Austin Music Source

By BigJim

November 19, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this

What a shock this is!! He will be missed by not only those of the Austin community but by those who only knew and communicated with him by simple emails. RIP Bill.

By Robert Hurst

November 19, 2009 1:34 PM | Link to this

Bill Narum was a great friend, amazing artist, inquiring mind and wonderful mentor. I’m fortunate enough to call him friend for over 20 years. I will miss him greatly.

By Bill Hood

November 19, 2009 1:41 PM | Link to this

I spent the better part of an hour speaking with Bill at the Austin Sun Reunion just two weeks ago. He was so full of spirit and looking forward to finally finishing the Armadillo Documentary.

R.I.P. Bill

By Mickey Phoenix

November 19, 2009 2:36 PM | Link to this

What a wonderful lovely man..I am shocked and deeply saddened. Narum was definitely one of a kind..his versatile art abilities will never be matched..he could do anything..I will never forget our attempt to create an airbrush system that would allow us to dial in the colors..we called it BIG BERTHA..we did some great tee shirts and had a lot of fun..I will always be grateful for his friendship and support..God Bless his family and friends

By hank alrich

November 19, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this

damn, this hurts. i’d worked with Bill starting back in the ‘70’s at AWHQ, right through this past weekend when he wrapped up the packaging graphics for a CD i just produced that will be the first new product on Armadillo Records in decades.

he gave me genius level help every time i turned to him for design work, and that is just the tip of the iceberg as far as Bill’s depth and breadth of knowledge.

from the title cut:

“a short time to sing here; such a long time gone”

RIP brother

By Steve Hopson

November 19, 2009 3:41 PM | Link to this

What a shock, the loss of Bill’s energy and vision will leave a big void in our artistic community.

By Thorne Dreyer

November 20, 2009 12:06 AM | Link to this

I posted this today to The Rag Blog. We also ran some posters, a Space City! cover and other artwork…

Bill Narum was a dear friend of The Rag Blog and my personal friend and colleague for more than four decades. He was art director at Space City!, the pioneering underground paper we published in Houston in the late Sixties and early Seventies. He was a major force in the Houston underground radio scene — at KLOL and KPFT — and became one of the most important graphic designers and poster artists in the Texas counterculture. And he was still going strong.

Bill Narum was an exceptional talent; he was also a calm and gentle human being. His death leaves a void that cannot ever be filled.

Thorne Dreyer

By Kris Gulleen

November 20, 2009 8:09 AM | Link to this

Like all of us, I’m totally shocked, and deeply saddened. I’m honored that the great Bill Narum recently used several of my photos (poster and album), and that he made me look like Michelangelo with a camera. I’m in awe of what he did. There was no other with his vast talent and vision, and he was such a nice guy. It was an honor to have known him. He will be greatly missed by all.

By Fellow Vidiot

November 20, 2009 11:21 PM | Link to this

I guess the tape finally ran out. It was a great production, though. Sleep well.

By Nico Narum Dauterive

November 21, 2009 3:16 AM | Link to this

I want to thank everyone for sharing their kind memories of my father and his work. Reading such accounts and knowing how respected and loved my father is helps during this very difficult time. My dad was a modest man, and I think few people know what a truly amazing and supportive father he has been to me. I am so proud of him. I miss him terribly and always will, but I take comfort in the fact that he passed away in peace in his studio on his farm at the Acorn with friends close by. On behalf of my sister, dad’s soulmate, and our family — thank you.

By Michelle Narum

November 23, 2009 1:26 PM | Link to this

*My dad didn’t die at home in Austin. He died on his land “The Acorn” in Thorndale. He had been working on the property with a friend. My father said, “I am going to take a break” and began wandering off. His friend found him in the new metal structure Dad has been working into a studio for The Acorn. He was in his canvas chair with his legs crossed and appeared to be sleeping. The friend let him rest until it became dinner time. When checking on him, the dear friend discovered he had passed. The only thing a little strange was a clenched hand. They are not certain what killed him, but it was something to with heart and lungs. We will not know for sure until the official documents are released. *He was 62. My Dad BILL NARUM had an amazing life. He lived like a RockStar but didn’t play any instruments really. [He does have a gold record AND a grammy for his art, though!] He had interests in every media and resource before they even became hip. He understood the benefits of communal living, and was “Green”-er then you could imagine for someone who loved Chicken Fried Steak and all the other wonderful food at Threadgill’s. His friends have been life long and very loyal. The women he loved all adored him fiercly and never stopped being special to him, even after they parted ways. Everyone who ever knew him - or of him - will be affected deeply by his passing. *Bill Narum was also the father of two amazing women. I have lived a path very similar to his in my own ways and been a true Narum to the core. My younger sister Nico is not only brilliant, but talented and beautiful as well. While we were 15 years apart, and children of different mothers, he frequently made efforts to bring us into each others lives. Each of “Bill’s Girls” has her own memory of the man which we shared and will treasure a lifetime. Together we have bonded into an undeniable force. We are working on a few projects to provide a legacy worthy of such a multifaceted and multitalented individual.

By Skip Davis

November 23, 2009 8:19 PM | Link to this

Wow. Bill was larger than life. Losing Bill is almost too much to bear, and his passing nearly marks the end of a very special era in Austin,and American music history. Bill’s poster art is every bit as much of international Rock N Roll as are the musicians who’s music he celebrated in those posters he made. What I will really miss is Bill’s cool demeanor and his encouraging words. Rest in Peace, Brother Bill.