Jim Carrol has shuffled off this mortal coil.

Right about the time I was discovering that there was music outside of my parent’s strange tastes I heard People Who Died and was hooked. And while I know 9b is a little late with this news I thought it only fitting that some sort of tribute be posted here after all we mentioned Patrick Swayze and the music we review and post for your pleasure is influenced as much by punk rock as it is by country. People Who Died is probably his most recognizable song as Jim mulls through a list of dead friends and the methods of their demise. Even more people probably recognize Jim as the main character in Basketball Diaries, played by DiCaprio, a high school basketball sensation who lost his way. I have met many people who didn’t know that the movie was autobiographical. Jim’s tragic life ended six days ago on September 11 and I hope he is at peace.

Many better people than I have eulogized Jim in the past few days so I won’t try to tell his story. Suffice it to say he was an amazing writer and a true punk. Enjoy the tracks as they are only fitting for his death.

Jim Carroll Band – People Who Died
Drive By Truckers – People Who Died