Maya Angelou dies at age 86

From Abrahan:

RIP Dr. Maya Angelou April 4, 1928 - May 28, 2014

Morrissey tapped her for the Meltdown Fest in 2004.

Excerpt from Spotlight: Morrissey, 25 Years On by Len Brown - MusicOMH, Aug. 2009:

Back in 2004, when he curated the Meltdown Festival at London’s Royal Festival Hall, Morrissey had approached the great black American writer Maya Angelou to appear. He’s featured her poem No No No No on the soundtrack before his solo shows at the end of the Millennium.

So, maybe, the title of his new album has been inspired by Angelou’s famous poem Refusal, which ends with the moving lines:

“I defy my body’s haste. Without the promise, Of one more sweet encounter, I will not deign to die.”


​

 

[Sven68]

R.I.P. Maya...

I uploaded "No No No No" on my tumblr.

 

[CrystalGeezer]

Lying, thinking
Last night
How to find my soul a home
Where water is not thirsty
And bread loaf is not stone
I came up with one thing
And I don't believe I'm wrong
That nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.

Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.

There are some millionaires
With money they can't use
Their wives run round like banshees
Their children sing the blues
They've got expensive doctors
To cure their hearts of stone.
But nobody
No, nobody
Can make it out here alone.

Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.

Now if you listen closely
I'll tell you what I know
Storm clouds are gathering
The wind is gonna blow
The race of man is suffering
And I can hear the moan,
'Cause nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.

Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.

Maya Angelou

 

[VivaGil]

I had the pleasure of being able to see Maya speak at my university a couple years ago and it was just a fantastic talk she had. She provided much insight into herself as a person and what she'd gone through and it changed me I know for the better. I take great pleasure in having been there for that. It's a shame many people never got that chance.

 

[CrystalGeezer]

Look at the backdrop tonight at the Ryman. Love it.

 

[Tibby]

R.I.P. Maya

 

[docinwestchester]

David Wild ‏@Wildaboutmusic 20m
At @TheRyman, #Morrissey just asked, "Why was this woman never elected President?l pic.twitter.com/FlFplFZAbF

 

[hand in glove]

Look at the backdrop tonight at the Ryman. Love it.

Wow.

That's truly amazing.

 

[celibate]

Godspeed Maya Angelou

 

[AztecCamera]

I thought Morrissey didn't like black people? Guess not.

 

[rivum]

I thought Morrissey didn't like black people? Guess not.

this might just be the most ridiculous comment i've seen on here...
and there have been many in the running!

 

[Anonymous]

LOUDER THAN BOMBS?

From Amazing Peace by Maya Angelou

"...
n our joy, we think we hear a whisper.
At first it is too soft. Then only half heard.
We listen carefully as it gathers strength.
We hear a sweetness.
The word is Peace.
It is loud now. It is louder.
Louder than the explosion of bombs.

..."

 

[Anonymous]

this might just be the most ridiculous comment i've seen on here...
and there have been many in the running!

I feel this sentiment, which was believed by more than a few people, all stems from his one-time comment that "reggae is vile" and no other possible reason.

 

[Anonymous]

God rest her precious soul.