RIP Elliott Smith?

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Someone just told me he committed suicide. Terrible.

― kirsten (kirsten), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 01:10 (twenty-one years ago)

what? oh my god, that is fucking horrible, tell me you're joking

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 01:11 (twenty-one years ago)

I wish I could say I was...I just heard this from someone else, though. So if someone can tell me I'm wrong, I'd be very happy to hear it.

― kirsten (kirsten), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 01:12 (twenty-one years ago)

from whom did you hear it? someone reliable? this is going to ruin evening, not to mention my week, and my entire year.

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 01:15 (twenty-one years ago)

holy fucking shit. . .please please please don't let this be true.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 01:18 (twenty-one years ago)

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&edition=us&q=elliott+smith&btnG=Search+News

nothin yet

― mookieproof (mookieproof), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 01:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Okay, the person who told me this has a reliable source, but I'm sorry for not getting more details before starting this thread, and I really hope that it's not true and that I'll look like a big idiot/jerk. But it seems to be true.

― kirsten (kirsten), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 01:20 (twenty-one years ago)

As a rule, I don't think we should post news info without a link to back it up. Real news gets online real fast. Without proof it's just gossip and for one this is not the kind of gossip I like to see. I'm superstitous and talking about someone's death prematurely just freaks me out.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 01:24 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm sorry. I just kind of freaked out when I heard. You're right about back-up links.

― kirsten (kirsten), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 01:26 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm not sure that Elliott Smith is a big enough name for major news outlets to rush his obituary online though. I hope this isn't true (guess I said that already).

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 01:27 (twenty-one years ago)

I feel awful for starting this so quickly now. It was an involuntary reaction and I figured someone would have more information. I should have at least given it a different title.

― kirsten (kirsten), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 01:34 (twenty-one years ago)

he was nominated for an Oscar. That's fairly big. Sadly things like suicides are attention getters.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 01:40 (twenty-one years ago)

no mention on his fansites or kpunk.com or killrockstars.com, almost certainly false I'd say. (but it seems Dub Narcotic was in a pretty bad ar wreck, sez kpunk)

― Aaron A., Wednesday, 22 October 2003 01:44 (twenty-one years ago)

It is mentioned on the fansites - as a rumour. Check out the discussion board at http://www.sweetadeline.net/ (although there's no more information there than there is here).

― Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 01:49 (twenty-one years ago)

no mention of it yet on any official source. AP wire, CNN, VH1, nuthin.

― Kingfish (Kingfish), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 01:59 (twenty-one years ago)

I've added the question mark to the thread title at Kirsten's request -- rule of thumb when it comes to any celebrity rumor like this is to disbelief it until something official IS said. a.m.a. veterans know this all too well.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 02:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Thanks, Ned.

― kirsten (kirsten), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 02:14 (twenty-one years ago)

it's true.
but i guess you'll hear the official word tomorrow.

― lolita corpus (lolitacorpus), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 02:15 (twenty-one years ago)

! Wow. I do believe it now, since Lolita is actually in a position to know.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 02:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Fuck... Lolita, what have you heard? This is really horrible.

― Prude (Prude), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 02:20 (twenty-one years ago)

i don't know. this is weird. i just post here cuz, well, it's become my board of choice. i can't say. i don't really know the details anyway. but it's very sad and unfortunately true.

― lolita corpus (lolitacorpus), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 02:24 (twenty-one years ago)

OK this is fucking wretched, wretched, wretched - can't articulate just how awful. Ned & Lolita, you're sure?

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 02:25 (twenty-one years ago)

please please don't fucking say that. . .

i've always turned to elliott's music when i'm down. bizarrely it lefts me up. During a very rough period of my life I was able to speak with him personally several times and it helped a lot. He is a sweet, sweet man.

If this is really true, my heart will be broken.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 02:27 (twenty-one years ago)

I heard it from the same source kirsten did.

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 02:28 (twenty-one years ago)

I heard it from kirsten.

it is very sad.

― RJG (RJG), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 02:32 (twenty-one years ago)

There isn't any info that I see on that Sweet Adeline link.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 02:46 (twenty-one years ago)

oh my god. this is terrible.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 02:59 (twenty-one years ago)

amoeba los angeles = 323-245-6400 (they close in an hour).

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Ned & Lolita, you're sure?

I am sorry to have to confirm this, but I know for a fact that Lolita would know if this was true or not. I trust her implicitly on this point, and if she is saying this, it is true.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:04 (twenty-one years ago)

no, ameoba closes at 11 here. and i hope ned is wrong but gosh, i'm at a loss for words

― Vic (Vic), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:06 (twenty-one years ago)

What does Amoeba have to do with it?

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:09 (twenty-one years ago)

elliott's sister works there (they close in 45 mins.)

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Um, wouldn't that be a smidge gauche?

― Casuistry (Chris P), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Jesus H., ever so fucking slightly! If anyone here actually does that, I'll be disgusted.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:15 (twenty-one years ago)

"Hi, could I talk to Elliott Smith's sister?"
"Sure, hang on..."

[...]

"Hello?"
"Hi, are you Elliott Smith's sister?"
"Yeah, what do you want?"
"I heard on the Internet that your brother committed suicide, is that true?"
"Oh, hang on, I haven't heard, but let me try his cell..."

[...]

"Hey, you still there?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I called his cell and he didn't answer, and I called home and no one answered, so I called his bowling buddies and they haven't heard from him, so I don't know."
"Oh."
"Sure hope not, though. That would suck!"
"Yup."
"Well, OK, I have to get back to work."
"OK, thanks, Elliott Smith's sister!"
"You're very welcome, good night!"

