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We will miss you Hunter S. Thompson

Michael Brands photo

Hunter S. Thompson gone? NO!

There’s a hush over the valley today. Hunter was a lot of things to a lot of people and he will be missed and remembered by many.

He contributed to our world on many levels in many ways. On a local level he cared deeply about Woody Creek and this valley and took his passions to the people when he saw things getting out of hand. He was a Southern gentleman and a nice guy. He also carried a huge can of whoopass and wasn’t afraid to use it. He spoke his mind and didn’t pull any punches. He represented for the days of old Aspen. And now another of those edgy voices from Aspen’s glory days is still.

Hunter ran for Pitkin County Sheriff in 1970 on the freak ticket and nearly won. Even though he did not emerge from that colorful campaign with a victory, he came close and held his constituency in his back pocket for future causes. The freaks came out when he called them and helped defeat airport expansion. The freaks were called out for voter registration rallies and war protests.

Steve Skinner photo

As a member of the Woody Creek Caucus, Hunter participated and fought for what he thought was right, even when it meant butting heads with some of his best friends. His politics were grassroots, radical, passionate and pointed. He was reclusive, but when it was time to call on his star power he stuck his neck out.

Here at the Aspen Daily News, Hunter was an inspiration and an influence. During the night shifts when the paper was coming together Hunter would often call to talk issues, vent or see what was up or offer a tip. He made friends with many of the paper’s editors and reporters over the years and even did a stint as guest editor for a very cutting issue of the paper. Hunter was a journalist and like the company of fellow journalists whether they were writing for this rag or the New York Times.

Hunter had local friends who loved him and protected him from the press of the outside world. His kitchen was the nerve center and was abuzz at night with friends reading his writing, football games flashing on the TV screen and lively conversation mingling with the smoke and the drinks. He also enjoyed his celebrity friends like Ed Bradley, Johnny Depp, Keith Richards, Warren Zevon and countless others. The man had power, influence, friends.

At the nerve center Hunter’s typewriter blazed and his fax machine lit up. No one sent faxes like Hunter. They were sometimes funny, sometimes biting, always witty and often contained bits of art that could only come from the brilliant mind of Hunter S. Thompson. Hunter’s faxes were proof that he still had the ability to burn up a Smith Corona in seconds flat. I can only hope that someone will hurry up and collect all the faxes that can be found and publish them at once.

As an artist, Hunter created explosive art, which became a genre all to itself. You could spot a Thompson from a mile away. And you could often hear the sounds of Hunter’s "paintbrush" echoing through Woody Creek. Those echoes will eventually fade and the silence that follows will be deafening and sad.
Hunter S. Thompson was a writer, an artist, an activist, a humorist and a very good man. I feel for Hunter’s fans, friends and family. I’m thankful for Hunter’s contributions to our community and to the world community. Anyone who met him had a story and a memory. Those who knew Hunter or even knew of him will never forget this cultural icon that peppered the world with his brilliant mind. Hunter S. Thompson, you will be sorely missed around here.

Steve Skinner feels sorry for the devil because even hell itself will probably not be weird enough for Hunter (and he’ll certainly raise hell about that). Reach Steve at Nigel@sopris.net.

Freddie Fisher - Photo courtesy of Susan Fox

Thanks for sniiffing by the website. June 12 was Freddie Fisher's 100th birthday. We at the label celebrated by hoisting several canisters of Flying Dog Ale in his honor. We suggest you do the same!

Freddie Fisher - Photo courtesy of Susan Fox

NEW LOVE MACHINE

The new album is here! Smash Hits bySteve Skinner + the Love Machine is now available for your consumption. To hear some nectar and to find out more about the band and the album click on this link.

The latest Flying Dog Records Products for your consumption:

1. Steve Skinner + The Love Machine - SMASH HITS. 12 brand new recordings of the new incarnation of the Love Machine. Topic, funky and rocking this album does not waste a second of your time. Classic sound and fresh production make the tunes sparkle on this masterpiece. Album comes with ten panel insert and includel lyrics and photos.

