Glenn O'Brien

Glenn O'Brien

O'Brien in 2015
Born March 2, 1947
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Died April 7, 2017 (aged 70)
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Occupation Writer
Nationality American
Alma mater Georgetown University and Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Notable awards named one of Top 10 Most Stylish Men in America by GQ Magazine
Spouse Gina Nanni (until his death)

Glenn O'Brien (March 2, 1947 – April 7, 2017) was an American writer who focused largely on the subjects of art, music and fashion. He was featured for many years as "The Style Guy" in GQ magazine, and published a book with that title.

He worked as an editor at a number of publications, and published the arts and literature magazine Bald Ego from 2003–2005.

Early life and education

O'Brien was born in Cleveland, Ohio, where he attended the Jesuit St. Ignatius High School. O'Brien went to Georgetown University and edited the Georgetown Journal, which was founded by Condé Nast.[1] O'Brien later studied film at the Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.[2]

Career

In his early years, he was a member of Andy Warhol's Factory. He was the first editor of Interview from 1971 to 1974.[3] After his departure, he continued to write for the magazine and returned as editor several times, with a nearly 20-year association with the title. He was a music critic for the publication in the punk era, with the influential column "Glenn O'Brien's Beat".[4]

In 1980–1981, he wrote the screenplay (which he also co-produced with Patrick Montgomery) for a film to be called New York Beat, starring Jean-Michel Basquiat[5] (The film was only released in 2000, as "Downtown 81"), with post-production managed by O'Brien and Maripol.[6]

From 1978 to 1982, O'Brien hosted a New York city Public-access television cable TV show called TV Party, which featured such then underground figures as David Byrne, Klaus Nomi, August Darnell, Fab 5 Freddy, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cookie Mueller, John Fekner, Amos Poe, and bands like Blondie, the Clash, DNA and the Fleshtones.[7][8]

After leaving "TV Party" in addition to continuing his writing career, he attempted a stint as a stand up comedian, and was a contributing editor of Allure, Harper's Bazaar, and Creative Director of advertising at Barneys New York.[9] For 10 years, he wrote a monthly column for ArtForum Magazine. He edited Madonna's book, Sex.[9]

In January 2008, he was named Editorial Director of Brant Publications, which includes Interview Magazine as well as Art in America and Antiques.[10] In June 2009 it was announced that he had left his position with Brant Publications.[3]

He lent his collection of early Jean-Michel Basquiat works to various exhibitions, including Deitch Projects,[11] and is a co-author of a major volume on the artist.[12]

Death

O'Brien died of complications from pneumonia in Manhattan on April 7, 2017 at the age of 70.[9][13] Madonna called O'Brien "an amazing soul and a creative genius" after releasing a statement on Twitter.[14]

Awards and honours

On February 17, 2009, O"Brien was named one of Top 10 Most Stylish Men in America by GQ.[15]

Published works

References

  1. ↑ Kreps, Daniel, "Glenn O'Brien, Writer and Punk Renaissance Man, Dead at 70", Rolling Stone, April 7, 2017.
  2. ↑ Glennobrien.com
  3. 1 2 Williams, Alex (April 7, 2017). "Glenn O’Brien, Writer and Editor Who Gained Fame With Warhol, Dies at 70". The New York Times. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  4. ↑ "The Greatest Hits from the Legendary Closet of the Style Guy, Glenn O’Brien". GQ. April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2017. With link to Welch, Will, "Rest In Peace: One Last Riff with Glenn O’Brien, the King of New York Cool", GQ, April 8, 2017.
  5. ↑ New York Beat Movie (1981), imdb.com.
  6. ↑ Lockwood, Lisa (April 8, 2017). "Glenn O'Brien, who once wrote GQ's Style Guy column, dies at 70". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  7. ↑ TV Party
  8. ↑ Curley, Mallory, A Cookie Mueller Encyclopedia (Randy Press, 2010), p. 352.
  9. 1 2 3 Strauss, Matthew (April 7, 2017). "Glenn O’Brien, Writer and “TV Party” Host, Dead at 70". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  10. ↑ Anthony Haden-Guest Interviews Glenn O’Brien, the New Editor of Andy Warhol’s Legendary Interview Magazine. Saatchi Online.
  11. ↑ "Jean-Michel Basquiat, 1981: The Studio of the Street", Deitch Projects, NY, May 2006.
  12. ↑ Deitch J, Cortez D, and O’Brien, G. Jean-Michel Basquiat 1981: the Studio of the Street, Milan: Charta, 2007.
  13. ↑ "Writer, Warhol associate and TV Party host Glenn O'Brien dies aged 70". The Guardian. April 7, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Madonna on Twitter". Twitter. April 7, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  15. ↑ "The 10 Most Stylish Men in America". New York Daily News. February 17, 2009. Retrieved February 17, 2009.
  16. ↑ Amazon.com: The Style Guy
  17. ↑ Amazon.com: How To Be a Man
  18. ↑ loa.org: "The Cool School"
  19. ↑ amazon.com Berluti: At Their Feet
  20. ↑ amazon.com [http://www.amazon.com/Hennessy A toast to the world's preeminent spirit
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