Dirk Dirksen, Punk Rock Promoter, RIP

Over at Idolator, my hungover interest was defibrillated back to life after a weekend of socially lubricated excess by the headline "The Most Entertaining Music-Biz Obit You'll Read All Day..." referencing the obituary of San Francisco punk promoter Dirk Dirksen, who presented such acts as the Dead Kennedys, Devo, The Ramones, Black Flag and the Go-Go's.

Mr. Dirksen, who called himself "the pope of punk," was known for peppering audiences and performers alike with abuse and insults.

"I'm sorry to see you're that easily pleased," he told the crowd at the end of one band's performance. "You should try and show some intelligence and sophistication and not just accept any slop that's thrown in your trough."

He turned to the musicians, who were trying to stalk off the stage, thinking he was not going to let the band have an encore.

"I'll give you one," he said, "but only because the next group is an absolute pimple in the armpit of progress. Now everybody, please pay attention because it's time to play 'People Are Stupid.' "

What better summary of the entire punk rock movement than sneering contempt of your audience's intelligence? We need less oily, obsequious promoters in rock and more taut, quivering middle digits jabbed accusingly at the audience, to keep everyone honest.

The Most Entertaining Music-Biz Obit You'll Read All Day [Idolator]