Gil Scott-Heron

Gil Scott-Heron

Gil Scott-Heron Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on May 28, 2011.
NEW YORK (AP) - Musician Gil Scott-Heron, who helped lay the groundwork for rap by fusing minimalistic percussion, political expression and spoken-word poetry on songs such as "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," died Friday at age 62.

A friend, Doris C. Nolan, who answered the telephone listed for his Manhattan recording company, said he died in the afternoon at St. Luke's Hospital after becoming sick upon returning from a European trip.

"We're all sort of shattered," she said.

Scott-Heron's influence on rap was such that he sometimes was referred to as the Godfather of Rap, a title he rejected.

"If there was any individual initiative that I was responsible for it might have been that there was music in certain poems of mine, with complete progression and repeating 'hooks,' which made them more like songs than just recitations with percussion," he wrote in the introduction to his 1990 collection of poems, "Now and Then."

He r eferred to his signature mix of percussion, politics and performed poetry as bluesology or Third World music. But then he said it was simply "black music or black American music."

"Because Black Americans are now a tremendously diverse essence of all the places we've come from and the music and rhythms we brought with us," he wrote.

Nevertheless, his influence on generations of rappers has been demonstrated through sampling of his recordings by artists, including Kanye West.

Scott-Heron recorded the song that would make him famous, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised," which critiqued mass media, for the album "125th and Lenox" in Harlem in the 1970s. He followed up that recording with more than a dozen albums, initially collaborating with musician Brian Jackson. His most recent album was "I'm New Here," which he began recording in 2007 and was released in 2010.

Throughout his musical career, he took on political issues of his time, including aparthe id in South Africa and nuclear arms. He had been shaped by the politics of the 1960s and the black literature, especially of the Harlem Renaissance.

Scott-Heron was born in Chicago on April 1, 1949. He was raised in Jackson, Tenn., and in New York before attending college at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.

Before turning to music, he was a novelist, at age 19, with the publication of "The Vulture," a murder mystery.

He also was the author of "The Nigger Factory," a social satire.


Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press

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May 28, 2020

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July 2, 2016

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475 Entries

May 28, 2020

God is a God of all Comfort and he will Comfort the family's..My heartfelt condolences to the family's...

Valenda Newell

July 2, 2016

I believe in the WISDOM of the SPOKEN WORD. One can relax and be cared for by the DIVINE. The DIVINE will always be there to catch one.......PRAYERS and BLESSINGS

Barb J

May 27, 2016

I'm sorry for your loss and may you find comfort in God's Inspired word the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16) With deepest sympathy.

Brenda Kelly

September 13, 2015

Gil the pleasure was all mine. You performed as such a genuis.
Be kept

Libby Richardson

June 15, 2015

Never heard of until I recently seen u on TV and u touched my heart so much u are an extraordinary man.may god bless u and keep u in his kingdom and grant u your wings u deserved them RIP GIl

charles hall

March 19, 2015

1 of the biggest influences in my life

February 18, 2015

martin "Marty" Podbesek

Raquel Yasharal

November 24, 2014

I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOST, I FEEL THAT I LOST A BROTHER AND A GOOD AND A PEN PAL, I DIDN'T ACTALLY WRITE TO HIM, I FELT HE WAS WRITING TO ALL OF US. SAYING WAKE UP Mighty People. I will miss him. I played all his records and will continue to do so.Thank you brother.

NadIra Abdullah Muhammad

September 7, 2014

ASA for one of the best that ever did it brother Gil an his messages are apart of my every day life everything that he was talking about is happening today when ever he came to Philly I was there he is truly missed RIP .my brother ????????????

JUNE SIMPSON

May 27, 2014

REST IN PEACE IN HEAVEN JUNE...REUNITED WITH JOHN AND IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

Lloyd Scott

May 27, 2014

I saw you Live at Kimball's East in the late 80s. You were great. You are still missed and the Revolution (Still) Will not be Televised. Rest in peace, Sir.

charles woolery

May 27, 2014

One of the baddest artist i ever had the privelege of seeing on stage rest my brother longbeach,ca.

khalimah Halim

May 27, 2014

You and your contributions were awesome and will never be forgotten. I can't express enough thanks!!!!

