Originally Posted by
mapleleafs-13
The reason i'm posting this here is because i was a fan of his work. He was a very big avid cyclist. Owned many bicycles including some of the Colnago Stash's and Futura's. He collected and rode bicycles, he was one of "us".
Indeed he was one of "us". He was not any sort of celebrity "Fred". He struggled to become a very competent cyclist — apparently (aside from his inherent love of the sport) in an effort to buttress his struggle against the afflictions that finally overtook him.
The word "genius" has been overused and misapplied. In the case of the late Mr Williams, it is significantly applicable. He straddled a new consciousness in the English speaking world. And because of the kinaesthetic nature of his work, he could transcend the grammar of language and translate his humour to other cultures and languages around the globe.
Very roughly at the same time as the greats of British comedy were
not being fully appreciated by the North American public, (Tony Hancock, Peter Sellers, ‘Spike’ Milligan, John Cleese etc) the greats of modern, American comedy were also part of a cosmopolitan change in thinking, attitude and language. The likes of Jonathan Winters, Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, and George Carlin were on the leading edge of a new consciousness. Williams was influenced by most, if not all of the above. He carried the baton to the next act.
Anyone who is old enough to have watched the "live" performances of the Winters-Williams, extemporized performances on Johnny Carson's “Tonight” TV show will never forget the experience. It is still marvellous to watch them via the archive. But for those of our membership who were not yet born, please be advised that these moments were transformative. They became legendary. At the same time, and quite ironically, these ephemeral seconds and minutes may have appeared to some people as trivial antics recorded on video tape. But, not for the first time over recent centuries, such playful, poignant moments became part of a new language shared by millions across the world.
As we cycle on, we will remember how Robin Williams revered life, love and language. From now on, there may not be a ride when I do not remember that wry smile.
A personal addenda: suicide and the love of life are not mutually exclusive. They derive from the same source. The act of living and the deliberate act of dying inexplicably diverge. For more is the pity and grief.