US musician and poet Gil Scott-Heron dies at 62

Gerald · 05-28-11, 11:57 AM

US musician and poet Gil Scott-Heron, often called the Godfather of Rap, has died in a New York hospital aged 62.

The cause of his death is not clear, but he is believed to have become ill after returning from a visit to Europe.

Scott-Heron's material spanned soul, jazz, blues and the spoken word. His 1970s work heavily influenced the US hip-hop and rap scenes.

His work had a strong political element - one of his most famous pieces was The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.

Scott-Heron's friend Doris Nolan said the musician had died at St Luke's Hospital on Friday afternoon.

"We're all sort of shattered," she told the Associated Press.

Scott-Heron was born in Chicago in 1949 - the son of former football player in Britain - and grew up in Tennessee before moving to New York.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13582880

Note: 28 May 2011 Last updated at 07:58 GMT

Gerald · 05-28-11, 11:59 AM

Gil Scott-Heron - 'Me And The Devil' (Official HD Video)

RIP Gil!

vienna · 05-28-11, 01:37 PM

I heard a lot of his work in the 60's and 70's. I find it a little dismissive to label him as just "The Godfather of Rap". His work, while it may have influenced rap and hip-hop, was far broader in scope and had more substance than almost all that is called rap today. He was a true poet and not just a clever rhymester. Alongside the Last Poets, he had a voice that communicated beyond genres. RIP Gil...

Sailor Steve · 05-28-11, 02:03 PM

I was never really familiar with his work. I followed the link and ended up listening to a lot, both old and new. It seems the day after he died he collected a new fan.

vienna · 05-28-11, 02:33 PM

It's like Jimi Hendrix once said: "Once you're dead,you're made for life".

05-28-11, 11:57 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	US musician and poet Gil Scott-Heron dies at 62 US musician and poet Gil Scott-Heron, often called the Godfather of Rap, has died in a New York hospital aged 62. The cause of his death is not clear, but he is believed to have become ill after returning from a visit to Europe. Scott-Heron's material spanned soul, jazz, blues and the spoken word. His 1970s work heavily influenced the US hip-hop and rap scenes. His work had a strong political element - one of his most famous pieces was The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. Scott-Heron's friend Doris Nolan said the musician had died at St Luke's Hospital on Friday afternoon. "We're all sort of shattered," she told the Associated Press. Scott-Heron was born in Chicago in 1949 - the son of former football player in Britain - and grew up in Tennessee before moving to New York. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13582880 Note: 28 May 2011 Last updated at 07:58 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

05-28-11, 11:59 AM	#2
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Gil Scott-Heron - 'Me And The Devil' (Official HD Video) RIP Gil! __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

05-28-11, 02:03 PM	#4
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	I was never really familiar with his work. I followed the link and ended up listening to a lot, both old and new. It seems the day after he died he collected a new fan. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

05-28-11, 01:37 PM	#3
vienna Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anywhere but the here & now... Posts: 7,711 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	I heard a lot of his work in the 60's and 70's. I find it a little dismissive to label him as just "The Godfather of Rap". His work, while it may have influenced rap and hip-hop, was far broader in scope and had more substance than almost all that is called rap today. He was a true poet and not just a clever rhymester. Alongside the Last Poets, he had a voice that communicated beyond genres. RIP Gil...

05-28-11, 02:33 PM	#5
vienna Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anywhere but the here & now... Posts: 7,711 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	It's like Jimi Hendrix once said: "Once you're dead,you're made for life".