Know Your Gibsons

For lovers of experimental music, a mention of the name "Jon Gibson" will immediately evoke an obscure, but essential figure in the history of minimalism. Saxophonist and composer Jon Gibson (pictured) performed in the premieres of Drumming by Steve Reich and In C by Terry Riley, two of the most important pieces of music from the past half-century, and played for many years with the Philip Glass Ensemble. But in addition to collaborating with three of minimalism's most influential composers, he is a great artist in his own right.

Jon Gibson is definitely, definitely worth listening to.

But I guess there's also John Gibson. Not pictured, for fear of disturbing small children, John Gibson is a--move over, Buffo!--scary clown in the employ of the right-wing Fox News corporation, who used the occasion of Heath Ledger's death to mock Brokeback Mountain, the terrifically popular and well-crafted independent film, which Gibson dislikes (although he still may not have seen it?) because it sympathizes with homosexual love.

It is not worth listening to John Gibson. In fact, this is the last I will ever mention this attention whore. So if you ever hear me say something that sounds like "John Gibson," you'll know I'm talking about saxophones, not homophobes.

Next week on Know Your Gibsons: which William Gibson wrote Neuromancer, and which one wrote that Helen Keller play?

FOX Radio Host Mocks Heath Ledger's Death, Brokeback Mountain [Towleroad]