Paul Williams needs our help

[ellen_datlow]

From the Paul Williams WEBSITE & SUPPORT FUND :

"Called by many the “father of rock criticism” after founding Crawdaddy Magazine at the age of 17, crucial early champion of Philip K Dick, author of the underground classic Das Energi, confidant of John Lennon, biographer of Bob Dylan and traveling companion to the Grateful Dead, Paul Williams has lived a half dozen remarkable lifetimes, and his work as rock critic, holistic philosopher and avant-garde underground gadfly forms a unique and indispensable link through the past 40 years of pop and rock culture."

ED: I met Paul and his wife only a few times (once for a garden party at Jonathan's Brooklyn apt)and he was a lovely man. I knew about the accident and in fact saw him at least once afterward but I had no idea that he was the victim of early onset Alzheimer's as a result. That really sucks and is one of my own greatest fears. (early, late, I don't care).



via Jonathan Lethem

Comments

[readingthedark.livejournal.com]

We had a long, rambling phone conversation in 2001 and I was so impressed by how his mind worked. His recall was impressive and he was a born storyteller. I love his work and was saddened by the news.

[gwynnega]

How awful. I've met his wife a number of times, and PW himself once or twice (maybe in the late '90s?). I had no idea any of this was going on.

[dasenergi.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the news. I have added a blurb and link on my main page.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I knew about the accident, knew he's sustained some brain damage but I'd thought that it was relatively minor (difficulty in concentration, things like that). This development I hadn't known about until now.