― Casuistry (Chris P), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:15 (twenty-one years ago)

"...say, while you're on the phone, can i place an order for some Kinks reissues?"

― Kingfish (Kingfish), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:17 (twenty-one years ago)

This is awful...really, really awful. XO was like the soundtrack of my sophmore year of college. I don't know how many times I played that album driving to and from school. Damn.

― Prude (Prude), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:20 (twenty-one years ago)

lordy, i thought some of you were legitimate journalists? (mea culpa)

eg: "hi can you confirm a horrible rumor regarding elliott smith?"

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:21 (twenty-one years ago)

That's still not his sister's job.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:22 (twenty-one years ago)

(of course: not to his sister)

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:22 (twenty-one years ago)

i mean, do you think she'd be finishing up her shift if her brother had died?

no offense chris/ned but... nah nevermind.

it's sad if true.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:23 (twenty-one years ago)

I mean, I should hope she hangs up on anyone who tries to ask her that, if it's true or not.

I also imagine that if it's true and she knows it, she's probably called in sick.

(xpost)

― Casuistry (Chris P), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:24 (twenty-one years ago)

goddamn. just stop just stop please.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Um yes, this discussion's gone a bit on the off tangent - some respect and decorum guys! :/

― Trayce (trayce), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:31 (twenty-one years ago)

thanks sam and trayce,

just offering a legitimate resource to those curious about the rumors,

sorry about that.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Sigh.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 03:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Has anyone heard anything yet? The fan-site is totally swamped.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 04:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Dreamworks appear to have confirmed it.

― adaml (adaml), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 04:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Link please!?

― Sean (Sean), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 04:25 (twenty-one years ago)

well, there is this.

― maura (maura), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 04:37 (twenty-one years ago)

oh god. .

this is fucking killing me

i can't stop crying

this is horrible. . .

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 04:42 (twenty-one years ago)

This is so sad. 34 is too fucking young. Rest in peace.

― rob geary (rgeary), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 04:42 (twenty-one years ago)

bless...

― luna (luna.c), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 04:45 (twenty-one years ago)

many of you know the suicide scare i had this week with a friend. although everything turned out to be okay. it wrecked me. i still was feeling shaky today. . .now it's like that was a precursor, a warning of this.

tonight when i came home, elliott's first full-length album was lying in the middle of my living room floor. I have cats. I'm a slob. Finding random CDs isn't that unusual. But I haven't listened to that one in ages and picked it up wondering where it came from, figuring I'd put it on later.

i'm devasted. . .

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 04:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Sam, this morning I stared at "Either/Or" on the floor for about ten seconds, trying to decide whether I should take it to work to listen to. I hadn't listened to it for a very long time, too. Ultimately, I didn't -- it didn't feel right somehow. But it's strange to think I was thinking of him today...

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 04:57 (twenty-one years ago)

A tragedy.

― Jamie Conway (Jamie Conway), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 05:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Last night I needed to clear my head and played Between the Bars on the piano. I felt much better. I've always loved that song. I'm just at a loss right now.

― Prude (Prude), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 05:01 (twenty-one years ago)

This is too sad. I'm so sorry to hear it. 34 is much, much too young.

― Layna Andersen (Layna Andersen), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 06:07 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm fucking numb... 34? God....

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 06:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Lester Bangs, "Peter Laughner is dead." New York Rocker, Sept-Oct 1977: "Though he was a casualty of the times, he brought it all upon himself."

― Reginald Mantle III, Wednesday, 22 October 2003 06:50 (twenty-one years ago)

It's strange... I was never really a fan, but I saw him at the Radiohead show in Hollywood last month, and now I feel like I saw a ghost...

― Melissa W (Melissa W), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 07:01 (twenty-one years ago)

This is really sad... I was a fan, not so much of the last couple of records but Either/Or was the soundtrack to a really difficult time - I haven't been able to listen to it for years but maybe I should dig it out now.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 07:11 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm gutted ...

truly am.

― doom-e, Wednesday, 22 October 2003 07:21 (twenty-one years ago)

The other thread says http://www.tinymixtapes.com has it on their website.

― brookeisbest, Wednesday, 22 October 2003 07:34 (twenty-one years ago)

this is definitely so sad. i had xo and either/or delivered to me this morning, i was planning on getting reunited with them after listening to them when i was younger. rip elliot

― Anthony Morgan, Wednesday, 22 October 2003 07:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I saw him perform a few years ago on a hot night at the Annandale in Sydney. Quasi were the support band and his backup group as well. It was an excellent show. I have read that he had major problems with depression. Very sad. Vale.

― mentalist (mentalist), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 07:44 (twenty-one years ago)

I hate it when sad singers go and do this. It romanticises suicide in my head. It's not his fault though. RIP Elliott.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 08:00 (twenty-one years ago)

While there seems to be a liklihood of suicide given his history of depression, no details have been released. He could have gone accidentally. He could have just mixed the wrong pills with the wrong booze. We have no idea if he sat down yesterday and said, "Ok, that's it."

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 08:07 (twenty-one years ago)

That said, I would be very surprised to find out he was hit by a truck.

This news makes me hurt all over. My skin hurts.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 08:18 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.nme.com/news/106511.htm

bah

― Alan (Alan), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 08:20 (twenty-one years ago)

What did we do before Google? Can anyone remember?

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 08:23 (twenty-one years ago)

Although the NME story mostly just reports that there have been reports of his death on fansites and on radio. No independent confirmation from his label or manager or anyone official. I just emailed KEXP and the onair DJ (Larry Metro) said they haven't seen anything official either, just the rumors.

