FJA-RIP

Forrest J. Ackerman has died. He was 92. Not unexpected, given his age and recent health but this guy was an inspiration to most of us who grew up with Famous Monsters of Filmland, the great magazine from the 1960's and 70's which, before the net was our ONLY way of seeing previews of new monster and sci-fi films. He inspired a generation of filmmakers like John Landis, Steven Spielberg and Rick Baker right on down to artists like myself. Not one of us could have imagined the end of the life of Uncle Forry.

Forry coined the term "Sci Fi", waaaay back as a pun on "Hi-Fi"(a type of stereo sound in the 50's, kiddies). Many "elitists" in the SCI FI field were chargrinned by this term over the years, saying it somehow "demeaned" the field. Like, get a grip and get over being a Revisionist Historian about the field. It's been around longer than many of us, we're only riding the waves in it and SCI FI will go on long after we're not here, just as it has and will with Forry gone.

There is nothing that can be said that hasn't been said save for "Thanks Forry". Celebrate our imaginations, in his honor, the best way to remember him I'd say. More on him at Yahoo News:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081205/ap_en_ot/obit_ackerman