Joe Rudolph, one of the kings of community radio, made his transition sometime this past weekend. Friends became worried when Joe did not show up for work Monday at KPOO. Longtime associates Arnold Townsend, Terry Collins and Judge Colbert went to his home and found him. Joe was a revolutionary from back in the dayand told me at Mosswood Park's Carnival Day as he looked around at the younger generation, "Hey, Marv, ain't gonna be no more bloods like us, huh? We the last of a breed." I agreed. The last time I spoke with Joe, he joked about my up coming Kings and Queens of Black Consciousness Concert. "Man, Marvin, you got everybody in the world coming--you got Nelson Mandela and Bishop Tutu....." KPOO DJ and poet Avotcja was at my apartment when we got the news. She said Joe was the only person whose head was harder than mine. We don't know yet the cause of death, but Avotcja seemed to think he probably didn't take care of his health--like many of us. Well, another warrior gone. And what can we say except we are from Allah and we return to Him.
