Tucson artist and friend to many of us (and former Phantom Limbs drummer) Howard Salmon died early this morning, finally succumbing to the brain cancer he fought so hard for almost two years.
The funeral is this Sunday, Aug. 10, at Temple Emanu-El, 225 N Country Club Road, 10 a.m. followed by a burial service at Evergreen, 3015 N. Oracle Road. The family will be observing shiva for seven days. In Judaism, this is the week-long traditional mourning period for relatives and close friends. I was told those close to Salmon who may want to participate and visit with his family should call to find out what time they are taking visitors. It’s customary to bring food to the family during this time.
Back in October 2012, we mentioned a Facebook status Salmon had just posted on his prognosis—the doctor telling him he had until the end of the year:
Please drop me a line while I’m still alive. I’ve got an aggressive brain tumor, and my doctors say I’ll be a goner by year’s end (that is, in 3 months). I plan on spending my remaining days drawing, painting, and blogging. If I know you, thank you for your friendship. If you want to write me, please do so sooner rather than later, because I’m getting a little foggier everyday …
We’re reaching out and talking to close friend’s of Salmon’s for a story on the artist and musician, and if we have any updates, we’ll be sure to share. Meanwhile, wouldn’t hurt to sit back and spend some time with him on his blog. His last post in April, after not blogging since his diagnosis, was on his drawings. He was always happy to share those with all of us.
Yeah, we were damn lucky.
This article appears in Aug 7-13, 2014.
Howie was the drummer in my very first band, the “new wave” Jacket Weather, here in Tucson from 1982-1984. I was so happy to be able to give to him the vinyl album that was finally released for the group just this past winter. A fine friend, musician, artist — and a Tucson original. I love Howie Salmon.
Howie was an interesting, acerbic, intelligent, funny, and talented guy. I remember when his art was everywhere, and so was he. It’s crazy that he would be gone so soon. My mom was right. Life is not fair.
Howie…you are the bravest most courages person I know!
You lived life to the FULLEST! Cranked out new drawings and paintings everyday.
My hero!
With love
Cousin Gayle
Ow.. Howie. I love you. You fought so hard. Peace.
Crap! RIP
He had a good heart and full of interesting talents.
Born to Boogie orange grove road school to the last time i was exsited to see you.What a great sweet cool man & friend .thanks Howard. Allways-bill
An exhibit of Howard’s paintings is currently hanging at the Tucson JCC’s Fine Art Gallery (3800 E. River Road) and will be up until Aug. 12.
May his memory be for a blessing.
ברוך דין האמת
Baruch Dayan HaEmet.
May his memory be a blessing.
What a great man.
I have been praying for Howard’s recovery since I heard about the diagnosis almost 2 years ago. Hershel Mayer ben Shimshon was his Hebrew name. Davening witout mentioning him will be strange.
Howie was and continues to be a free and glorious spirit. His art, music wit and humor made all of our lives a little shiny-er. Howie played drums for White Pages back in the early eighties. He gave Dave Seger, Lee Joseph and me a way to see the world a little less cynically. My deepest condolences to all of Howard’s family, whom have traveled this road all to often. I feel privileged to have been touched by Howard’s presence on the earth. Peace to you my friend.
John Venet
When Howie was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 1993 he said wryly, if he had been born in the Middle Ages he would have died in his early 30s anyway, so he was already ahead. He added he was now going to fearlessly live his life, which would include fearlessly approaching gorgeous women and asking them out. Hey! What did he have to lose? He met Jay shortly thereafter and the rest is history…What an incredible attitude. And he kept his promise to the end.
I just literally heard about this 15-minutes ago from David Robey. I am deeply saddened. Howard was a true friend. Not just from my old Tucson days, but even as recent as 5 years ago. We talked on the phone a lot in my leading up to moving to Berlin. We spoke on phone also after i moved up to about a year ago. I knew he was battling a brain tumor. In our last conversation about a year ago, he sounded much more uptempo and despite being ill, he wanted to still create. He was a quiet innovator, and Tucson, please remember him strongly. I am…crushed. So young.
HOWARD SALMON May you Rest In Peace my friend.
Howard passed away yesterday from a long battle with brain cancer.
For those in Tucson, celebrate his life. From musician, writer, painter,
and a thinker, this is a huge loss for all of us who ever lived in Tucson in
the 70’s through the 90’s especially.
He was a quiet man with great wit, great intellect, deep sarcasm when he
wanted, but above all a deep sense of who he was and the small amount
of people around him. He was that way. He didn’t have to be friends with
everyone, only people that he could relate to in a small or bigger way.
Right now I am thinking when I first met Howard Salmon. He was in the
drummer in the Phantom Limbs, one of many bands that were part of the
late 70s beginning of the punk rock scene. He also was the creator of
“Slit Magazine” which printed maybe 50 copies in the beginning. It had
a collection of words and graphics covering the ‘new’ world of music that
was taking Tucson by charm at Pearl’s, Club Europa, and many other
spots. In the early 80’s Howard and I talked, and although I suspect he
felt I was the ‘establishment’ with Newsreal, my publication, at one
point he realized I surely wasn’t. My offer to give him a page every
month in Newsreal was something Howard embraced. Newsreal had
a 20,000 circulation at that time. Many more would see what Howard
was creating. They did.
In the past decades we stayed in touch by phone mostly, which was
the choice by both of us. We had extremely deep conversations about
life, politics, and much more. He had confided to me well before he
publicly announced his illness. The key reason was, he knew of my
battle with bladder cancer in the mid 90’s. Ok, that we had in common,
cancer, but we really covered many topics in all of our conversations.
As I get get older, numerous real friends of mine are passing. Each
one have special spots in my heart. Howard left us all with many
paintings, writings and more than anything, a Tucson icon of art.
Tucson, celebrate his life.
Will miss you my friend.
Very sad to hear this. I always loved Howie and his whole family. My best wishes to all who were lucky enough to know him.
–Peter Huestis, Washington DC