As many (probably most) who regularly read this blog know by now, the great music-oriented blog Willard's Wormholes is no more. And for those wondering just what may have happened to it, let me reassure you that it was not closed or shut down by any outside forces. No, 'Willard' just decided on his own that 10 years was long enough, and that he wanted to move on. And not wanting to attract undue attention or hoopla to the closure, he just quickly and quietly closed down the site. So, it is gone now, and as far as anyone knows, not coming back anytime soon. So, let me join the chorus of voices in saying a hearty "Thank you Willard", for all you did through your Willard's Wormholes blog, and its predecessor, Never Get Out of The Boat, and best of luck to you in whatever endeavors you go into next. You've earned a big break.
I was one of those that followed his blog from its very beginning, and it had a big influence on me starting this little endeavor here a short while later. As all who frequented the site know, Willard's Wormholes was most certainly one of the very best ever, if not THE best ever music blog of its type. Not only did it provide downloads of a wide variety of music types, popular and obscure, from classic blues and jazz to mainstream pop and rock to eclectic under-appreciated artists to obscure soundtracks, demos, and experimental sounds and sessions, but Willard always provided insightful commentary, information, and opinions on the music and artists. In addition, the musical community that developed around the Wormholes was the best on the internet, providing useful, helpful, and worthwhile comments and background, and the thorough and abundant reader links that developed provided an additional treasure trove of musical goodies for all to enjoy. And even that was not all, as it also featured weekly streaming movies of classic (and not-so-classic) sci-fi/horror films, special music archives, and the ubiquitous 'wormholes' with special features not to be missed. I downloaded much from the site, and learned even more, expanding the depth and breadth of the artists I listened to (most of the Miles Davis and John Coltrane and other jazz artists I have came from Willard, and I first learned about artists like Big Star, Jellyfish, The Grays, and Golden Smog, who are now among my very favorites, from Willard's blog). So, yes, I owe Willard's blog and the resulting community quite a lot, as does countless other music fans. Willard's Wormholes is gone, but certainly not forgotten, and it will stand as a model for how truly great a music blog and its community can be. It will surely be missed and likely never replaced, but those of us involved in finding, enjoying, sharing, and spreading music to all interested parties, will continue to do what we can ensure that the music lives on. Here's to you, Willard, Thank You!
For those that want to add their own comments regarding Willard's Wormholes, a couple of blogs of close friends of Willards have established something of tribute pages that you can read and add your comments to, such as Jakartass' Music here and PowerPop blog here
26 comments:
Really well said. I too am mourning the loss of the wonderful Willard's Wormholes and took great delight in sharing his links and pointing folk in his direction as I do to BB's Chronicles too. The commentary on there, as you say, was always sensitive and apropos, informed and worth reading. I shall really really miss the blog
Probably the best way to do it. It's hard for me to mourn when I take a look at my hard drives bulging with all the wonderful material posted there. I have no doubt files with the Willard pedigree will be bouncing around the 'net for many years to come. I do appreciate the head's up. It wasn't like the blog was shut down, its simply disappeared. Nice to know it was a conscious decision that did't involve a death or other ill fated event.
He and his readers shared a lot of great music there. I already miss it terribly.
If Willard was feeling burnt out, I wish he would have considered a sabbatical.
Another great blog gone. Too bad, but he's earned his time off. Toast a glass to good health for Willard !
WW was truly a classic and I'm sad I won't be able to comb through and pull everything off that I've meant to. I wish there had been warning but I do understand how it is. Sometimes, you just have to pack up and leave without saying a word. RIP.
That being said, aside from the two links in the post, where else do people find material like what we saw on WW? I know there aren't many places that could compete, but the searching and sharing must never end! Haha
Here, here. Truer words were never spoken. Long live Willard!!
Thanks for the update - I've been trying to figure out what happened - Willard will be missed!
Hello from Paris, France
Very well explained, thanks for it. Willard was a good reference, for rarities and classic artists, lot of obscure or difficult to find. And very exhaustive. There's a hole on the musical web , now.
Gil
Willard did good work. He was kind enough to bring some tapes to a much broader audience than I could have done on my own. I am particularly proud that one of my Richard Thompson tapes made his "boxed set" of Thompson live shows.
Will definitely miss his stuff, If you look here Willard... be well
So sad. One of the best blogs ever. A source beyond comparison of great inspiration, reminders, hard-to-get-stuff and discovery - be well, Willard, what an awesome job you have done !
Does anyone have a link to the pdf of the readers links?
I feel honored that I was able to contribute a link or two to the site. Long Live Willard!
Seems like I spent the month of June continually hitting the home url and wondering what happened.
Long live Willard.
Thank you to everyone who generously opened up their archives.
I have PDFs of the original Readers Links as well as Son of Readers Links. I however am missing the most recent (to my memory) incarnation, titled Bride of Readers Links. Here's a link to those: www101[dot]zippyshare[dot]com/v/AKO4ujWJ/file[dot]html
I for one took his resources for granted. Kept meaning to come back to check out the Stones unplugged disk 2 or Sir Paul's unplugged as well. He kept it all interesting and water cooler esque. Music is fun to talk about, and we had the chance to do it here. Bless you Willard! Music is the best - FZ.
Johnny
Well... I was wondering what happened and, now, sadly, I know. Thanks for very much for the update. So sad to see so much irreplaceable music disappear, but thanks to Willard for hosting it all those years. I had a cat named Willard. He lived ten years, too.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Willard! So much great music, and so many great music discoveries! You will be missed, sir.
Count me among the many who (alas) only discovered Willard and his wonderful Wormholes in its last year of operation.
For as often as I relied upon it - and there were days it seemed I'd just backed up a truck and started loading up - there was no way I could have understood how deeply I would miss it. Until it was actually gone. Now here it is a YEAR later (!) and my sense of loss grows a little deeper by the day. I can only imagine what those of you who were aboard for the whole ten-year ride must feel.
And it's not the downloading I miss! It's the community, and the warm sense of comforting enclosure....like being home.
Does anyone know the password Willard used on his files? I found a bunch of RAR's I never extracted.
Through the Wayback Machine, Willard lives on. All of the article links -- halfway down on the right side -- are live:
https://web.archive.org/web/20160314224715/http://www.willardswormholes.com/?p=21960
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