R.I.P. Adam West

So sad to hear about this.

He was awesome as Batman, and he was hilarious on Family Guy.

R.I.P. Adam West.

My Adam West story:

Back in '94 or '95 my brother and I went to a rock n roll/TV/movie memorabilia convention where the special guests were Adam West and Ace Frehley. We had met Mr. West a year or so previously at a book signing for his autobiography "Back To The Batcave" and he had been totally cool. Ace was the only original KISS member I'd never met, so I was looking forward to that as well.

Ace arrived late and clearly did not want to be there. He looked hung over and was not friendly to the fans at all - he didn't say hi, didn't shake hands, hell, he didn't even LOOK UP at you, he just signed whatever you put in front of him and you were hustled away. I'm a KISS fan but after that experience I was like "Wow, what a friggin' douche."

Adam West, on the other hand, was a class act, as we'd expected. He answered our fanboy questions, signed all kinds of memorabilia, posed for pics, etc.

During our brief chat with him, my brother asked Mr. West if he'd had a chance to meet Ace Frehley, and Adam said (in that awesome, fatherly Batman tone of voice) "Yes, I did... is he OK? I mean, is he all right in the head?" When we laughed and said "That's why he's the Space Ace," Adam shook his head and sighed, "Is THAT what they call him?" ...we were dyin'.

Later in the day there was a big fuss at Ace Frehley's table because some guy brought his guitar for Ace to autograph, but he wouldn't sign it. The guy then walked to Adam West's table, had HIM sign the guitar, then held it up and yelled loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, "HEY ACE! WHO NEEDS YOU? I GOT F**KIN' BATMAN ON HERE!", flipped him the bird, and stormed out. The place went nuts.

From that day on, Batman > Ace Frehley in my book.

R.I.P. Mr. West. Thanks for the fanboy moment.

I don't know what Adam West did beyond Batman, but that show was still cool.

I used to watch the Batman reruns as a kid in the 80's. DIdn't think too much of them, though superheroes were always cool. Only later on did I discover how the show works on so many levels. It's camp and amazing.

The bigger coincidence here is that they've been showing these again on one of the local channels, and my 3-year-old caught a glimpse of an episode yesterday and was singing the theme and talking about Batman all day today. He insisted on a Batman story last night as a bedtime story. Prior to last night, he hardly even knew Batman existed. Such a strange thing for me since I haven't really seen Adam West in like decades, and then suddenly I watch an episode with my son, and the next day Adam West is dead.

Fat Freddy wrote:

My Adam West story:

Back in '94 or '95 my brother and I went to a rock n roll/TV/movie memorabilia convention where the special guests were Adam West and Ace Frehley. We had met Mr. West a year or so previously at a book signing for his autobiography "Back To The Batcave" and he had been totally cool. Ace was the only original KISS member I'd never met, so I was looking forward to that as well.

Ace arrived late and clearly did not want to be there. He looked hung over and was not friendly to the fans at all - he didn't say hi, didn't shake hands, hell, he didn't even LOOK UP at you, he just signed whatever you put in front of him and you were hustled away. I'm a KISS fan but after that experience I was like "Wow, what a friggin' douche."

Adam West, on the other hand, was a class act, as we'd expected. He answered our fanboy questions, signed all kinds of memorabilia, posed for pics, etc.

During our brief chat with him, my brother asked Mr. West if he'd had a chance to meet Ace Frehley, and Adam said (in that awesome, fatherly Batman tone of voice) "Yes, I did... is he OK? I mean, is he all right in the head?" When we laughed and said "That's why he's the Space Ace," Adam shook his head and sighed, "Is THAT what they call him?" ...we were dyin'.

Later in the day there was a big fuss at Ace Frehley's table because some guy brought his guitar for Ace to autograph, but he wouldn't sign it. The guy then walked to Adam West's table, had HIM sign the guitar, then held it up and yelled loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, "HEY ACE! WHO NEEDS YOU? I GOT F**KIN' BATMAN ON HERE!", flipped him the bird, and stormed out. The place went nuts.

From that day on, Batman > Ace Frehley in my book.

R.I.P. Mr. West. Thanks for the fanboy moment.

Great story FF!

My only Adam West story is that like every child of the 60s I grew up as a Batman fanboy. I had Batman puzzles, games, posters, models...you name it. I thought Batman was sooooo cool.

It wasn't until years later when I caught some episodes on cable that I realized how deliberately campy and hilarious the show was.

Even now as a HUGE fan of the "Gotham" TV series, I keep comparing the characters from Gotham to the same characters in the "Batman" I grew up with. Obviously there really is no comparison because Gotham is much more true to the dark source material but I still find it interesting to compare "Riddlers", "Penguins", "Catwomen", "Alfreds", etc between the two shows.

RIP Mr. West. You were definitely a 60s TV icon.

Required Fields wrote:

So sad to hear about this.

Not exactly a tragedy.

Adam was 88, and lived a (glorious) full life. Not necessarily a "sad" way to go, really. I mean, I feel envious of the bloke. That's a good life. I'm sorry people have to die, but his life's work was essentially done. It's not sad like when people in their 20s go.

Anyway, his life should be celebrated. Adam West was a cult hero and an icon. And I love that story by FF, too.

The best Batman ever!!!

Fat Freddy wrote:

My Adam West story:

Back in '94 or '95 my brother and I went to a rock n roll/TV/movie memorabilia convention where the special guests were Adam West and Ace Frehley. We had met Mr. West a year or so previously at a book signing for his autobiography "Back To The Batcave" and he had been totally cool. Ace was the only original KISS member I'd never met, so I was looking forward to that as well.

