You Can't Make This Stuff Up

This morning, Richie looked up from the LA Times and said, "Bad news... for you." I looked inquiringly at him and he continued,"Sky Saxon, founder and lead singer for The Seeds, died in an Austin hospital." (Alert readers will recognize the name from a previous column about my rock'n roll days.)

Of course the irony didn't escape me and I roared with laughter at this line, "He had been planning to perform this summer with the California '66 Revue, a tour featuring a line-up of California bands from the 1960s."

I went to his Web site (skysaxon.com) and read with interest: "Sky Sunshine Saxon passed over to be with Ya Ho Wha on 6/25/09 at 9:10 a.m. Sabrina Saxon and Joshua Aquarian Saxon were at his side. He passed peacefully and with no pain."

Right next to that, I read: "Donate to help with cremation and other expenses due to this unexpected crisis." There were little signs showing that Visa, American Express, Master Charge and (I seem to remember) Diner's Club cards would be accepted.

Since the paper stated that his ashes will be spread in Hawaii, I had to wonder if "other expenses" might include a pair of 1st class tickets to Hawaii...

Photos of Sky, in his later years, were not exactly flattering. He sported a ratty-looking beard and straggly, long hair. A trip to the barbershop would have benefited him greatly.

Joshua Aquarian Saxon was listed elsewhere as "his spiritual brother in Ya Ho Wha." The photos of Sky and wife Sabrina showed her to be a well-fed, friendly-faced woman.

Cause of death (according to a spokesperson) was heart and kidney failure after an "undiagnosed infection of his internal organs."

Having up-staged both Farrah Fawcett and Sky Saxon, I can imagine that Michael Jackson was greeted rather coolly by some of the inhabitants of Heaven. RIP all of you.