PEGGY MCLEAN

March 30, 2014

I LEARNED ABOUT GILS PASSING ON THE GIL SCOTT HERON UNSUNG PROFILE, NEVER HEARD HIS MUSIC BEFORE THEN, AND NOW I WILL NEVER FORGET THE MESSAGE IN THE MUSIC. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

Rosalind Denning

March 8, 2014

Thank you for your wonderful contribution to the music industry! You will be missed, but not forgotten?

Lynda Logan

March 7, 2014

Rest in Peace, Gil. You are truly missed.

Marjahna Hart

February 24, 2014

Accepting that you are no longer on these grounds to share your prolific, thought provoking messages saddens me every time I think of you. And because I love your music and your message, those thoughts are often. RIP to my fellow Jackson Tennessee seed.

Zar Dyer

February 22, 2014

I first came to listen to Gil for at least 10yrs. I seen on unsung on tv one about him .. And I instant start playing his music

February 21, 2014

I was a big fan of Gil Scott-Heron from the 70's until today which I have some CDs.

Gil Scott-Heron will be missed. I did not find out of his death until I saw it on television recently.

Rest in Peace.

A devoted fan,

Jackie S.

Greg

February 19, 2014

I was introduced to Gil Scott-Heron's music by a couple of guys from D.c., in 1977. Being a "Gator" from Florida, I was clueless to GSH! My eyes, my mind and my heart was opened! Thank You, my Brother! Rest In Peace!

Stephanie Spence

February 18, 2014

You, Mr.Gil Scott-Heron are the true pioneer of spoken word for the entire African American/ Black people. You gave us another voice and I am forever grateful for the world giving us your presence. You live on through your profound words. Thank you!

JOSEPH LEHMAN

December 15, 2013

JOSEPH LEHMAN

Marilyn Williams

October 14, 2013

Will never forget you, rest in peace my friend.

Terry Houston

July 31, 2013

Terry Houston

July 31, 2013

Terry Houston

July 31, 2013

Terry Houston

July 31, 2013

Terry Houston

July 31, 2013

Terry Houston

July 31, 2013

Terry Houston

July 31, 2013

Terry Houston

July 31, 2013

April 14, 2013

My hero forever!

March 24, 2013

Don't know why but got a "Gil" vibe and started looking up and everything Gil. Got the chance to see him a couple of times in Philly but was always a fan. Sometimes "genius" is hard to overcome and, as life will be, we don't always know why. My prayer is that the brother's spirit will be able to rest in peace. Love you Gil. Finding so much truth in your timeless words. God Bless.

Nazarene Mckinney

March 23, 2013

God is for us a refuge and strength, He can be found readily during times of distress. He is The Hearer of Prayer and loves us very much. May your loved ones find comfort in him.

Val Nixon

November 3, 2012

He was a legend ......miss his creativity

Kai EL'Zabar

September 10, 2012

Gil Scott Heron was perhaps one of our most prolific wordsmith of our time whose ability to breathe music through words brought to life their meaning and message that resonates with us as authentically as they were written is what makes what he did profound. He was able to take the element of improvisation and integrate it in his very personal and unique expression of infused rhythm, blues, soul and jazz. He was the Coltrane of spoken word to music making his music lyrical and organic. He is missed but his message lives on through what he contributed.

Merle Baldwin

September 7, 2012

God bless you, Gil, may you rest in peace, definitely an icon on this side of life.....

Darrel Sewell

September 4, 2012

Gil is probably the impetus and one of the most inspirational figures in the black movement of the 70's. He surely was a major cog in how I viewed contemporary society. His light will shine forever in our hearts and minds.

