It is getting really difficult to write about people dying. Especially this week. My friend Otis Clay passed away on Saturday. A nicer person cannot be found. Warm, friendly and humble, Otis walked through the world with a smile on his face and a good word for everyone. A fabulous singer, he infused every one of his shows with great performance and show biz moments.
The last time I saw Otis was at a book signing event for our soul food book in December. We did not have a large budget for entertainment, but knew that Otis was the perfect choice. We told him what we could pay him, and he immediately said yes. The night of the event, Otis appeared with full band- backup singers-horns. The whole show. He must have lost money on the deal, but he wanted to put on a great show. That was his last performance in the Chicago area.
He will be sorely missed by any one that appreciates great music and show biz move!
Another person that passed away this week was someone who I never met, but greatly admired. Haskell Wexler was a Chicago film maker and cinematographer. In 1969, he made his first film, the Chicago based film “Medium Cool.” Centered around the 1968 Democratic convention, it opened with a scene that is forever burned into my brain. The protagonist, a news cameraman, is driving home from work in the early morning, He happens upon a one car wreck on the highway and pulls over. He sees people dying in the wreckage. He has a choice- help the people or film the wreck for the news. He films it- then calls it in to the station!
He went on to become the cinematographer for “Days of Heaven,” “In the Heat of the Night,” “American Grafitti,” and “Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Wolf,” among others.
Both of these guys, giants in their fields, will be sorely missed!