David Lynch has died.
I’m in shock. Though I shouldn’t be. His health, as he noted, had been in decline, with the onset of emphysema following 60+ years of smoking.
And still…and still.
You’re going to read a lot about the impact of David Lynch on popular culture. Here, I’m going to let you know about Lynch’s impact on me. Memories as they come to me.
Sitting with my mother, watching Twin Peaks on its summer airing in 1990. Being captivated.
Watching the reveal of Laura Palmer’s murder on a Saturday night with my sister. Being horrified.
Sneaking in late to a movie theatre to watch Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me in 1992. My first movie by myself.
Decades later being asked to pitch a book for ECW Press’ Pop Classics line. Deciding I’d pitch one on Twin Peaks.
Finding out months later, after tweaks, that the pitch had been accepted. I’d be writing my first book.
Emailing David Lynch through his Transcendental Meditation foundation, asking if he’d be up for an interview for the book and an article I would be writing for Rue Morgue Magazine. Hearing back from David’s assistant. This would be the closest I would come to talking to the man himself, and it was good enough for me:
Your e-mail was forwarded to my office. Thank you for sending this very thoughtful request. Unfortunately, Mr. Lynch would like to politely decline participation in this project. However, he wishes you the best of luck, and thanks you for thinking of him. Thanks for understanding.
Talking to his friends and colleagues about their experiences working on the show; a late night phone call with Sheryl Lee; a drive through Los Angeles with Kimmy Robertson; telephone tag with Ray Wise. Talking with David’s daughter, Jennifer, the first person in that world to give me the time of day.
Visiting Snoqualmie, Washington, the site of where the original Twin Peaks was shot. Sitting in the Double R Diner. Standing in front of the Palmer House.
Hearing the news in the fall of 2014 that Twin Peaks would be returning, and managing to get it into the book.
Wrapped In Plastic: Twin Peaks came out officially 10 years ago. People still buy the damn thing.
Sometimes, I think about writing a sequel to Wrapped In Plastic: Twin Peaks to discuss Twin Peaks: The Return. For me, and many, it’s David Lynch’s masterwork. 18 hours of the artist, pure and unadulterated. From a creative perspective, he left us on the highest of notes.
Like so many of his fans today, I’m sure, I feel very shocked and maybe a little numb. But I also feel thankful to have been impacted by David Lynch and his work and for the friends and opportunities that came because of it.
In his book Catching The Big Fish, David Lynch wrote about the pursuit of ideas:
Ideas are like fish. If you want to catch little fish, you can stay in the shallow water. But if you want to catch the big fish, you’ve got to go deeper“.
Thank you, David, for the ideas and inspiration and for helping make me who I am and put me where I am today. I’ll keep trying to catch the big fish. And I promise to never watch a movie on an iPhone.
A heartfelt post. We know how important Lynch’s work was to you. Many good memories. Beautiful summary.