I first saw GSH at Hammersmith Odeon in the UK. He came out on his own, talking in his distinctive half mumble, and talked about the recent space shuttle crash. He talked about the tragedy of people's lives lost, but compared it with how many people's lives were being destroyed by poverty, and how much money the space program could contribute to eradicating poverty.
He said he had just written a song, and just song this beautiful and amazing song - Space Shuttle - now available on remastered CDs after over 20 years. I knew I was listening to a musical genius, and a visionary man, and I'd never heard any of his music before. 2 weeks later at a free anti-apartheid concert on Clapham Common he came out with the band, and launched into Johannesburg. Tens of thousands of people sang along, and they and I have been hooked for 20 years.
Documentaries have been done about GSH, including one last year, and his many problems with drugs are now well documented, ironic considering two of his most famous songs, The Bottle and Angel Dust. I must have seen him live at least 20 times. Gil Scott-Heron is a great poet, songwriter, musician, rapper, and comic, and an inspiring human being, who like most of us, also has flaws and weaknesses.
Buy this DVD and share in the legend and his music. For thousands of us all around the world, jazz and blues literally doesn't get any better.