[Obit] Forry Ackerman is Dead, Alas

[khaosworks]

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.