Chris Runyan, my longtime good friend and bandmate, passed away last night.
Chris was the most creatively gifted person I have ever known -- equal parts musician, writer, and artist.
His guitar playing would sometimes literally take my breath away. His paintings continue to move me -- mysterious, ironic, enigmatic -- unafraid of confronting ideas and social commentary.
My life has been far richer for having met and known him.
~/~
A Chris Runyan Sampler:
Here are some shots of the Malls, and a few digital scans of some of Chris' paintings. The scans don't do his artwork justice. The colors really pop in the paintings, and much of the texture and attention to detail cannot be seen.
The Malls. Live at the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville. April 1980.
[Left to right: Patrick Hollingsworth (bass), Tom Cochran (drums), Terry Wright (vocals), Chris Runyan (guitar, vocals).]
The Malls. Live at the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville. April 1980.
[Left to right: Pia Zadora (marquee girl found behind a liquor store), Stanley Lancaster (keyboards, vocals).]
The Malls. Live at the U-Ark Theater. Fayetteville. Halloween 1980.
[Left to right: Patrick Hollingsworth (bass), Terry Wright (sweaty back, vocals), Chris Runyan (guitar, vocals).]
Malls Flyer. Drawing and design by Chris Runyan. September 1980.
The Awful Truth by Chris Runyan
The Realm of Envy by Chris Runyan
The Insignificance of Conformity by Chris Runyan
Backyard #1 by Chris Runyan
Peace by Chris Runyan
The Right Allies by Chris Runyan
4 comments:
so sorry for your loss...
I had no idea! How sad. Deepest sympathy.
Terry,
Tom called me last night to tell me about Chris.Our friendship was launched at a Malls practice at the Alley Art Shop. Been many years, but I still remember the great presence that was Chris and the Malls. Wish I could be there on Thursday.
Mike Luster
I heard about this yesterday and thought back to all the great shows I got to see The Malls play back on Dickson. He made my life richer. Sorry to hear.
--Sean
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