THOMPSON CAN(N)ONIZED AT WOODY CREEK EVENT: Although it might get a bit lost in last weekend’s explosive Aug. 21 send-off, Hunter S. Thompson was first and foremost a writer. I read most of his work, right up to the 21^st century sports musings and rants on ESPN’s web site. I also am pleased to see that his books have been reissued in cool new trade paperbacks. Thompson’s colleagues at last weekend's farewell event in Woody Creek, Colo. (located dangerously close to Aspen, wretched-excess capital of the USA), commented on his writing talents in a New York Times article. Jann Wenner, publisher of Rolling Stone magazine, whose early history was entwined with Thompson's early career, said that Thompson was "the DNA of Rolling Stone" and called him "one of the greatest writers of the 20th century." Douglas Brinkley, the historian and Thompson's literary executor, said that beyond Thompson's persona as an outlaw journalist, "Hunter wanted to be remembered as a writer." He called him "the Billy the Kid of American literature." (P.S.: I wish I could claim credit for it, but I stole the "canonized" pun from the NYT.)

- posted by Michael Shay @ 1:47 PM