Kurt Vonnegut died last night, at the age of 84; he suffered brain injuries after falling in his Manhattan apartment a few weeks ago. In addition to writing numerous novels, plays and critical essay, Vonnegut had several musical connections: Elvis Costello’s 1982 hit “Man Out Of Time” was drawn in part from Slaughterhouse-Five; soft-rockers Ambrosia used lines from Cat’s Cradle in the song “Nice, Nice, Very Nice,” earning Vonnegut a co-writing credit; and he once designed a mock album cover for Phish. R.I.P.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions – Man Out Of Time [MP3, link expired]
Ambrosia – Nice, Nice, Very Nice [MP3, link expired]
Novelist Kurt Vonnegut dies at 84 [CNN.com]
So it goes.
*sigh.
Surely you did not mean to overlook one of the most important musical connection of all. Naturally, I speak of Joe Satriani’s “Ice Nine.” Because if Vonnegut’s work was about anything, it was about chillingly flanged power chords and wicked pick-to-fretboard tapping.