2. Dr. Sadistic and the Silverking Crybabies. Pyramid Punk and Maroon Balls remastered onto one jam-packed disc. Great new art and liner notes from the Doctor himself. (Scroll down to read more about it. $20 mail order includes shipping.

3. The Aspen History Box. This timeless collection spans decades and contains five CDs from Aspen's colorful musical past: The Aspen Sampler, Volume 1 and Volume 2; Freddie Fisher, "Horsey Keep Your Tail Up"; Dr. Sadistic and the Silverking Crybabies, "It's Alive! The complete recorded legacy..."; Steve Skinner and Interruptus, "Umbrella Man." We are shipping these boxes to anywhere in the US for $50 total, $60 international.

4. Freddie Fisher T Shirt. Free with History Box mail orders and purchases of more than $40. Or $18 includes shipping.

Send a check or money order to the address at left or use your credit card in the store (shipping prices may be higher.)

For a complete listing of our albums and artists go to the MP3 page. To purchase records, please proceed to the store page and use your credit card. If you have any problems executing your purchase, please contact me via e-mail as listed at the left side of this page. I will also mail you any of our CDs for 20 bucks including shipping. Add 15 bucks for additional discs with no extra shipping charge.

FLYING DOG RECORDS RERELEASES DR. SADISTIC AND THE SILVERKING CRYBABIES’ VINYL ON CD

In the early 1980’s Aspen had its very own punk band—Dr. Sadistic and the Silverking Crybabies. The good doctor, under the influence of local musician and filmmaker Steve Saylor (nee Sandwich) made two independent albums of satiric punk-flavored rock. They also became Aspen’s premier Halloween attraction. (If you remember, you weren’t there.) Now Steve Skinner and Flying Dog Records has rereleased both Crybabies albums on one CD, titled, "It’s Alive. The Hideous and Insidious Recorded Legacy."

Long-time Aspenites kept demanding a CD release because they couldn’t find a turntable for the Crybabies’ pre-CD vinyl, an item that certifies Aspen citizenship as definitively as a Jim Hayes belt buckle, an ACL scar, or an original Hunter Thompson for Sheriff poster.

The two Crybabies albums comprised an entire punk operetta, never staged. But the story is still compelling and the libretto yet awaits a theatrical or film treatment, say the composers, Dan Sadowsky and Steve Saylor.

The Crybabies looked similar to a hard-working apres-ski band from the 80’s, The Aspen Flyers, if you squinted, but their music went far afield from apres-ski requests of the day like "Margaritaville," and "Devil Went Down to Georgia." Die-hard fans and a whole new generation can now rock out to parodies such as, "Let’s Eat the Cat," "Sitting Ducks on the Chairlift," "Condo Bondage," and the legendary, "Dead Weight in the Hot Tub."

The release of the Crybabies’ material completes a box set of historic Aspen music on the Flying Dog Records label (www.flyingdogrecords.com). Also included in the series is The Aspen Sampler, Vol. 1, The Aspen Sampler Vol. 2, Freddie Fisher, "Horsey Keep Your Tail Up," and Steve Skinner’s "Umbrella Man." The Flying Dog Records’ catalog is available online. Retail outlets include Great Divide Music, the Woody Creek Store, Sam Goody, Carl’s Pharmacy and The Miner’s Building. Steve Skinner says, "The Crybabies CD makes a perfect Christmas gift for your cherished friends or family. Who doesn’t love bad punk rock?"

Who, indeed? Watch for a CD release party soon, featuring what the world has waited these twenty years to hear; Dr. Sadistic and the Silverking Crybabies—unplugged.

Click on the earwig for the Woody Creek Store site.

Click on the dog for the Great American Dog Search.

To enter a dog picture or dog story in the Great American Dog Search please e-mail jpegs (under 10 meg) and text files to steve@flyingdogrecords.com. To submit a song, send it to the address on the left side of this page. Winning dogs will be featured on the Great American Dog Album in stores next winter. Click on Buck the original Flying Dog dog for more.