By Phil DePaolo
Last October, the popular folk singer Vic Chesnutt played a show at The Music Hall of Williamsburg, a concert I’d planned on going to, but missed. Vic toured often so I figured I would get to see him the next time he came to New York, in the spring or summer. But that will never happen. Vic Chesnutt died Christmas Day in Athens, Georgia, after committing suicide by an overdose of prescription muscle relaxants. He was only 45 years old.
Chesnutt was paraplegic since he was 18 years old. He was paralyzed after a drunk driving accident in 1983 which left him with only limited use of his arms. Yet against all odds, despite the paralysis, he was able to develop fantastic guitar skills and became famous for playing bass, rhythm, and lead in the same song with the dexterity of only two fingers. He was one of the greatest performers I’ve ever seen. He was a giant on stage.
The debate over whether chain stores in Williamsburg are good for the neighborhood is nothing new. Indeed, Reverend Billy (a crusader for sustainable consumerism whose 2009 mayoral campaign was endorsed by L Magazine) launched a massive protest in 2001 when it was rumored a Starbucks was opening on Bedford Avenue. For nearly ten years, however, the main drag of the ‘Burg has remained relatively chain-free. Until now. Duane Reade opened a store at the Northside Piers on Kent Avenue in September, and recently a “coming soon” sign from Duane Reade appeared on Bedford and North 3rd Street— right across the street from Kings Pharmacy.
Photo by Carrie Beckman