I fear it may be true given his history, but I still hold out hope it's another Internet rumor.

― King Chiron (kingchiron), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 08:24 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't think so. We have the top two fan sites writing obituaries, and more importantly, we have lolita corpus and Ned's total faith in her word. The only speculation here is how.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 08:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Not something I'd like to speculate on. This is dreadful news. RIP Elliot.

― Matt (Matt), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 09:09 (twenty-one years ago)

sad. very sad. i shared a camel with him once before a lou barlow going away gig around the time of the good will hunting craze. i didnt even know who he was & i am a fan.
he used to be a muffin maker in amherst ...rip elliott

― kephm, Wednesday, 22 October 2003 10:51 (twenty-one years ago)

this sucks. RIP elliot.

― Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 10:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Thank God Elliot Gould is still with us.

― Ally C (Ally C), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 11:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Eliot(t)s are cool.

Someone one the NME board (granted, not the most rock-solid source) said that he died from self-inflicted stab wounds. I think that's the most punk rock thing I've ever heard.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 11:32 (twenty-one years ago)

uh.

― RJG (RJG), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 11:34 (twenty-one years ago)

:-(

― Sarah MCLusky (coco), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 11:41 (twenty-one years ago)

there's an obit up on Pitchfork and on his official website has the sweetadeline obit, but i can't find a news story on it yet.

― Kingfish (Kingfish), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 11:53 (twenty-one years ago)

he died from self-inflicted stab wounds. I think that's the most punk rock thing I've ever heard.

Ummm...

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 11:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Hey, I'm not congratulating him, I'm just saying... that's pretty hardcore. And also positively Shakespearean.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 11:58 (twenty-one years ago)

but i can't find a news story on it yet.

My hunch is that it's verifiable, but papers are waiting to hear from a publicist before they say anything.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 11:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Check Google News.

― mark p (Mark P), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 11:59 (twenty-one years ago)

The Guardian is running the story now, too, but it's the same one the NME is running. "It is being reported," etc.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:00 (twenty-one years ago)

I think there's more than enough smoke, Kenan.

― mark p (Mark P), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, the Swedish distributor/label has put out a press release now, and a Swedish newspaper says that his record company confirmed his death about an hour ago. So I guess it's official.

― Hanna (Hanna), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Link?

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Well it's in Swedish, so...

http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/noje/story/0,2789,379469,00.html

This is what it says:
"On Tuesday, fansites and radio stations reported the death, and at 1.30 pm this was confirmed to Aftonbladet.se by Smith's Swedish record company."

― Hanna (Hanna), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:13 (twenty-one years ago)

I tried to find a Swedish Google, but all I found was a Swedish Chef Google. Not as hilarious as you'd think.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:16 (twenty-one years ago)

kenan, shut the fuck up

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:18 (twenty-one years ago)

his life story reads similar to Nick Drake.

― Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:20 (twenty-one years ago)

From the official website:

Steven Paul (Elliott) Smith. August 6, 1969 – October 21, 2003. Elliott Smith was born on August 6, 1969 in Omaha, Nebraska. Elliott spent his childhood near Dallas, Texas where he began his musical training at the age of nine, winning a local award for original composition at the age of ten.

Elliott relocated to Portland, Oregon as a Sophomore at Lincoln High School where he achieved the rank of National Merit Scholar. During his time at Lincoln High School, Elliott joined the band “Stranger Than Fiction” in which he composed music and performed until his graduation in 1987.

Elliott later attended Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, where he majored in Philosophy and Political Science. During his time at Hampshire, Elliott, known then as Elliott Stillwater-Rotter, co-founded the band “A Murder of Crows”. He later became a member of well known band “Heatmiser”. It was during this time that Elliott began to release music as a solo artist.

During his lifetime, Elliott released five full-length albums as a solo artist as well as a number of singles. Elliott was nominated for an Academy Award for “Miss Misery”, his musical contribution to the Academy Award winning movie, “Good Will Hunting”.

At the time of his death, Elliott was recording his sixth album, “From A Basement On The Hill”.

Elliott is survived by a host of family, friends and fans.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Dude holy fucking FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!!!!

This can't be real.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Sam OTM (her second to last post).

This is very sad stuff, 34 is very young.

― Allyzay, Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:26 (twenty-one years ago)

this is so sad. i'll play his music on the radio this evening, i can't think of a different tribute right now.

― joan vich (joan vich), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:26 (twenty-one years ago)

MTV has more info:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1479869/20031022/smith_elliott.jhtml?headlines=true

― TBA (TBA), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I saw him live a few years ago. Was totally stunned when he started to sing and his voice was just as sweet as it was recorded. I will miss his music.

― bnw (bnw), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:48 (twenty-one years ago)

I saw him in edinburgh a few years ago, actually. I had forgotten. it was a very good show.

― RJG (RJG), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:52 (twenty-one years ago)

I saw Elliott live so many times, in so many cities, I can't even begin to count.

We are listening to him now. The kids are listening politely. I wish I could remember which songs have curse words.

Today is a "finish all your incomplete assignments and leave me alone" teaching day.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:54 (twenty-one years ago)

That's The Royal Tenenbaums rendered less watchable, then.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Note to jokesters: not funny!

― Allyzay, Wednesday, 22 October 2003 12:56 (twenty-one years ago)

I think Andrew's on point though. I don't think I could stomach that movie anymore.

