Oregonian: Jim Spagg, whose nudity riled state, dies
Jim Spagg Has Passed Away 05/08/04 (jimspagg.com)
Probably one of the nicest, if not most interesting, people you'd ever meet. He was very passionate about his various artistic and political endeavors and one likely found his or herself respecting that, despite what mainstream society thought of those endeavors.
The infamous cable access show, where I got to know him, was merely one of the many avenues of self expression he embraced. He had a few different shows on cable access, but the ones in which he appeared nude catapulted him into becoming the local cultural icon whose popularity peaked in the early nineties. High school kids would have Spagg parties. Adults couldn't turn the channel. He was a poor man's Howard Stern - locally persecuted in much the same manner Stern is today by the FCC. Spagg fought for his right to be on cable access, standing behind the first amendment, and ultimately won. Nudity is an expression of speech in Oregon, and is protected(hence, the exorbitant amount of strip clubs in Portland). Spagg went off the air and later returned fully clothed, doing commentary, interviewing guests, and doing the Happy Feet dance.
Holy moly, Gargonzoli!
Happy Doodles!
Rest in peace James Spagnola.
