http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=avd8IiyNuA6M&refer=musehttp://uk.reuters.com/article/mediaNews/idUKN2339172520080623Quote:
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Comedian George Carlin, a counter-culture hero famed for his routines about drugs and dirty words, died of heart failure at a Los Angeles-area hospital on Sunday, a spokesman said. He was 71.
Carlin, who had a history of heart problems, died at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica about 6 p.m. PDT (9 p.m. EDT) after being admitted earlier in the afternoon for chest pains, spokesman Jeff Abraham told Reuters.
Known for his edgy, provocative material, Carlin achieved status as an anti-Establishment icon in the 1970s with stand-up bits full of drug references and a routine about seven dirty words you could not say on television. A regulatory battle over a radio broadcast of his "Filthy Words" routine ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
He was one of the most open and frank comedians that had a very unique way of actually entertaining everyone at his shows by getting them all to laugh at just how utterly and ridiculously funny living amongst other humans on this planet can be at times.
The guy truly was my comedy hero. He was a kind gentle man that always treated his fans kindly and with a lot of respect and appreciation. Through the high and the lows of his career, he was never too busy to sign an autograph or shake a fan's hand, and always was polite as possible to those around him or that he worked with.
One of the greatest joy of my life was when many years ago, after attending one of his live shows, I actually got to have a brief conversation with him while helping him carry a few of his things out to a waiting car. He thanked me politely, smiled that crazy smile of his, shook my hand, and even apologized for bothering me. He was a true class act - to be sure.
I was immediately impressed by him then - and I've been to every live show of his I could go to, bought all of his albums and CD's, and watched everything of his as a die hard devoted fan ever since.
When I first heard it on the news yesterday I was hoping it all was a big mistake, but soon had to accept sadly that it wasn't. I've kinda been feeling like I got punched in the gut hard ever since.
My heartfelt deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, his loved ones, and all of those that knew and loved him. The world has suffered a very tragic loss - for there surely will never be another like him.
R.I.P. George...you will surely be missed by all that you have ever entertained with your obvious skill, charm, intelligence, honesty, and wit. I'm going to really miss you.
...TAZ.
Oh yeah...this one's for you George. You earned it by pavin' the way for all of us comedians everywhere.
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Shit, Piss, Fuck, Cunt, Cocksucker, Motherfucker, Tits...