chicago blues

[UPDATE: Commenter Christophe Albertijn adds links to Ritscher's chilling self-penned obituary and suicide note. Comments continue to be added to the original Post No Bills post.]

The Chicago Reader's Post No Bills blog has an item about Malachi Ritscher, a local music devotee who committed suicide by immolation last Friday, at least partly out of disgust for the war in Iraq.

As far as music goes, I'm sure many cities have their own Malachi Ritscher: always around, recording, but, judging from Peter Margasak's original post and the comments that followed Ritscher seems to have contributed with unusual fervour and efficiency. It's quite sad that he's gone.