R.I.P. CRAIG GLAZER: KANSAS CITY'S FAVORITE MEDIA IMPRESARIO IGNORED AND REVELED IN MEAN COMMENTS!!!
Today Kansas City mourns the passing of not only African-American signer icon Aretha Franklin but also a legend in local media: Craig Glazer.
Craig Glazer was a contributing writer to Tony's Kansas City for years and wrote some of the most controversial and inspiring posts ever published on this blog.
Craig was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year and passed last night after his last remaining brother died only weeks ago.
We mourn his passing but also remember a quick lesson he taught this blog community . . .
Craig didn't often pay much attention to comment haters but when he did, he usually found them funny and took joy in calling them out, busting their constant misstatements and reminding online trolls that they were obsessed with him, not the other way around.
Craig Glazer pioneered sharing far too much about his personal life before the selfie social media era. He was more than just a comedy club owner, he used his talent for captivating audiences as a pundit, social critic, low-key activist for Westport and mentor to a lot of performers hoping to break into the entertainment industry.
More than that, he was Kansas City's original comeback story. Neither a stint in jail nor repeated business reboots seemed to impact his efforts to keep trying and trying again . . .
Important to today's conversation . . . In an era when there's a constant effort to "deplatform" political opponents, Craig Glazer reveled in a vibrant discourse and enjoyed debating all manner of haters, critics and trolls rather than seeking to limit their access.
In the comments that will follow, there will be some nasty things written about Craig Glazer and that's to be expected. Most people who would seek to tarnish his legacy never knew him, but some did. What's important is that no one can dispute Mr. Glazer's self-awareness, keen insight and commitment to championing his ideals.
Craig was a good guy. You'd never find somebody who knew more about Kansas City and the history of just about everyone in town. He also worked exceptionally hard and never got credit for it. He kept a schedule that would kill most ordinary people in a matter of weeks. The guy was a legend.
ReplyDeleteI think the criticism might have got to Craig more than he let on. But the guy just never let the haters get him down, that was one of his true strengths.
DeleteReally want to hear Johnny Dare's take on Craig's death. The guy used to always give Craig sh*t whenever he came on his show. It was almost embarrassing the way he constantly criticized the guy, not great radio. Hope Johnny will show a modicum of class on this subject.
Delete^^^^^^^^^^^ Johnny Dare, class? Don't hold your breath.
DeleteReally surprising that Stan the man outlived all of his sons. Nobody ever said the guy didn't have endurance.
DeleteReally liked Craig, thought the guy got a raw deal in a lot of his dealings with entertainers. He remained a class act most of the time but enjoyed being a cut up too. RIP Craig.
DeleteCraig was a man's man. He didn't apologize for who he was and he didn't make excuses for himself. That's rare nowadays when so many beta males are sorry for their own existence and try to make up for their "privilege" with their every breath.
ReplyDeleteI interviewed Craig on my show many times and I worked his club often. Those who say good things about him and those that say bad things about him are both right. I always found him to be interesting. Even when I didn't want to be around him. RIP Craig. You lived the life.
ReplyDeleteSo..., in a way, in that 21st century, interweb way, where we all communicate on line, we are friends here. We have vitriolic arguments over politics, ethics, morals and current events, local and national. But, we come back, we look again to see who said what and why, then move on, or, comment from out own perspective. It's an angry family, but, it's family of a sorts and in this disjointed, disconnected and pressure filled life, the respite and opportunity for catharsis and a place to voice your concerns on our, all of our concerns, is an anonymous (If you want it to be.) safe haven, where PC fears are secondary to honestly held beliefs expressed.
ReplyDeleteThis close and constant association over the last five years for me (Many of you, much longer.), has been rewarding. Fuming at this and that, insulting and demeaning those who disagreed with me, or supporting those who in turn, supported my beliefs and opinions, was, and is, quite simply, fun.
I met Glaze only 3 or 4 times in person, he was a charming, congenial, upbeat and gracious guy. A charismatic louche with, probably a pretty good right cross. I liked him a lot. His comments here, always extemporaneous and forthright, were honest and heartfelt.
