RIP Michael Corcoran

[Hornius Emeritus 12332]

Michael Corcoran has died. He was a one-of-a-kind music critic for decades here in Austin, a gadfly in the best sense of the word. He knew everybody and everything about everybody. He was a badass that even to be an object of his scorn was somehow special.  I saw him at a Shinyribs show in early May but I spoke with him on the phone less than two weeks ago when he called to tell me that he'd heard Jewel Brown was ailing. He was also a scholar: his books "All Over the Map" and "Ghost Notes"  are two of the best books ever written about Texas music. I crib from them for Traces of Texas all the time, shamelessly. I told him so and he said "I wouldn't have it any other way."   He was just about to finish a third one about Austin music history. It was to be published in early September. His essays on all manner of Texas music were definitive. One of my readers said that, when somebody dies, we lose a library. With Michael's death, we're losing not just a library but a museum. 

I am heartbroken. Damn. RIP Corky.

 

[Mr. Blutarsky 133]

No one has ever chronicled the Austin music scene better. His love of music was obvious and spanned the spectrum of all genres. His loss is huge for Austin.

[TwiceHorn 30834]

Had to look, he was 68 and probably in generally poor health. Seems like maybe he was just coming into his own when I was there, mid- to late-80s.

But yeah, he just fit with the Austin ouevre in a way not many writers did.

RIP.

[CooterBrown 17725]

Even if you found Corcoran to be a bit smug in his writing, you never missed a column. He was a master at his craft and knew everything about Austin music.  There's no one left to fill that void.  Just another nail in the coffin of the Austin music scene.

 

[jimmyjazz 45162]

My best Corky story has been told before, but that's never stopped me:

I was a volunteer for SXSW 2, working for Margaret Moser on "security".  (If you know me in real life you know how comical that is.)  I had the brilliant idea that we should provide sober rides for festival attendees, so Margaret got Louis Black (asshole) on board, and he told me to rent a Chevy van.  I did.  I drove that thing all over town for 4 straight nights, and I typically only had one passenger at any given time -- Corky.  He was pretty much continuously hammered, but a whole lot of fun to hang out with.  I don't think he ever got my name right.

Edited July 8 by jimmyjazz

[Hornius Emeritus 12332]

There will be a memorial service for him at Antone's on Monday, July 15th. Doors open at 1:30. Service at 2:00 p.m. Music at 4:00 p.m.

 

[DalTxHornFan 3070]

Late to the show here, but thought he was terrific talent and perfect for the Austin music scene.  RIP.

This piece has some good quotes from him.

https://austin.towers.net/michael-corcoran-never-stopped-believing-in-sixth-street/?pro=jude@towers.net

Michael Corcoran Never Stopped Believing in Sixth Street

Edited July 11 by DalTxHornFan

[horn4life 3748]

I got here in 1979 and he became as much of the music scene in Austin as the music itself over time.  Hell he just retired recently too.  I am pretty sure I was standing next to him at the Soulhat reunion show at Antones last fall.  

RIP you had a good run! 

Here is his Black Cat recollections https://michaelcorcoran.substack.com/p/clubland-paradise-black-cat-lounge

Edited July 12 by horn4life

[yoladu 4044]

That is a bummer. never met him personally, but saw him in clubs many many times in the late 80s and 90s.

He always look hammered or hungover - was just the way it was.

His articles in the Chronicle (or maybe it was the Stateman - memories fade) during that time where must reading.

Edited July 13 by yoladu

[CooterBrown 17725]

Is there even a relevant music venue left on Dirty Sixth?  Everything is on Red River or the east side.  Once developers finally make inroads on Red River, that's probably it for the Austin music scene.

 

[Carl Spackler 3456]

Sad news.  I read many of his columns and reviews (particularly when I was living in Austin), and generally enjoyed his writing.  68 is too damn young.    

[Wally Pryor 5201]

Great grasp on the local music scene. The gossip column thing for the Statesman was bizarre. 

Corcoran had some interesting lists.

https://michaelcorcoran.substack.com/p/five-greatest-austin-bands-of-all

[jimmyjazz 45162]

Somebody more astute than I should dig up his bit about new names for Zeitgeist (which became The Reivers).  I think one name was something like "No, We Never Did It, OK Maybe Once In The Van On Tour".

Well, funnier than I wrote it.

[Hornius Emeritus 12332]

Just got back from the memorial. It was packed. Great tributes, great stories and fantastic music.

[texasdago 7389]

On 7/13/2024 at 4:33 PM, CooterBrown said:

Is there even a relevant music venue left on Dirty Sixth?  Everything is on Red River or the east side.  Once developers finally make inroads on Red River, that's probably it for the Austin music scene.

 

I don't even think of 6th for music... to me it is Red River.  Hope they won't screw it up but, that said, the scene will move and evolve.  The east side scene is growing.  It will shift.  For now, I love Red River...  go support live music this weekend.