As it is I am very nauseous this morning. I wish I could have stayed home.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 13:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Andrew isn't joking though - I personally will never be able to make it through the Richie suicide scene without fucking weeping my guts out ever again.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 13:03 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm so sorry, Sam.

xpost: there is a difference between making a point and coming off flippant about it. That is all I'm going to say on thread about this because it's bad enough already that Kenan came in and pissed all over the place, per usual.

― Allyzay, Wednesday, 22 October 2003 13:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Well if you see fit to actually tell me what the fuck your problem with me is these days, you know my email address.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 13:10 (twenty-one years ago)

i was going to go as 'ritchie in the bathroom' for halloween. and ive been watching RT all week. scratch that plan.

his suicide is depressing as fuc, but i am far from shocked.

― kephm, Wednesday, 22 October 2003 13:16 (twenty-one years ago)

everybody just take your bitching and your joking someplace else please. I know it's out of character for ILx but maybe we could show some respect for a change.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 13:21 (twenty-one years ago)

um, i was a huge fan, & i am not joking. i love elliott and i love the films of wes.
i am so heartbroken this morning
(sam-if any of that was directed to me)

― kephm, Wednesday, 22 October 2003 13:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Now I'm off the phone (talking about it) the thought of someone doing this to themselves is just fucking unbearable, please RIP Elliot

― Andrew Thames (Andrew Thames), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 13:35 (twenty-one years ago)

im gonna have a drink for him tonight and try and learn something from either/or. His fansite guitar tabs are never very clear.
Anyone have a good link?

i cant stop thinking about the lou barlow party he played at. i drove my new beater escort to the gig without liscence plates. thats all i remember telling him..& that my gf had just moved down south. somehow muffins came up in our conversation.
it was an acoustic set, maybe 70 people there tops, he kept on messing up picking strings~but somehow it was perfect.

― kephm, Wednesday, 22 October 2003 13:36 (twenty-one years ago)

my comment was not directed at anyone in particular, kephm. Just everyone.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 13:37 (twenty-one years ago)

could someone post the MTV article here? MTV's blocked here at school.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 13:51 (twenty-one years ago)

As requested:

Singer/Songwriter Elliott Smith Found Dead, An Apparent Suicide
10.22.2003 9:32 AM EDT

Elliott Smith
Photo: Dreamworks

Folk-punk singer/songwriter Elliott Smith has died, an apparent suicide, according to the Los Angeles County Department of the Coroner's office. Smith's body was found in his apartment, in the Silverlake section of Los Angeles, by a female friend, who took him to a local hospital at approximately 12:18 p.m. on Tuesday.

He was pronounced dead at Los Angeles County University of Southern California Medical Center just over an hour later. He was 34.

A single knife wound that appeared to be self-inflicted was evident on the body, though police detectives are investigating the incident for foul play and/or other possibilities. No other details were available at press time.

Smith (real name Steven Paul Smith) had battled drug and alcohol addiction throughout his career. His first two albums, 1994's Roman Candle and the next year's self-titled LP for Olympia, Washington's Kill Rock Stars label, intimated these subjects with haunting, sparsely recorded acoustic songs such as "Needle in the Hay" that drew comparisons to 1960s singer/songwriter Nick Drake and Simon and Garfunkel. He reportedly cleaned up midway through his career, but the problem was believed to have escalated in recent years due to a reclusive nature and sporadic public performances.

A cornerstone of the indie-rock scene in Portland, Oregon, in the mid-1990s, Smith gained critical acclaim with 1997's Either/Or and 1998's XO, albums that best demonstrated his ability to delicately deliver poetic, emotional lyrics and beautifully dark, lush pop melodies. "Miss Misery," his contribution to the film "Good Will Hunting" that earned him an Academy Award nomination in 1997, brought mainstream recognition to the artist regarded as a figurehead of the indie-rock underground, and who influenced such artists as Bright Eyes and Dashboard Confessional.

Born August 6, 1969 in Omaha, Nebraska, Smith grew up near Dallas and took an interest in music at age 9, and began writing and recording original compositions as a teenager. He moved to Portland in high school, where he played in a local band, before attending Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Returning to Portland, he formed the alternative-rock quartet Heatmiser with future Quasi member Sam Coomes. The band released three albums and disbanded after hitting its creative stride with 1996's Mic City Sons.

While still a member of Heatmiser, Smith retreated to his basement to focus on more intimate material in vast contrast to Heatmiser's heavier sound. Roman Candle, on which he played all the instruments, was recorded on a four-track and epitomized the lo-fi DIY aesthetic while showcasing Smith's talent to craft emotive song structures that emphasized the dark themes of his lyrics.

The promise of a great songwriter was furthered on Smith's self-titled album. While keeping with an overall melancholy vibe, he concentrated on beautifying the melodies. The songs floated like lullabies, though the lyrics could disrupt sleep for weeks.

Smith continued to play all the instruments on 1997's Either/Or, while focusing on the arrangements. Dramatic constructions combine with Smith's eerily potent stripped-down fare for the album that cemented his role in the indie-folk pantheon. At the time of the LP's release, filmmaker and Portland resident Gus Van Sant used Smith's music for the soundtrack to "Good Will Hunting." Smith performed "Miss Misery," which was nominated for Best Original Song, at the Academy Awards show in April 1998. The Oscar went to Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On," from "Titanic," though simply being nominated helped his subsequent LP, 1998's XO, become Smith's best-selling album.

XO and his final album, 2000's Figure 8, both released on major-label DreamWorks Records, were marked by lush textures and acoustic melodies inspired by the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson and latter-day Beatles, that brimmed with a sunny brilliance, but still retained Smith's keen commentaries and forlorn sentiments. He had been working on a follow-up album, From a Basement on the Hill, at the time of his death (see "Elliott Smith Flying Solo On Next LP, But It Won't Sound Like It").

