Thursday, April 6, 2017

Don Rickles R.I.P. - Potawatomi, Milwaukee





I saw Don Rickles perform several times at Potawatomi in Milwaukee.




I saw him at Potawatomi in August 2016. It was a very last minute thing, but I'm glad I decided to go. Go to see Rickles and you're guaranteed to laugh out loud.



At 90, he was as sharp as ever. He was able to pull off the insult comic stuff successfully even at that age. His show included taped segments of his Tonight Show appearances with Johnny Carson and Frank Sinatra. His appearance at Ronald Reagan's inauguration was also highlighted. He did a tribute to the military and to his beloved mother. Photos accompanied his tributes. It was really very touching.

It's funny that he could say these insulting, very politically incorrect things and display such tenderness as well. It was always clear how much he loved his dear friends and family. While saying what today would be considered truly offensive things, he managed to unite people through his humor. Rather than being divisive, his jokes served to emphasize what we all share as human beings. It doesn't really make sense, but that was the result.

Don Rickles gave a lot of joy to a lot of people for decades.

He left a beautiful legacy: We should laugh at ourselves and not take ourselves too seriously. Life is too precious to get bent out of shape over silly things. Always enjoy yourself. Always laugh. Love with all your heart.

Rest in peace, you hockey puck.



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