Am shocked and saddened to post that our friend Stephen Sprouse died yesterday at 50 years old.

In a homegrown NY, Downtown Costume Institute way, he was THE defining designer of The Nightclub Era that spanned from punk to grunge.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chi Chi,

I am saddened by this great loss. Do you know what was the cause of death was ?

The NY Times has a very good obit... very sad news

As I understand it - heart failure, with lung cancer as a contributing factor.

This is terrible news. My heart goes out to his friends and family.

Shhh...I'm trying to listen to reason...

I was shocked to read that Stephen Sprouse has moved on to another dimension, and at such a youngish age. So sad, of course, but from the press, I never get the medical details on the course of illness & cause of death, which are always of interest to me as the nurse. If it was heart failure secondary to lung cancer, then a quick end to that story is the best (a slow death not being able to breathe is horrible- as I have witnessed on more than one occasion in my business) and hopefully he was properly medicated (more morphine please nurse) to make his transition peaceful. His passing serves as a reminder to each of us to live for today, because who knows what card we are dealt tomorrow. Anyway, he has had his moments in fashion history, and he will go down as a great visionary (alas though not the greatest in business for himself)- among so many of his pieces (the LV bags were a great success but under Marc Jacobs umbrella), his jacket for Cher at her Letterman appearance with Sonny was brilliant- God Save The Queen!- in safety pins & sequins. I still have a simple and plain black jean jacket of his from his store on Wooster from the 80s.

So sorry to hear of his demise. He was a complicated and sweet man. So talented and yet his demons haunted him for so long.I wonder if his lung cancer had anything to do with how much he smoked? I can't remember ever seeing him without a smoke in his hand. I wish all my ciggy friends would rethink their relationship with ciggerettes. I smoked for 13 years and it was the greatest thing I ever did for myself to quit. God rest his soul.

Spalding Grey

A body found floating in the East River has been officially identified as Spalding Grey. He was reported missing on January 10 when he left his apartment to meet a friend for a drink and never turned up. He had reportedly been suffering from clinical depression for some time.
Beginning with his early work at the Performing Garage in the 1970s, and including his many appearances on the big screen, Spalding was an enormous influence on many of us New Yorkers who take to the stage. His work helped to make the autobiographical monologue leap from the printed page and into the context of live performance.
Incredibly, though he was best known for the filmed versions of his monologues, "Swimming To Cambodia," and "Gray's Anatomy," he also appeared in the 1976 cult classic, "Ilsa, Keeper Of the Oil Sheik's Harem!"

SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES GUITAR HERO DIES


SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES and MAGAZINE guitarist JOHN McGEOCH has died in his sleep at the age of 48.

The punk veteran was also famous for his work with Sex Pistol John Lydon's Public Image Limited.

Steven Severin, bass player for the Banshees, said in a statement on his website: "I was shocked and saddened to hear that John passed away in his sleep last Thursday. Although we hadn't worked together for a long time and I hadn't seen him for a couple of years he was always in my heart and often in my thoughts."

He added: "Without doubt the most inventive guitarist of our generation and my favourite Banshee. Love to all his friends and family. Bye John."

According to press reports, McGeoch qualified as a nurse in 1995 after giving up performing. However, he continued to work on music for television.

Born in Greenock, Scotland in 1955, the guitarist moved to Los Angeles in 1986 only to return to the UK in the Nineties.

His distinctive guitar playing and sound can be heard on such Siouxsie And The Banshees hits as 'Happy House', 'Spellbound' and 'Christine'.

Sad sad news.... comedy writer Drake Sather 44, killed himself last wk (gunshot to the head) at his loft in LA.... You probably don't know him but you will know his work - The Larry Sanders show, Ed, Zoolander,SNL.... I had the pleasure of working with Drake and even took him to London once... he had the most amazing mind, real dry sense of humor...and real cute too!!!LOL So sad that this happened...

[This message was edited by Anna Nicole on 03-16-04 at 06:03 AM.]

I had no idea about John McGeoch...find a copy of Magazine's "Song from Under the Floorboards" and weep at that guitar riff.

"I am angry I am ill and I'm as ugly as sin
my irritability keeps me alive and kicking
I know the meaning of life, it doesn't help me a bit
I know beauty and I know a good thing when I see it."

John McGeoch was a good thing...RIP.

LIZZY MERCIER DESCLOUX

I don't know if there are many fans of hers on the boards, but I thought I'd post about this. Lizzy was diagnosed with cancer last year and passed away April 2004. http://www.zerecords.com/ has more info in her artist bio.

This was really weird for me to find out, I was just listening to some of her music last night...

LMD's "Press Color" was the album that ushered in the '80s for me. It includes a major version of Arthur Brown's "Fire" and a gorge version of the Mission Impossible Theme before Tom Cruise ruined even the thought of such. Lizzy was a brilliant visual artist as well. About 10 years ago I saw some paintings of hers that were electrifying.

just keeping up with the news in the hood.... was the manager who was murdered at Pop restaurant this weekend...was this the same Tim I used to know from Cafe Tabac??(back about 5yrs ago).. have a feeling it was???

http://wb11.trb.com/nyc-homi0502,0,2933167.story?coll=wpix-home-3
Shit... just read this ... it WAS the same Tim from Cafe Tabac / Lemon.... real sweet guy. RIP, VIP

Looks like there will be a memorial for Lizzy Mercier Descloux showing her paintings etc. Here's the link http://www.cbgb.com/gallery/may22.htm

A great obit in the British press http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/story.jsp?story=527204

Robert Quine Found Dead
http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000526473
This saddens me. I went through an obssessive Richard Hell phase and Robert's playing was such a vital part of it. His talent will be missed.

He was a such a nice guy.
I remember him from when I was playing in punk bands at CBGB & Max's etc. He was always very kind to young untalented wanna-be musicians.
He actually got us gigs... and we were the worst!
I appreciated it.

Rest In Peace Mr. Ray Charles. A legend and a Master.