Dirk Dirksen, the "Pope" of Punk, Dies in His Sleep -- November 19th

Dirk Dirksen, a central figure in the formation of hard core punk rock in the San Francisco Bay has died, peacefully in his sleep on the night of November 19th. The immediate cause of death was not determined.

Ginger Coyote, publisher of Punk Globe, wrote -- at  http://www.punkglobe.com/DIRK.html -- "Dirk was a special human being. He introduced us all to Punk Rock at The Mabuhay Gardens in 1977 when he started promoting shows there.....Through out the years of knowing Dirk, I grew to love and respect him greatly.. Dirk was a member of my family..Not my blood family...but my Punk Rock Family.. This Family was much closer to me than my blood family.. We cared and looked out for each other. Dirk did so much for so many...

"People would contact him when someone was in trouble, sick or had passed away. Because he would be the person, who would always know what to do.... I am having problems dealing with the fact Dirk has really passed on and no longer with us...He was the voice of reason...

"Ruby Ray, had seen him on Sunday at a Mutants get together and he was enjoying himself and even dancing a bit.. Kathy Peck said he had eaten a Sandwich and seemed to be in a good mood before going to bed on the eve of November 19. Dirk passed away in his sleep with NO lingering pain or complications."

A former business partner, Robert Moselle, with whom Dirk had formed a video production company, one of several Dirksen had been involved with, reported that he had spoke with Dirk just a couple of days ago, and he sounded well. It is known that Dirksen had been suffering from coronary artery disease for at least a decade.

The response in the music community has been one of shock and of fond memories. If Dirksen was not always portrayed with the most lovable persona, it is true that he was certainly loved, and will be missed.

Plans for a memorial have not been announced. Check  http://www.punkglobe.com or local SF media such as  http://www.sfgate.com

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