Rod McKuen, wildly successful poet and songwriter, is dead at 81
Before Rod McKuen essentially stopped publishing his poems and recording albums in 1981, he was a pop culture juggernaut, a sort of middlebrow Renaissance man, selling more than 60 million of his poetry books and tens of millions of copies of his 200 music and spoken-word albums. At the peak of his career, in the 1960s and '70s, McKuen was "the unofficial poet laureate of America," according to the St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture. He died on Thursday in Beverly Hills, after a battle with pneumonia, at age 81.
McKuen collaborated with Belgian songwriter Jacques Brel on a string of well-known songs, including "If You Go Away" and "Seasons in the Sun," and Frank Sinatra commissioned and recorded an album of his songs, A Man Alone (1969). He was nominated for Academy Awards for the title songs to A Boy Named Charlie Brown (1969) and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969), and won a Grammy for his spoken-word album Lonesome Cities (1968). He acted in TV shows and movies. As a budding poet in the 1950s, McKuen read his work alongside Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and other Beat poets.
His prolific work made him wealthy and famous, but the critics were not particularly kind. As to why he took a long break starting in the '80s, "I was tired," he told the Chicago Tribune in 2001. "I peaked. I left when I was on top." Below, you can watch McKuen sing "Seasons in the Sun," his translation of Brel's "Le Moribond" and a hit for Terry Jacks in 1974. —Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
6 scenic white water rafting destinations to get your heart racing
The Week Recommends Have a rip-roaring time on the water
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Dangerous substances in Lunchables are raising concerns over children's health
In the Spotlight High levels of lead and sodium were recently found in the snack packages
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Fired art
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published