I consider George Carlin one of the greatest comedians of all time.
Observational comedy was his forte, and for that I put him in the same league and short list as Mark Twain, Will Rogers, and Lenny Bruce.
I bought my first George Carlin album in the early 70's, and my friends and I would laugh for hours at his irreverent but insightful monologues and rants. I always loved turning people onto George Carlin for the first time.
He was a great writer too. I loved reading George Carlin's books. Generally I would be on a flight to somewhere, when I would pick up one of his books at the airport bookstand, and I would bust out in gut-splitting laughs on the plane, causing those around me to glance at me with disdain - that is until I would read a passage out aloud to them, and soon our entire section was erupting in laughter in unison.
I will miss his sweet curmodgeonly style - George Carlin could be absolutely caustic in ripping down the shrines of propriety, but he always had a glint in his eye - that of a person who in reality had a great deal of love and compassion inside his heart.
I will sincerely miss him...
RIP George Carlin, and thank you for the many laughs and sharp observations that you provided me with over several decades...
ADG