If you know the awesome show EASTBOUND AND DOWN, then you might be interested to discover the namesake of the title character is a Canadian stunt man from the 1970's. Briefly famous for perhaps the dumbest stunt in the history of dumb stunts, Powers attempted to cross the St. Lawrence River, by air, in a banana yellow Lincoln Continental.
There are many juicy tidbits to consider here - how did he raise a million (1970) dollars for such a obviously flawed concept? How did he break his back seven times previously? Where is he now? Was it his last stunt? Why did his car not make it? Well, that last one answers itself. But the question looms, has anyone ever done something this incredible and why, as Canadians, don't we all know the Kenny Powers name? Heck, this guy should be a household name in Korea, let alone his home province. This guy should be a legend and you'd have to imagine, that what drove him into that car was the idea that make it or no, he was going to be a remembered for all of time, beyond the cozy confines of blogs (like this) dedicated to such behavior.
What's a more spectacular failure - his abbreviated jump or our collective ignorance to this seminal event?
Further, one must acknowledge the pure Canadian-ness of such a feat. Nowhere else is self deprecating a finely tuned art like it is in Ontario. Fuck, I get homesick just thinking about it.
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2 comments:
Well... that's very interessting but honestly i have a hard time understanding it... wonder what others have to say..
Canadians have always lived on the extremes because of the cold weather. People must stay indoors so they do the comedy. When the Spring comes - they do the stunts. I think it's all weather related. Just look at other cultures along our latitude. Share similar traits. I would also like to acknowledge and congratulate Mr.Levine on such a fine post. This wonderful Canadian stuntman attempted the impossible - and in spectacular and unforeseen fashion - failed. What of his legacy? There should be campfire songs about the original Kenneth Powers. There should be church sing-a-longs and stamps and currency commerating his feat and visage. I'm glad his name will live on with Eastbound and Down but more should be done to give this guy his due. I mean - take a look at the RAMP! Take a look at the CAR! (I love the puff of smoke that comes out when he fires the thing up). This guy deserves more credit and more acclamation.
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