The limited-edition 7-inch single "Pretty (Ugly Before)" was released in August on Seattle indie Suicide Squeeze Records, and the previously unreleased songs "Splittsville" and the instrumental "Snowbunny's Serenade" appear in the film "Southlander: Diary of a Desperate Musician," directed by Silverlake resident Steve Hanft, who's helmed videos for Beck. After limited theatrical showings, the movie was released on DVD October 7.

In June, Smith performed on the second stage of the Field Day festival in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which was headlined by the Beastie Boys, Radiohead and Blur. A brief tour of the U.S. followed. He was scheduled to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Los Angeles on November 9.

—Joe D'Angelo, with additional reporting by Ryan J. Downey and Rodrigo Perez

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 13:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Thank you Ned.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 13:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Yer welcome. A friend of mine at MTV News is currently working on getting reaction from other musicians.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 13:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I was a huge fan, too. Can anyone offer an educated guess about what will happen with the tracks he had ready for his next LP? Supposedly he was shopping the next record to indie labels, but was he still under contract to Dreamworks? Who owns the rights to his most recent, unreleased material? Will it likely see the light of day?

― Aaron A., Wednesday, 22 October 2003 13:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I hate to sound hypercynical but almost certainly it will be released in some sort of form and then marketed accordingly. I was never a fan of his, to put it mildly, but those who are should probably get ready to be disgusted by the ad campaign, whatever it is.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 14:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Agreed Ned, but I was thinking along the lines of what Aaron's saying this morning. I didn't enjoy Figure 8 as much as his earlier work but was looking forward to this album.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 14:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Sam, what album(s) are you playing for your students? What do they think of the music?

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 14:12 (twenty-one years ago)

No names but have heard this morning from the partner of a indie/garage rocker whom Elliott grew close to in the past couple of years. They had recorded together recently and Elliott performed with his one of his bands. This person had been helping Elliott deal with his drug and alcohol problems and just talked to him two days ago.

Obviously his friends are crushed and say he will be dearly missed.

This person also told me they hope I don't take this too hard.

:( is so insufficeint.

(jay, I"m just playing all his songs I have on my laptop on shuffle. Heavy though on the first three. I know the kids don't like music with guitars but thankfully they realize this is important to me and aren't saying much.)

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 14:15 (twenty-one years ago)

I know it wont really be of any comfort to you Sam, but my thoughts are with you. *hugs*

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 14:25 (twenty-one years ago)

I want to give Sam a *BIG* hug. For a long time, there had been rumors concerning his well being, so now when seeing the headline on ILM, I almost freaked out pretty badly. I didn't open the thread until half an hour later. I didn't want to believe it. I still don't. It seems so ludicrous someone so immensely talented and beautiful as Eliot would off himself like that. I feel like a big baby, I don't want to cry, but it's hard not to feel more than a bit disturbed. What's even more troubling, I can't get Roman Candle out of my head now, and it's seriously making me upset. Why did it have to end like this? God bless him. RIP El

― Francis Watlington (Francis Watlington), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 14:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Not everyone seems to share in our collective grief: http://www.lostatsea.net .

― Baked Bean Teeth (Baked Bean Teeth), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 15:15 (twenty-one years ago)

It's pretty amazing that such infantilism masquerages as impassioned concern for humanity.

― Benjamin (benjamin), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 15:17 (twenty-one years ago)

masquerages? masquerades.

― Benjamin (benjamin), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 15:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Apparently, if there is pain and misery elsewhere on this planet, we're not allowed to mourn the passing of someone who had it good, relatively speaking.

Interesting take, that.

― Baked Bean Teeth (Baked Bean Teeth), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 15:21 (twenty-one years ago)

My god, that's the guiltiest white person in history.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 15:21 (twenty-one years ago)

I mean, society's belief that mental illness "isn't a proper illness" is fucking sickening, really.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 15:23 (twenty-one years ago)

It's good to remember that when something like this happens, people express their very complex feelings in different ways. You probably already know this if you've lost a family member: people act weird when they're not sure what to do with their anger or sadness, and when the loss involves a suicide, things get even harder to parse. So let's not lash out at anybody who's trying to process a terrible piece of news, even when they do so in what may seem like a strange or even distasteful manner. The link that Tim gives above can be read a number of ways - it comes off sanctimonious, but at core is only saying what many of us, I think, are wondering: "How? How the fuck could he fucking kill himself?"

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 15:23 (twenty-one years ago)

...not that I'm close to those people or anything: I really do think that their whole take is an attempt to deal with a great loss to the whole, umm, "music-lovin' community."

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 15:24 (twenty-one years ago)

"Get the fuck over yourselves. We are the fortunate. There are literally millions upon millions of people across this planet who would give anything for our lives, who would consider a day of our "problems" to be a reprieve from hell. You and I, buyers of plastic music, browsers of the Internet, consumers of mass media - we are the lucky ones. If some of us chose to live our lives without any shred of dignity, responsibility or dedication, that is indeed a shame. But if you are shedding a tear over people who have everything going for them but simply can't get their shit together, I ask you to take a fucking reality check."

Seems to me that the writer of this is assuming that those who mourn the sad, self-inflicted death of someone whose musical efforts have made our lives a better place don't have any kind of gestalt take on things, when I would be willing to wager that that simply isn't the case. Art and music matter, and I won't apologize for feeling worse about Elliott Smith's passing than I do about the horrors of Sierra Leone on this particular day.

