Last week, a news story took me back to 1977.
I was in Mrs. Grossman’s class in the first grade. It was time for art, and I was drawing superheroes and GI Joe like always. Sitting across from me, James Carr was drawing with absolute joy in his eyes. James was drawing the rock band, Kiss, in full makeup with flames going everywhere. He was clearly a Kiss fan, and this drawing was a labor of love.
Kiss guitarist, Ace Frehley, passed away at 74 last week. Ace was the rebellious heart of Kiss, whose raw, unpolished talent and Spaceman persona provided a relatable coolness amidst the band’s calculated spectacle. His iconic guitar riffs on tracks like “Shock Me” were the authentic, rock and roll backbone of the band’s biggest anthems. For many fans, he was the proof that behind the makeup and pyrotechnics, a genuine rock star was lurking.
Last week, another news story took me back to 2000.
I was in my little studio apartment on the ground floor. On the CD player was D’Angelo’s “Voodoo.” My eyes were closed, and my head was nodding along to the hypnotic, raw and soulful beats. With Voodoo, D’Angelo took inspiration from the past and then took music decades into the future. I still do not think we have caught up with Voodoo.
D’Angelo passed away at 51 last week. He captivated music fans by merging the raw soul of vintage R&B with a daring, genre-bending sophistication. His masterful musicianship and impossibly smooth vocals created a deeply sensual and spiritually resonant sound. For many, he wasn’t just a singer, but the visionary architect of a soulful renaissance.
I send condolences to the families of Ace, D’Angelo, and their millions of fans.