IT would be remiss of me not to mention that Gonzo: The Life And Work Of Dr Hunter S Thompson is showing at the QFT from tonight, seeing as I owe at least a pseudonym and countless ellipses to the drug-crazed, brilliant and flawed freak genius who sparked some of my own interest in politics, journalism and other bad craziness with his Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail ’72 (“the least factual, most accurate” account of the election). While HST had clearly lost it in later years, his trip from the mid-60s to mid-70s defined a moment in American history and new journalism. “I’m really in the way as a person,” Thompson once said before blowing his own brains out with one of his many guns. “The myth has taken over. I find myself an appendage. I’m no longer necessary. I’m in the way. It would be much better if I died. Then people could take the myth and make films.” Despite going out with a bang, the gonzo legacy lives on… and most noticeably in blogging.
Discover more from Slugger O'Toole
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