― Baked Bean Teeth (Baked Bean Teeth), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 15:31 (twenty-one years ago)

No, of course you oughtn't! But I think it's best to view this piece as a misguided (and terribly insensitive) attempt to formulate a take on something (suicide) that always shocks us with its senselessness.

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 15:36 (twenty-one years ago)

comments like this guy's aren't even worth bothering with.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 15:37 (twenty-one years ago)

That blogger is so angry. I think he just doesn't know how to deal with the news and wants to be 'different.'

― Sarah McLUsky (coco), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 15:40 (twenty-one years ago)

it was always the best when elliott would crack a smile. all goofy face

― kephm, Wednesday, 22 October 2003 15:59 (twenty-one years ago)

I mean, society's belief that mental illness "isn't a proper illness" is fucking sickening, really.

Dom OTM

― adaml (adaml), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 16:21 (twenty-one years ago)

XO was the soundtrack to some of my lowest times, a few years back. It has since become a sweet, uplifting album. Poor fellow.

― Daniel (dancity), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 18:13 (twenty-one years ago)

One of my sources said he stabbed himself in the heart and now an AP story is confirming it was a single stab wound to the chest.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 18:29 (twenty-one years ago)

It's good to remember that when something like this happens, people express their very complex feelings in different ways...

Thank you, John. I was going to say something like that myself, but felt I'd lost the right to. I am sorry if I got a bit goofy earlier, but understand this: I had been up all night. If I try to make a little dark joke now and again, no disrespect is intended. This hurts me, too.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 18:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Don OTM seconded. Dead from depression or dead from a heart attack, you're still dead, and the people left behind mourn. This news has hit hard in our house; my condolences go out to those who knew him.

― Layna Andersen (Layna Andersen), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 18:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I never had strong feelings either way about his music, but some of my friends are taking it pretty hard, and I always feel sad when artists die young. I'd feel the same way if it were someone I admired and whose work improved the quality of my life. The value of that kind of inspiration cannot be overestimated. It's making me a little sad, just for those reasons.

― Blood and sparkles (bloodandsparkles), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 19:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Read this on the XFM website, and couldn't believe it. Naturally, he leaves a musical legacy behind. However, tis such a waste, as who knows what else he would have given the world.

Condolences to the family. Good to hear that the media are trying NOT to jump to conclusions (as XFM announcers have been saying all afternoon/evening)

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 19:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Everybody Cares, Everybody Understands is nigh on impossible to listen to at the moment.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 20:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Apparently, his girlfriend was the one to find him? So sad.

Just played mini-tribute (of sorts):

Baby Britain

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 20:34 (twenty-one years ago)

The song Everything Means Nothing To Me is bouncing around my head at the moment.

― Daniel (dancity), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 20:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Don OTM seconded. Dead from depression or dead from a heart attack, you're still dead, and the people left behind mourn.

Yeah, but when you're dead from the heart attack it's the heart to blame, simple. Die from depression, suicide, and, briefly, the mourners will blame themselves. Then they will blame you. The mourners will hate you. They will mourn still, but also they will hate you.

― Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 23:39 (twenty-one years ago)

How could you hate someone for being sick? It's like hating a person who has cancer.

My heart is broken. His music saved me from the brink before and now that he himself has fallen off. . .? I have not been able to get this off of my mind since this whole nightmare started last night. It's just unbelievable to me.

Actually I did stop and think about how many times I had seen him perform and the closest figure I could come up with was about 16. Now I realize how truly lucky, and blessed, I was.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 23:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Dom OTM thirded.
Say Yes is on at the moment.

― Matt (Matt), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 23:48 (twenty-one years ago)

How could you hate someone for being sick? It's like hating a person who has cancer.

Well, no offence, but disallowing hatred of all nasty acts also disallows love.

― Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 23:53 (twenty-one years ago)

i.e. why aren't kindness and happiness seen as disorders? Because they're certainly not normal.

― Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 23:55 (twenty-one years ago)

np: Coming Up Roses

― Girolamo Savonarola, Wednesday, 22 October 2003 23:56 (twenty-one years ago)

i really don't follow you at all eyeball.

np: ballad of big nothing

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 23:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Sam, I was thinking of you lots today and how brave it was for you to be in front of your kids today. Even though you may not have had much of a choice about whether to be there or not, you shared this incredible passion and memory with them. A few of them at least will remember it.

― teeny (teeny), Wednesday, 22 October 2003 23:57 (twenty-one years ago)

That's possibly the best point I've ever heard made on ILE.

― Matt (Matt), Thursday, 23 October 2003 00:01 (twenty-one years ago)

bleh. .staying home and sitting by yrself will make you crazy. A few of them were generally interested and when I had no CD covers to show them I googled some stuff on line and they crowded around my laptop. I didn't say how he died unless they asked. Inevitably when they did ask and I told, somebody would tell me about some awful thing in their family . . uncle shooting self in front of kids, drunken brother pointing gun at student, mother od'ing. These kids never fail to remind me how easy it is to underestimate their maturity. In my old(er) age, I tend to forget the great capacity for pain held by the young.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Thursday, 23 October 2003 00:06 (twenty-one years ago)

I only have an extremely vague notion of who he was, but hearing about this and reading some of your reactions to it is heartbreaking.
Sam, I hope you're doing okay.

