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Dan Freiberg's avatar

I always wished I were more like Jon Carroll—to have the energy, the drive to go all those places, change from one absorbing job to another. The discipline, the skill, the hard, grinding work to produce every day a column, rich in narrative, disparate subjects, and humor. I especially enjoyed his thoughts on mondegreens and cats.

And, no small thing, he would always reply to any comment or question I had. For me, some insight to his character. The world is a better place with Jon Carroll in it.

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Nancy Friedman's avatar

What a lovely tribute, Dan. I’ll share your comment with Jon

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Quentin Hardy's avatar

Nice piece.

As I say to my children, "I'd like to thank Current Events for taking some of the sting out of the prospect of dying."

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Andrea Behr's avatar

if memory does not fail me (and it often does) most of Jon’s run was five days a week. I remember a reader writing in to say that a certain column was his worst one of the week, and Jon pointing out that one of them always was.

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Nancy Friedman's avatar

I should have checked with you, Andy!

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Jonathon GREEN's avatar

Nancy, May I ask: is that Jon Carroll of (to look back even further), Rolling Stone. If so I knew him way back, when he was visiting London in early 70s and made his way to counter-cultural press of the time. Please give himn my very best if it is. And of course to you too come what may.

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Nancy Friedman's avatar

Yes, one and the same. Rolling Stone is mentioned in the Oldster intro, along with other publications Jon worked for.

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Jonathon GREEN's avatar

Cool, We did have a brief chat some years ago, but then went our separate ways. That cross-Atlantic mingling of those of us who 'met' via the Underground Press Syndicate was a wonderful thing.

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