October 22, 2003
Elliott Smith, 1969-2003
http://www.salon.com/ent/music/feature/2003/10/22/smith/index.html
One of my favorite musicians, singer-songwriter Elliott Smith, committed suicide. He was 34. He wrote some of the most raw and honest and painfully sad music I have ever heard. Lots of people write depressing music and don't kill themselves, but I guess you never really know an artist simply by listening to their songs.
My favorite album by him was XO. You might have heard his song "Miss Misery" in Good Will Hunting, or his song "Needle in the Hay" from The Royal Tenenbaums.
What can I say? I'm sad that there won't be any more music from him. At least he left five great albums for us to listen to.
Posted by mike, October 22, 2003 10:24 AMThat is really sad. He was very gifted.
I wonder what the suicide rate, in general, is for musicians? Do they kill themselves off more than other people do, or does it just seem that way because we actually notice when they do it?
Just wondered.
Posted by: Shane at October 22, 2003 10:57 AMOh no. Oh man.
Posted by: Amy at October 22, 2003 11:54 AMThe more I think about it the more it bothers me. I'm tired of it. Please, talented people, stop killing yourselves. It pains me.
Posted by: Shawn at October 23, 2003 10:06 PM