The first time I read Hunter S. Thompson, I was only vaguely aware of his influence and even less aware of his talent. In my mind, he was a larger-than-life character who successfully drank and drugged his way through all his stories and managed to become famous for it. But 10 pages into Songs of the Doomed: More Notes on the Death of the American Dream — a collection given to me by a friend who assumed I was already a fan — I was both intrigued and utterly incredulous. Is this guy for real? I remember thinking, not knowing then that Thompson's writings were one part truth, one part invention, and all parts entertaining. His untamed, stream-of-consciousness writing style and vivid verbiage was the sort I was drawn to as an alternative journalist, and I soon came to love his utterly unique voice and candid delivery. Not until later, when I read William McKeen's new bio, Outlaw Journalist, did I truly begin to comprehend the scale of his genius. This Friday, I'll be nabbing a ticket to Hunter S. Thompson Night at Beach Theatre. The featured selections are Alex Gibney's new critically-acclaimed doc on Thompson's life, Gonzo, and the cult classic Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Fri., Sept. 5 and 19, Gonzo at 8 p.m., Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas at 10:30 p.m., 315 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach, $7 per film/$10 both, 727-360-6697, beachtheatre.com.
This article appears in Sep 3-9, 2008.