― oops (Oops), Thursday, 23 October 2003 00:11 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm terribly sorry to hear of elliott smith's suicide. i wasn't a fan of his but thought every one of the few songs i did hear of his were beautiful & lush. i realize now that suicide is totally the wrong thing to do, but i can't fault him for doing what he did. who knows what resides inside the minds of the mentally far-gone? sometimes the nightmare's too hard to take, you know?

sam, you're a beautiful person inside & out & i wish i could be there physically to help you out through this trying time. *tight & long hugs*

― ann onny mouse, Thursday, 23 October 2003 00:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Sam roxors. She always does.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 23 October 2003 00:17 (twenty-one years ago)

ah, "Coming Up Roses" and "Ballad of Big Nothing", my two favorite Smith songs. The latter, live, with the Quasi girl on drums = my favorite live music experience ever

― Aaron A., Thursday, 23 October 2003 00:43 (twenty-one years ago)

I wish I had a scanner. I have tons of good pics of Elliott and Quasi together. Either/Or is my favorite of his albums.

(btw, you are all v. sweet folx)

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Thursday, 23 October 2003 00:48 (twenty-one years ago)

"Actually I did stop and think about how many times I had seen him perform and the closest figure I could come up with was about 16. Now I realize how truly lucky, and blessed, I was."

Yeah, you are. I never had the chance and he was one of the only artists I pledged I would see perform before calling it a lifetime.

― Francis Watlington (Francis Watlington), Thursday, 23 October 2003 01:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I think I saw him once at the Pink Pony on Ludlow Street many many years ago, and he seemed like a decent, regular guy. It's a very sad thing, whether you like his music or not.

― hstencil, Thursday, 23 October 2003 01:40 (twenty-one years ago)

me too, francis. i unfortunately never went when i had the chance, and will regret it for quite some time.

― Emilymv (Emilymv), Thursday, 23 October 2003 06:00 (twenty-one years ago)

i am totally glad i got to see him play, especially when i did (around the release of XO). one of the best shows i've seen, and i knew every word.

― the surface noise (electricsound), Thursday, 23 October 2003 06:06 (twenty-one years ago)

RIP

― David. (Cozen), Thursday, 23 October 2003 08:17 (twenty-one years ago)

On the way to school today I sang along to Either/Or and enjoyed the hopefulness and feelings of change the songs invoke in me.

Also, everytime my thoughts return to where they were yesterday, the image of him in his last moments and how he must have felt, I'm forcing them back to happy memories like sharing a joint with him or watching him play. Today will be a better day.

I won't subject my kids to him again but I'm not ready for hip-hop. Today we're listening to Miles Davis.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Thursday, 23 October 2003 12:01 (twenty-one years ago)

A good link I was just sent with thoughts from his peers and word on what might become of his unreleased stuff:

http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2008549

I suppose it would be good for ILM but Edgar Allen Poe awaits me. . .

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Thursday, 23 October 2003 16:49 (twenty-one years ago)

There is a post on the Velvet Rope today from someone who said that they heard that Elliott and his girlfriend had a big argument in her apartment, and that he stabbed himself after she left. She discovered him dead when she returned. If true, this sheds a new light on what might have been going through his mind at the time; sounds like more of a spur-of-the-moment thing.

― Baked Bean Teeth (Baked Bean Teeth), Thursday, 23 October 2003 17:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Feller on the Walkabouts mailing list just sent along this link to a lengthy interview done with him back in March. I thought I would share, seeing as there are more fans of him here -- and more deeply passionate ones -- than I thought. Please be warned that the headline of the story is extremely but unintentionally cruel, after the fact:

http://www.undertheradarmag.com/es.html

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 23 October 2003 21:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Thanks Ned, that was a wonderful article.

Damn.

I was digging through a box of Elliott photos and found something I had completely forgotten about. Once in Austin, I had bought a ticket for his show well in advance but when I got to the venue discovered I had been guest-listed. So as my friend and I left the venue to go get a drink these two little hippie kids asked if we had a spare ticket (it was sold out). I said sure and gave her mine. She asked how much I wanted and I said, forget about it, enjoy the show. She thanked me and then reached into this little pouch around her neck (hippies!) and gave me a little rock she called a Tiger Eye for luck or something. I thought it was a bit odd but sweet.

anyway really nothing to do with him just an odd little memory I had forgotten about. Maybe I'll make a charm out of this rock or something.

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Friday, 24 October 2003 01:08 (twenty-one years ago)

A link to photos of the impromptu memorial site in LA:

http://radio.weblogs.com/0111734/images/elliottmemorial/

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 24 October 2003 05:01 (twenty-one years ago)

two weeks pass...

a link to lou barlows website

http://www.loobiecore.com/elliottsmith.html

― kephm, Thursday, 13 November 2003 19:28 (twenty-one years ago)

bump

― kephm, Thursday, 13 November 2003 19:30 (twenty-one years ago)

apologies for interrupting the good vibes and memories of elliott smith...

but LOOBIECORE.COM?

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 13 November 2003 21:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Lou Barlow = loobie to his friends, I guess.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Thursday, 13 November 2003 21:11 (twenty-one years ago)

yes. lou is sort of an oddball (most obv thing ive written in ilx)
you think thats funny, go see his cat gallery! and the sebado are on tour!

― kephm, Thursday, 13 November 2003 21:32 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm a little surprised no other speculation, news, or rumours have surfaced about any of this since. How long before the Rolling STone expose on his tortured final days?

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Thursday, 13 November 2003 22:24 (twenty-one years ago)

the obit is in the jessica simpson issue. :(

― teeny (teeny), Thursday, 13 November 2003 23:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah I was highly disappointed that RS couldn't even bother to put his name on the front cover instead they Jessica Simpson's bitch ass *SWIFFERING*!!! WTF???

