Sad news yesterday as it was announced that Mikey Spillane, creator of the Mike Hammer series, died on Monday. He was 88 years old. Provided below are a couple of overviews of his life and work.
I must say the literary critic in me wants to talk about his contribution to noir and popular gumshoe writing. We can throw around a lot of fancy explication to dissect his writing. But perhaps the best way to measure Spillane is to remember that he appeared in those great Miller Lite “less filling, tastes great” commercials. If focusing on beer ads seems dismissive of the man’s writing, let me ask you something, when was the last time you saw an author in a television commercial? In a culture where even the most famous authors are third-rate-celebrities, Spillane held his own with sports legends like John Madden and film stars like Rodney Dangerfield. Think about it… an author in a beer commercial? How fucking cool is that?
Those were great ads, and you’re right, I can’t remember another author getting such mainstream air time.
Very fucking cool. Great observation. Spillane is yet another example of popular vs. literary elite. Tough writing and no apologies all the way.
TO ME MICKEY WAS A VERY DEAR FRIEND HE AND MY UNCLE WERE BEST FRIENDS JACK A GREAT DEAL OF PEOPLE KNOW THEM BOTH VERY WELL, I WILL NEVER FORGET THEM…..