On January 15th,2015, famous L.A. producer, songwriter Kim Fowley passed away at the age of 75 after a long battle with bladder cancer. Fowley had been struggling with health problems over the past years and was bed bound for several months.
Fowley, well known for his work with all-girl rockers, The Runaways, had been keeping friends and fans updated through his Facebook page. His wife, Kara Wright, survives Fowley and she is not alone in mourning the loss of such an influential music figure.
LA Weekly, Ariel Pink, and Sky Ferria have all issued fond statements about Fowley.
For all his success, those who came in contact with Fowley in recent years will remember the man himself maybe even more than his music. He was our city’s most iconic eccentric, a character of impressive stature and presence, with a love of subversive nightlife and envelope-pushing art and ideas. His gaudy suits and weird makeup made an impression wherever he went, but whenever he spoke, his thoughts and ideas about music, sex, fame and people in general were always uncensored, inimitable and captivating. Just like the man himself. – LA Weekly
“No words. prayers go out to his wife, kara. his music, life, and spirit will continue to be an inspiration,” –Ariel Pink
Pink worked with Fowley on his own album Pom Pom in 2014.
“I’m super bummed about the one & only Kim Fowley. He was the first person I almost worked with when I was 14 & he had green hair.” – Sky Ferreira
Other artists who have paid tribute to Fowley since his death include The Twlight Sad, Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue, Har Mar Superstar, No Age and Blondie drummer Clem Burke. NME has compiled a list of some statements from these groups and individuals.
Despite the statements, this isn’t the last we’ll hear of Fowley. The second portion of his autobiography, titled “Planet Pain”, will be released posthumously.
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