Mudbone's gone....

December 1st, 1940. Peoria, Illinois.

God created the funniest man to grace the planet Earth.

Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor.

If you never got the chance to see Richard live, you missed out on one of the most life-altering experinces to grace the world today. You see, Richard was much more than a comedian.

He was a visionary.

He was a storyteller. And oh, the stories he would tell. He could take you to wherever he was at, and make you see it with just words. You would believe you were standing right next to him witnessing whatever event he was speaking on. Richard could do that. And then, he could take the saddest, most tragic story and transform it into something wonderful.

He would make you laugh about it.

Yes, he would.

In the face of tragedy, of utter despair, Richard Pryor could make you laugh. Not giggle. Laugh. Laugh so hard, you had stomach cramps. Laugh so long, you couldn't catch your breath. Some have stated they didn't know what was worst: taking a gut shot from Muhammed Ali or Richard Pryor on a roll. It has been agreed upon that both would knock you down to one knee, at least.

Richard could make you cry, be angry and laugh at the same time. Physically, this should be impossible, but for Richard - it was easy. Too easy. It led him on a self-destructive path with us in the passenger seat. And when we thought all was finally at peace with the funniest man alive, God dealt a cruel hand.

Richard Pryor had MS.

And, still he was funny. And poignant. And relevant. And real.

He could act. I mean, "straight" roles. Like, "Lady Sings The Blues". Don't ever take his humor for lack of sense. Richard was the epitome of talent and the epicenter of common sense. And now the world is a much sadder place. It's like someone took a part of every human being's funny bone and shortened it just a little.

I would say more but what else needs to be said?

Our brother has left us. Our brother is gone.

Richard Pryor died December 10th, 2005, just days after his 65th birthday. I can hear him now - "Okay, God - what? Didn't want me to get that SS check after all, huh?"
Mudbone is gone.

He died with a smile on his face.