Tuesday, February 13, 2007

A Funeral for ZAK


Joseph Bernard Zak, known among New York’s punk rockers as simply “ZAK,” passed away in December. He was an 80-year-old poet and lyric writer who performed with a punk rock band, Team Spider. I interviewed ZAK several times about his life over the past several years, with the intention of writing a long and detailed story about his life and the history of Team Spider.

ZAK passed away this past December. I was fortunate to know him and I’m glad I was able to attend his funeral. ZAK died with no known family, but his friends and neighbors were his family. ZAK will live on through his poetry, song lyrics, translations and fond memories.

Please take the time to remember this extraordinary New Yorker.