Ace arrived late and clearly did not want to be there. He looked hung over and was not friendly to the fans at all - he didn't say hi, didn't shake hands, hell, he didn't even LOOK UP at you, he just signed whatever you put in front of him and you were hustled away. I'm a KISS fan but after that experience I was like "Wow, what a friggin' douche."

Adam West, on the other hand, was a class act, as we'd expected. He answered our fanboy questions, signed all kinds of memorabilia, posed for pics, etc.

During our brief chat with him, my brother asked Mr. West if he'd had a chance to meet Ace Frehley, and Adam said (in that awesome, fatherly Batman tone of voice) "Yes, I did... is he OK? I mean, is he all right in the head?" When we laughed and said "That's why he's the Space Ace," Adam shook his head and sighed, "Is THAT what they call him?" ...we were dyin'.

Later in the day there was a big fuss at Ace Frehley's table because some guy brought his guitar for Ace to autograph, but he wouldn't sign it. The guy then walked to Adam West's table, had HIM sign the guitar, then held it up and yelled loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, "HEY ACE! WHO NEEDS YOU? I GOT F**KIN' BATMAN ON HERE!", flipped him the bird, and stormed out. The place went nuts.

From that day on, Batman > Ace Frehley in my book.

R.I.P. Mr. West. Thanks for the fanboy moment.

I read this yesterday when you posted it on FB. Such a great story!!!

nevermore wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

My Adam West story:

Back in '94 or '95 my brother and I went to a rock n roll/TV/movie memorabilia convention where the special guests were Adam West and Ace Frehley. We had met Mr. West a year or so previously at a book signing for his autobiography "Back To The Batcave" and he had been totally cool. Ace was the only original KISS member I'd never met, so I was looking forward to that as well.

Ace arrived late and clearly did not want to be there. He looked hung over and was not friendly to the fans at all - he didn't say hi, didn't shake hands, hell, he didn't even LOOK UP at you, he just signed whatever you put in front of him and you were hustled away. I'm a KISS fan but after that experience I was like "Wow, what a friggin' douche."

Adam West, on the other hand, was a class act, as we'd expected. He answered our fanboy questions, signed all kinds of memorabilia, posed for pics, etc.

During our brief chat with him, my brother asked Mr. West if he'd had a chance to meet Ace Frehley, and Adam said (in that awesome, fatherly Batman tone of voice) "Yes, I did... is he OK? I mean, is he all right in the head?" When we laughed and said "That's why he's the Space Ace," Adam shook his head and sighed, "Is THAT what they call him?" ...we were dyin'.

Later in the day there was a big fuss at Ace Frehley's table because some guy brought his guitar for Ace to autograph, but he wouldn't sign it. The guy then walked to Adam West's table, had HIM sign the guitar, then held it up and yelled loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, "HEY ACE! WHO NEEDS YOU? I GOT F**KIN' BATMAN ON HERE!", flipped him the bird, and stormed out. The place went nuts.

From that day on, Batman > Ace Frehley in my book.

R.I.P. Mr. West. Thanks for the fanboy moment.

I read this yesterday when you posted it on FB. Such a great story!!!

I read this as well yesterday and I must concur, that's a great story. I think that I remember you mentioning something about this story before on this site? It might have been an Ace Frehley discussion? Regardless, I was laughing my ass off, all the while hearing the late Adam West's voice, while he interacted with yourself and your brother. It's occurred to me that most funny stories you mention on here, also include your brother!

^^ I'm sure I probably told that story around here before; it's one of my favorites

Quote :

It's occurred to me that most funny stories you mention on here, also include your brother!

Yeah, my bro and I had quite a few interesting adventures back in the day; that's what happens when you're both total dorks with no girlfriends. It frees up lots of time to hang out in record stores, comic book stores, go to concerts, movies, conventions, etc., etc.

Never one to shy away from making fun of himself (Newsradio, Family Guy, Fairly Oddparents), he was a class act!

That's a great story Freddy!
R.I.P Mr West, you will always be THE Batman to me.

RIP Mr. West. Like the rest of you, he was THE Batman to me. I loved the show as a kid and never missed it. Hell, I sometimes watch it late night Saturdays. Plus he was great in everything else he was in.

My Adam West/Batman story pales in comparison to Freddy's, but I too met the man albeit many, many years ago.

It was at a car show in the mid-70's. I'm pretty sure there exists a pic of me with Adam West and Burt Ward in costume. There were a couple a people dressed as Cornelius and Zira from 'Planet of the Apes' there too, but according to my mom, I was too scared to go near them for a pic.

Farewell, Mr. West. Thanks for the memories. You were THE Batman.

I think I remember that he wanted a part in one of the Tim Burton Batman movies.

One of my favorite Adam West guest appearances:

Pure West...

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Pure West...

When my bro and I first met Adam in the early 90s, we told him that we'd really liked his appearance on "The Simpsons," and he said "That was one of the most fun things I've gotten to do."

That's the Mr. Plow episode, isn't it? Classic!

Los Angeles honored Adam West last night. This is pretty cool news.


http://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/bat-signal-lights-up-los-angeles-in-tribute-to-adam-west/ar-BBCKlMP?li=BBnb7Kz

007 wrote:

Los Angeles honored Adam West last night. This is pretty cool news.


http://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/bat-signal-lights-up-los-angeles-in-tribute-to-adam-west/ar-BBCKlMP?li=BBnb7Kz

I saw that on the national news. Very cool.