Unbelievable. R.I.P. Ken -----Original Message----- From: kent williams [mailto:chaircrus...@gmail.com] Sent: 30 September 2010 14:17 To: list 313 Subject: (313) Aarron Carl has passed
Those of you up early in the US who checked Facebook or Twitter already know this, but Aaron Carl Ragland died overnight, having just started chemotherapy for a just-diagnosed cancer. This is a terrible loss for Aaron's family, Detroit, and the world. I didn't know the man well, other than a couple of long conversations earlier this year on the phone. I was impressed by his drive to make things happen in Detroit, not just for himself, or for Detroit Dance Music (though they were things he loved DEEP, second only to his family and friends) but the next generations of kids. Aaron was openly, flamboyantly gay man who came out at a time and place where it was a lot easier to stay on the down low. The Detroit dance scene is a lot more open and accepting than the wider culture, but it's a brave man who's willing to be honest with the whole world the way AC was. Aaron presented himself transcended his sexuality, it represented an openness and honesty that's an example for everyone. Aaron was genuine, authentic, true, no bullsh*t. And he was funny as hell too. Inexplicably, he was afraid of trees -- can you watch this and not laugh? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJVdtEzUJII The W.A.R.M.T.H. "Wallshaker" Compilation he put out last December was a great example of what Aaron Carl could do -- bring people together under a positive vibe. That's what I'll be listening to today, and if you don't yet have it, you can listen to the mix I made of it: http://www.cornwarning.com/chaircrusher/Chaircrusher-WallshakerMix.mp3 AC I love you, and I hope you're slapping skin with Ron Hardy and Arthur Russell and James Stinson about now, and they've got your crate by the tables waiting for you.