Nadira Abdullah Muhammad

August 23, 2012

Gil u r truly missed. Everytime u came to philly I was there. Rip

Darrel Sewell

June 24, 2012

Don Morrow

June 19, 2012

To the family and wife Marion of Paul Pagano Jr. He was a good friend I've known for over 40 years. He will be truely missed. I know he has to be in a better place.I too just lost a close family member within the last few days.My prayers are with you.

candels lit for Gil today......

SparkleBreeze

April 1, 2012

L.Maria Culbreth

April 1, 2012

Today April 1, Gil's 63rd Birthday,listening to my favorites of his soul stirring renditions.
Sparkle Breeze

Happy Birthday Gil, April 1

Sparkle Breeze

April 1, 2012

L.Maria Culbreth

April 1, 2012

thinking of you Gil on your Birthday April 1,you're always loved and missed.
adding another great photo.
SparkleBreeze (L.Maria Culbreth)

March 25, 2012

RIP GSH Steveo

January 24, 2012

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

mark featherstone

January 20, 2012

You'll be mlssed always, God bless you. Your friend, Mark featherstone

Paige Smith

November 24, 2011

Your music has touched the heart and soul of many, you are a true legend.

Lori Payne

October 27, 2011

Thank you for sharing your vision, intellect and pain with all of us. We will pass it on.

Stanley Watford

October 21, 2011

Your music was my life. Your music will live on through my children and there children and so on and on. you will be missed my brother. to the family May God Bless you all. D.J. Sammy D- BK N.Y. Finest

mildred offins

October 14, 2011

Thank you Inez for being a friend. I will miss you and miss talking to you.

Steve Murdock

Sheila Spear-Melton

October 11, 2011

May God Bless the family of Gil Scott fine musician.

October 4, 2011

May God be with you in your time of need.from Debora Ann MCcormick

Yolanda Mitchell

August 29, 2011

Gil...I first saw and heard you, I was 19....I'm now 57...I'm still here.....you should be too. Who will write the poems then sing the songs with the message where some of us have no need of explaination? Who will tell those who come way after us, what was up back in the day? Who will remind me that my own daddy "loves his little chocolate girl"? Write on...Right on......you're busy up there now....lots to see, lots of folks to meet...if you see my Grandmas Exie or Clementine please tell em' hi...if bump into my Great Granddaddy George, let him know I'm tryin' as hard as I can to keep the family farm intact and that I hope he's proud.... May God comfort your family and loved ones and that their Real Eyes....see and realize... they will all see you again.... I miss knowing you're somewhere here and will someday see you there...I think I'll Call It Sunday....from now on.....

cecil williams

August 21, 2011

When we think that a city has a victory to be won and the artist cannot halt until his earthly work is done we shall recall all the music and poetry that Heron got done and he will be a missing page from an American son
Love and peace and God's miraculous works will never cease in blessings and the strength of mind to put many into the arena of performance and the power of our collective mind. Thank you

Ali Kgokong

August 9, 2011

Hi ,it is with great sadness to lose someone like this , the African Lion which roars the new reality of live back in the days of revolution not only in USA but also in South Africa my beloved country.. this Ali Kgokong from Rustenburg, South Africa.. ( Africa !!!

July 7, 2011

To the famiy of Gil Scott-Heron, May your hearts be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you clelbrate a life well live. Ps. 46:1.

P C

July 3, 2011

It's still Winter in America you lived to see the 1980's and a Legend in your own time. [Love you Gil]

Allen Bond

June 26, 2011

to the family god bless no words could convey THIS REVOLUTION DOESN'T NEED TO BE TELEVISED in the mighty name of Jesus stay blessed AMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bonita

June 18, 2011

May the friends and family of Gil Scott Heron find peace and comfort of the passing of a special man, poet, father, and teacher of the world. You are gone but your music remains forever.

BRUNI Sablan

June 17, 2011

Gil Scott Heron, you have been a great inspiration and the world and just a bit colder without you here. May you be free now, and flying amongst the moon and the stars....with much love. BRUNI

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May 28, 2020

Someone posted to the memorial.

July 2, 2016

Valenda Newell posted to the memorial.

May 27, 2016

Barb J posted to the memorial.