You often hear of celebrities dying, and are saddened but not surprised. It seemed like John Lee Hooker's time was coming for a while. Same with Johnny Cash.
I was never a huge Elliot Smith fan, but I've always respected his music. It's a bizarre kind of empty shock I feel to be listening to KEXP and hear he's gone.
From the website
Steven Paul (Elliott) Smith. August 6, 1969 – October 21, 2003. Elliott Smith was born on August 6, 1969 in Omaha, Nebraska. Elliott spent his childhood near Dallas, Texas where he began his musical training at the age of nine, winning a local award for original composition at the age of ten.
Elliott relocated to Portland, Oregon as a Sophomore at Lincoln High School where he was achieved the rank of National Merit Scholar. During his time at Lincoln High School, Elliott joined the band “Stranger Than Fiction” in which he composed music and performed until his graduation in 1987.
Elliott later attended Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, where he majored in Philosophy and Political Science. During his time at Hampshire, Elliott, known then as Elliott Stillwater Rotter, co-founded the band “A Murder of Crows”. He later became a member of well know band “Heatmiser”. It was during this time that Elliott began to release music as a solo artist.
During his lifetime, Elliott released five full-length albums as a solo artist as well as a number of singles. Elliott was nominated for an Academy Award for “Miss Misery”, his musical contribution to the Academy Award winning movie, “Good Will Hunting”.
At the time of his death, Elliott was recording his sixth album, “From A Basement on the Hill”.
Elliott is survived by a host of family, friends and fans.