wmtc: rip robbie robertson

The news that Robbie Robertson died hit me hard. Although he’s not the last surviving member of The Band (Garth Hudson recently turned 80), he was my last surviving deep connection to music that is so close to my heart.  I rarely feel a famous person’s death in a personal way.

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wmtc: judy heumann, rest in power

Judith Heumann, one of the founders and primary movers of the disability rights movement, died recently at the too-young age of 75.  Judith Heumann was a force of nature. She was the consummate activist — a brilliant communicator, a charismatic organizer, and a warm, compassionate, attentive person. Judy was the

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wmtc: memories of great-aunt betty

An important family matriarch passed away this week, at the age of 96. Betty MacDowell was my partner Allan’s great-aunt, his father’s mother’s sister. She was one of the warmest, kindest, most good-hearted people I’ve ever known, and I wanted to share a few memories and write a little tribute

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wmtc: ed asner, rest in power

People of my generation loved Ed Asner for his portrayal of Lou Grant on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”, and Allan and I both remember enjoying the spinoff “Lou Grant”.* But in my home, Ed Asner was admired for more than his canny character acting. Asner was a union man.

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wmtc: chuck close, rest in peace

The artist Chuck Close died last week at the age of 81. He was an incredibly talented artist, a progressive thinker, and a diehard New Yorker who was often seen around town, especially in museums and galleries. I had the good fortune to interview Close at his studio in 1998.

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wmtc: goodbye charlie watts

Charlie Watts was the greatest rock and roll drummer of all time. He’s the reason the Stones’ music has so much swing, why it skips and chugs and rolls and flies, where so much rock merely clumps and plods. His playing was always described as propulsive.   And of course Charlie

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wmtc: robert fisk, rest in power

    I was very saddened to hear of the too-young death of Robert Fisk, veteran war journalist, author, and truth-teller. Fisk was often criticized for “politicizing” war reporting, or for not being “objective”. Most war journalists are little more than propaganda mouthpieces for the wealthy countries that invade and

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