Complex Blog » obituary

R.I.P. George Carlin

bfred — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:23:03 +0000

Yesterday, we lost one of the true O.G. characters of our culture when George Carlin passed away from heart failure at the age of 71. In the world of stand-up comedians, this New York City native is one of the profession’s true icons, rivaled only by legends like Richard Pryor.

Known for pushing taboo subjects and challenging societal norms, he is the reason why the FCC has so much power over the content that we hear on the airwaves today. Back in 1973, an angry father complained about Carlin’s “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television” routine being broadcast on the radio, which led directly to a landmark Supreme Court decision that gave the FCC the power to determine what is and what is not “indecent.” Learn more about this comedy God by watching some classic clips below.

1973 Stand-up Routine From His Operation:Foole Album:

An Early Appearance on The Tonight Show in 1966:

Carlin On Religion and the “Invisible Man” in 2001:

Unveiling “Buddy Christ” in 1999’s Dogma:

Carlin On The “7 Words” in 1978:

CNN Report Explaining The “7 Words” Controversey:

LSD Inventor Albert Hofmann Dies

bfred — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:22:25 +0000

On April 16, 1943, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann was doing just another experiment on a lysergic acid compound, when he accidentally absorbed some through his fingertips. Three days later, he ingested 250 micrograms of the compound and hopped on his bike to make his way home. That’s when he started to experience the world’s first acid trip:

“In a dreamlike state, with eyes closed (I found the daylight to be unpleasantly glaring), I perceived an uninterrupted stream of fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors. After some two hours this condition faded away.”

He continued to experiment with hallucinogens, becoming the first person to synthesize psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, in 1958. While he was critical of casual hippie LSD use, he was still a lifelong advocate of the drug he referred to as “medicine for the soul.” Hofman finally died yesterday of a heart attack at the ripe old age of 102. After the jump, watch a documentary about the development of LSD called Hofmann’s Potion.

[Wired]

R.I.P. Breakdancing Legend Frosty Freeze

bfred — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:46:35 +0000

Last night, we lost one of the best know b-boys of all time when Wayne “Frosty Freeze” Frost passed away at the age of 44 at NYC’s Mount Sinai Medical Center. As a pioneering member of the original Rock Steady Crew, Freeze is credited with inventing the popular “suicide” move and introducing breaking to the masses through his appearances in Flashdance, Wild Style, Beat Street and Style Wars. Remember the O.G. after the jump with his appearance in Flashdance and a recent video interview.

Flashdance’s breaking scene with the Rock Steady Crew:

A recent interview with Frosty Freeze:

[L.A. Times]

New Mixtape Blends B.I.G. and Jimi Hendrix

treats — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:22:53 +0000

Like Biggie Smalls material, mash-ups don’t die. But since it came in time to commemorate Brooklyn’s Finest we’ll give it a pass. Otherwise, no more mash-ups. And before another Gnarls Barkley x B.I.G. mix surfaces, we’ve moved on, so should you. Get it here.

[Via Boing-Boing]