The room, will not, in any way, be the same without him.
God bless him, may his passage be joyful and his remaining family take solace in God's grace in this time of heartache.
Oh chuck, don't be so vexed.
DeleteThe world is blessed by the hope that you're next.
Did he commit suicide?
ReplyDeleteThe three Vs ..Vodka, Viagra & Veronica
ReplyDeleteTony, sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteLucky Craig. Dude owed a lot of money to a lot of people!
ReplyDeleteI always wondered if a husband or someone he owed money to would clip him someday.he basically treated people like Trump does
ReplyDeleteWhatevs...
ReplyDeleteTom Becka is very correct in his statement. Craig would lie a lot and really hated it when people pointed it out. He was also very well known to speak his mind while not caring what anyone thought. It was that which got him banned from a local radio station. I just saw this over on the Pitch's story about Craigs death and it speaks volumes about Craig.
ReplyDeleteSo this is the guy who was always attacking people calling them losers talking about how great his body was over everyone else while making supposedly insane amounts of money. But in the end he is now gone and same as broke from what I hear while most of us he attacked and belittled are still here and living decent lives. Karma is a bitch they say and just maybe we see some proof of that here. From what Craigs hang out buddy over on KC Confidential is saying nobody was around when he died other than maybe McKnight. Where was all the so called friends he claims to have been around? Where was Black Barbie during all of this? Why did his dad Stan haul ass out of town else where almost in the middle of the night? The guy wasn't a legend as he would like you to think he was, just another ex-con who pulled one sting/scam after another all the way through life. He just lucked out and strung it out for years while others ended up in jail for life by 40. As Hearne Christopher said and I quote, "Remember, Craig got busted early on for loading up the comments section with phony characters." So many of the so called comments Tony talks about were probably made by Craig since he was such a freak for how many comments his story's got.
This is sad news. The world today is diminished from the world of yesterday, by these loses. Condolences to everyone who knew & liked him.
ReplyDeleteHe never hated on me, even when I would disagree with something he wrote.
Thanks for posting this Tony.
I meant to sign my name to the comment at 8:26.
ReplyDeleteMan that sucks. RIP bro.
ReplyDeleteHey, T. Would you happen to know where they're burying him? I'd like to piss on his grave. Oops ... I mean, my friend would like to piss on his grave. Yeah. My friend. Not me. Me? I love the guy. I think he was just the bee's knees.
ReplyDeleteHe cared so little about what his detractors said that he spent hours reading and pondering every word, even writing about the critiques he cared so little about.
ReplyDeleteYeah, okay. Because that sounds plausible. Sure...
<3 Rest in peace, Craig <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteSure you did Byron, we know you have been posting anonymous for years now, you really think you're fooling anyone?
ReplyDeleteHe was a good guy. He loved Westport and the past twenty years seeing it go further and further into despair thanks to political correctness, the black plague and more choices in the suburbs hurt him greatly.
ReplyDeleteI'm not making a joke. I personally think the city should name a small portion of a street in Westport to Glazer. He was the King of Westport. And should be remembered as such.
Craig was a good man. He had a lot of people who cared about him and he helped people in their careers and personal lives. R.I.P. Craig, you're one of the good ones.
ReplyDeleteLove him or hate him, you can't deny that he left a mark on KC's entertainment industry. If you enjoy KC nightlife then thank Craig Glazer for it!
ReplyDeleteDude was a legend. Prayers for his extended family and anyone who called him a friend like I did.
ReplyDeleteThe guy smoked like a chimney, drank like a fish and lived like a boss. He did more with his life than any of his haters. Good for him.
ReplyDeleteYes, because the number of cigarettes one smokes is a proxy for "doing something."
DeleteGood God. Is your dream of working at a gas station? Because that's who has this idea.
Craig was one of the most "kick-ass" things about TKC no doubt about it.
ReplyDeleteFarewell friend.
ReplyDeleteCraig was somebody who made this town original. A great personality of Kansas City. This town is less unique now that he's gone. He was a good guy.
