I usually don’t get too meta when public figures die, but I have to say, I am pretty bummed about the passing of Peter Jennings. I’m no fan of broadcast news — oh, hell, I’m a print snob, truth be known — but Jennings had the coolest head. He had that kind of graceful delivery that’s far above the screedy anchors on the cable networks, and that kind of class is all too rare in broadcast journalism.
Ibrahim Ferrer also passed away this weekend. I don’t listen to Cuban son, and I’m ambivalent about the Buena Vista Social Club’s recordings. But the story of Ferrer and his cohorts achieving success at a point of in their lives when their dreams seemed so distant is inspiring. It’s sad he’s gone, but it’s nice he got to play at Carnegie Hall.