. Smith was a far deeper songwriter in my opinion...

A sad day for his friends, family and fans... :(

[RevolutionStartsNow]

9. Heatmiser was awesome

I know Elliott and Sam were the creative parts of that group, but Neil Gust is just fab.

I am very sad.

[info being]

4. Shit!

I saw him in concert about a 1 1/2 years ago. He was so stoned he sometimes couldn't even get through his songs...didn't look well. But I love his music. How terrible.

[Karmadillo]

5. So many good songs. The first time I heard him was when he sang

Miss Misery at the Academy Awards. While most AA music is incredibly forgettable, his was a stunning performance. For some reason, though, I think Rose Parade is probably my favorite.

http://www.lyricsfind.com/lyrics/8963/81707.php

rose parade lyrics by elliot smith

they asked me to come down and watch the parade
and to march down the street like the duracell bunny
with a wink and a wave from the cavalcade
throwing out candy that looks like money
to people passing by that all seem to be going the other way
said won't you follow me down to the rose parade

tripped over a dog in a choke-chain collar
people were shouting and pushing and saying
and when I traded a smoke for a food stamp dollar
a ridiculous marching band started playing
and got me singing along with some half-hearted victory song
won't you follow me down to the rose parade
won't you follow me down to the rose parade
won't you follow me down to the rose parade

the trumpet has obviously been drinking
because he's fucking up even the simplest lines
I'd say it's a sight that's quite worth seeing
it's just that everyone's interest is stronger than mine
and when they clean the street I'll be the only shit that's left behind
won't you follow me down to the rose parade
won't you follow me down to the rose parade
won't you follow me down to the rose parade

[Gingersnap]

6. so sad, I was impatiently awaiting that next album nt

[Exultant Democracy]

7. Sad, but not unexpected

he has been in a real bad way for a while now, I hope he finds some peace.

[GermanDJ]

8. My prayers go out to him

He was such a gifted musician. He made some of the best music of the 90s, he was one of the best musicians around. And he really made you listening to his music, he really got you into concentrating on what he was singing/saying.

This is such terrible news.

I'll miss him.

[maxsolomon]

11. another senseless heroin casualty

i'd wager. i hope i'm wrong.

my 15 y.o. stepdaughter is going to be pissed. she's still pissed about kurt.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

13. Not heroin

Died of a single knife wound, self-inflicted.

But Elliott did have his problems with drugs, including heroin. So who knows?

My 11 year old also loved Elliott, saw him in concert 3 times with me. She's sad.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

10. Sad sad sad

I woke up to this news, and have been sad all morning.

Elliott wrote some of the most beautiful music...but he had a hard time being in this world, it seems. I saw him in concert several times, the best were his acoustic shows. Went backstage at a show in SF a few years back, with my friend Charlie, who runs the definitive fan site for Elliott www.sweetadeline.net. Check it out (the real site is temporarily displaced by Charlie's message, but I'm sure he'll bring it back).

[JI7]

12. made great music

very sad.

[henslee]

14. Guess his heroin chic, I'm a messy slob routine was the real deal.

Saw him a few times... talented guy.

Makes me wonder about status of another poet, Gil Scott Heron, a fave of mine, another guy w/ drug problems.

[FrankBooth]

15. This is very depressing

He was an amazing songwriter. I'm glad I got to see him when he was coherent. His great music will live on. Rest in peace Elliott.

[FlemingsGhost]

16. Damn!

A very talented, intelligent and sensitive man. His voice will be sorely missed.

Rest now, Elliott.

[mvd]

17. This is sad

I assume his death was quick at least by hitting a major artery. I'll have to check him out more..

[nemo137]

18. weird, and sad.

i heard "junk bond trader" on the radio today, on marketplace of all things. weird.

[LeftistGorilla]

19. awww geez...

sad sad...
Figure 8 is one of my favorite albums...

[Voltaire99]

20. Rest in Peace, Elliott

Your music made the world more beautiful. I wish it hadn't ended this way.