But then what do you expect from a magazine who wouldn't even put Johnny Fucking Cash's picture on the cover when he died. Motherfuckers.

Here's part 1 of my elliott memorial tattoo. It involves a roman candle with the stripe pattern from "Figure 8" punching a hole through a heart (mine) and has "XO" on the bottom. We're laying the color in two weeks from now. . .

(sorry for the blurry picture. hard taking a pic of yr own upper arm)

tat

― A Girl Named Sam (thatgirl), Friday, 14 November 2003 06:14 (twenty-one years ago)

actually this week's Time Out New York has a story, with the bullshit cover line "the last days of Elliott Smith." Ugh, exploitation city.

― hstencil, Friday, 14 November 2003 06:24 (twenty-one years ago)

It's great, Sam

― luna (luna.c), Friday, 14 November 2003 06:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Sam it looks great, can't wait to see the finished article!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Friday, 14 November 2003 09:14 (twenty-one years ago)

i thought johnny cash did get the RS cover after he passed away? i don't pay enough attention to RS to be sure.

― kephm, Friday, 14 November 2003 16:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Looks awesome sam, can't wait to see the finished piece.

― Chris B. Sure (Chris V), Friday, 14 November 2003 16:24 (twenty-one years ago)

He got the cover of Time, I think.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 14 November 2003 16:48 (twenty-one years ago)

That is an awesome tatoo, Sam.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Friday, 14 November 2003 17:18 (twenty-one years ago)

one month passes...

Hmmmm?

― Chris 'Knuckle Deep' V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 31 December 2003 17:46 (twenty-one years ago)

That makes sense to me. It always seemed like the most painful suicide method ever.

― dean gulberry (deangulberry), Wednesday, 31 December 2003 18:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh god.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Wednesday, 31 December 2003 18:14 (twenty-one years ago)

― Viva La Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 31 December 2003 18:15 (twenty-one years ago)

in all honesty who would want to murder poor elliott? jesus.

― Chris 'Knuckle Deep' V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 31 December 2003 18:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, if he was half as involved with drugs and drug dealers as he appeared to be and was notorious for, that opens up quite a few possibilities right there...

― dean gulberry (deangulberry), Wednesday, 31 December 2003 18:16 (twenty-one years ago)

I would imagine the girlfriend is suspect number one since the person closest is ALWAYS the first suspect in these cases (I should say I don't know her or anything about her so I'm not suggesting anything).

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Wednesday, 31 December 2003 18:28 (twenty-one years ago)

I wouldn't jump to any conclusions... he was seriously messed up and it was most likely a suicide based on his history, recent behavior, etc. The coroner is just saying that whether he did it himself is inconclusive.

― Aaron W (Aaron W), Wednesday, 31 December 2003 18:54 (twenty-one years ago)

I read on some blog a few days ago that a woman had stabbed him. At the time, I figured it was just typical blog misinformation and now I can't find it again.

― BrianB (BrianB), Wednesday, 31 December 2003 18:58 (twenty-one years ago)

i believe had been clean for awhile before his death. the cornors report also noted no presence of illegal substances.

I truly think this was an accident. i think he did stab himself but it was in the heat of the moment. Not pre-meditated. Unfortunately, it was also accurate. :(

― Viva La Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 31 December 2003 19:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Weren't there two stab wounds though?

― Melissa W (Melissa W), Wednesday, 31 December 2003 19:24 (twenty-one years ago)

so it took him two tries?

apparently he and his girlfriend where having a huge fight directly before his death. She left the house and went to the corner for some cigarettes and then came home and found him.

I really think it was a distraught, horrible mistake on his part.

― Viva La Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 31 December 2003 19:25 (twenty-one years ago)

i just hate this. The uncertainity. The waste. especially if it was as my instincts say, an accident. goddamnit. . .

I've been thinking of alot the past week or so anyway. What a bad year. :(

http://i.myspace.com/81/25/15218/2146059_m.jpg

(hope that worked)

― Viva La Sam (thatgirl), Wednesday, 31 December 2003 19:31 (twenty-one years ago)

two months pass...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/fridayreview/story/0,12102,1172275,00.html

― Japanese Giraffe (Japanese Giraffe), Friday, 19 March 2004 13:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Never lost for an opinion, Courtney Love called it "the best suicide I ever heard of".

― Kingfish Cowboy (Kingfish), Friday, 19 March 2004 13:51 (twenty-one years ago)

I remember this thread.

― RJG (RJG), Friday, 19 March 2004 13:52 (twenty-one years ago)

You are not alone. And the story...is unsettling.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 19 March 2004 18:01 (twenty-one years ago)

with comments like that you'd think courtney had forgotten about that guy she was married to back in the 90's.

― dyson (dyson), Friday, 19 March 2004 18:06 (twenty-one years ago)

it's unfortunate people are so desparate for a story here. let him rest in peace.

yesterday they were interviewing Olivia Harrison on Fresh Air and I found myself wondering if Elliott listened to NPR then I remembered. . .

― Ask For Samantha (thatgirl), Friday, 19 March 2004 18:13 (twenty-one years ago)

That story makes me feel woozy.

― Ally C (Ally C), Friday, 19 March 2004 18:44 (twenty-one years ago)

eleven years pass...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnEcbDTXu90

― PaulTMA, Monday, 17 August 2015 18:06 (nine years ago)

six years pass...

picked up the s/t remaster today. it's so much more clear and wide, if a little too loud. beautiful disc booklet...!

― maelin, Sunday, 26 December 2021 17:11 (three years ago)

whoops thought this was ILM

― maelin, Sunday, 26 December 2021 17:11 (three years ago)

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