[Obit] Forry Ackerman is Dead, Alas
Dec. 5th, 2008 08:24 pm( Forrest J Ackerman, 1916-2008 )
It all began October 1926 when a little nine-year-old me was standing in front of a newsstand and the Hugo Gernsback magazine "Amazing Stories" jumped off the newsstand, grabbed hold of me and - most people are too young to know, but in those days magazines spoke - and that one said "take me home little boy. You will love me!" And everything grew from that.
My only encounter with Forry was eight years ago at Chicon 2000. I was in the Dealer's Room browsing (as you do) when I saw someone passing by out of the corner of my eye. I turned to give him room, and there he was - I recognised him from photos I'd seen before and was dumbstruck: here was Forrest J. Ackerman! The Forrest J Ackerman!
He looked at me, smiling, I stared back goggle-eyed at him, and the moment must have gone on a tad too long, because he then broke it by extending his hand and offering me a copy of his newsletter. I took it and finally had the presence of mind to stammer out a request for his autograph, which he graciously gave.
That incident (along with an encounter with Harry Harrison in the Green Room) prompted the writing of my signature song, Fanboy Soul.
My only encounter with Forry was eight years ago at Chicon 2000. I was in the Dealer's Room browsing (as you do) when I saw someone passing by out of the corner of my eye. I turned to give him room, and there he was - I recognised him from photos I'd seen before and was dumbstruck: here was Forrest J. Ackerman! The Forrest J Ackerman!
He looked at me, smiling, I stared back goggle-eyed at him, and the moment must have gone on a tad too long, because he then broke it by extending his hand and offering me a copy of his newsletter. I took it and finally had the presence of mind to stammer out a request for his autograph, which he graciously gave.
That incident (along with an encounter with Harry Harrison in the Green Room) prompted the writing of my signature song, Fanboy Soul.