ReplyDeleteThe last boss of Westport. Definitely a KC original.
ReplyDeleteThere are many "kings" in KC. Craig was the boss!
ReplyDeleteEnd of an era. Here and on the Interwebs. Wow, to drive a nice car, get the ladies, own a comedy club to passing on. Cliche AF but life is shorter than you think. Live it up.
ReplyDeleteIn so many ways, Very much a Shawnee Mission East kid.
ReplyDelete^^^^^^^^ Nothing wrong with that. Craig did well for himself. A lot better than most losers from that high school.
ReplyDeleteI swear Glazer's ghost must be posting a lot of these comments that are one right after another.
ReplyDeleteCraig was a scribe, raconteur and all around Renaissance man. He was the quintessential Kansas City roustabout and now he will forever be enshrined as a legend. Good night sweet prince, good night Craig Glazer.
ReplyDeleteI'll tell you this Craig didn't make any apologies for how he lived and that should be admired, he was a man's man and a great guy to hang with. He counted most of the popular football stars in KC as his friend and he was also front and center with some of the top Royals like Hosmer when the Royals won the world series. The man lived a great life and left it all on the field. Agree with a lot of the comments here. Rest In Peace Craig.
ReplyDeleteI liked his columns on TKC. He did some good writing here that was superior to his work I've seen in other places. Sad that he took a lot more sh*t here than most places because I really felt like his comments were able to provide a voice that others couldn't
ReplyDeleteCondolences to his family. We'll miss you Craig.
ReplyDeleteOnly a total dirt bag would say something nasty about this guy now that he's gone. But Craig hung out with a lot of unsavory people, he didn't discriminate, he was friendly to almost everybody that he met. Very much a people person, very much a Kansas City guy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the laughs and all the good times you gave KC, bud. You left the world a better place and put a smile on a lot of faces!
ReplyDeleteGlazed wanted me to tell you guys you're hopeless.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice ride
ReplyDeleteGlazer was a KC original. Harkens back to the days of cocaine in bathrooms and after hours partying. Dude was definitely a hustler regardless of the level of BS he put out there about the hustling he did. He certainly lived life to the fullest.
ReplyDelete^^^^^^^^^^^^^ +1000
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree. Everybody that knew him realized he was a very hard working and friendly man.
RIP Craig Glazer, owner of Improv and the Standup Comedy business Stanford’s in KC -
ReplyDelete7) Craig was brash and dubbed himself as “The King of Comedy” and anyone that knew him has a story or two.
😎 My favorite tale - when X was 18 or 19, he signed up for Wednesday “Open Mike Night” as “Neil Whisper”.
“Neil Whisper” was a bizarre Andy Kauffman type character with a lisp, overtly bashful, and an IQ of about 57.
9) Patrick never broke character from Neil for his first night at Stanford’s, while the entire staff really thought Patrick was “Neil”.
His bit was part stupid, part hilarious, and part genius.
10) As word grew about Neil, more folks started attending those Wednesday nights to see what Neil had to say and do.
11) X never broke character from Neil for several weeks, until one night Craig figured out that “Neil Whisper” was not a real person.
12) He was steamed and yelled, “No one dupes Craig Glazer!”
He wanted X gone that night, but the staff calmed him down and told him how many fans Neil had garnered.
12) Neil continued to perform for a few more weeks, until he left for Chicago.
13) It is said that Craig’s last words this week were, “I. Hate. Neil. Whisper
Privileged dude to the max! Daddy starts business for his sons to run. Nice luck!
ReplyDeleteCraig Glazer was fully self expressed. In NYC, he'd have been far more accepted than here.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he did not die of a sexually transmitted disease, considering his lifestyle.
Sorry his move will never get made. But all his other projects, including taking comedy from Westport to southern Joco, downtown, the Legends--all great things.
And I agree with those who say he was the King of Comedy in this over-serious town, and they should do something in his honor in Westport.
Chuck--great comments, here.
"May flights of angels speed thee to thy rest."
ReplyDeleteRIP Craig, Jeff and Jack
ReplyDelete