HARD AND ALL as it is to imagine being anything but in awe of the late Anthony Bourdain, there was a time when Josh Homme’s daughter, Camille, was utterly raging with him.
In a Twitter message posted today, the Queens of the Stone Age frontman recalled a time when, as part of a TV show, Anthony Bourdain smashed Josh’s guitar against a tree – an incident which left Josh’s child pretty rattled.
Upon hearing of Camille’s distress, Anthony wrote the child a letter, which Josh shared online last night, in a post which reminded the public of the deep sense of empathy and wry sense of humour which made the TV chef truly one of a kind.
Acknowledging Anthony’s own daughter Ariane in the post, Josh paid tribute to the 11-year-old.
Tony, I miss you bad. Once, Camille was so mad at you. She was defending me. & So were you. Ariane, this was your father. Humbly yours, Joshua.
Tony, I miss you bad. Once, Camille was so mad at you. She was defending me. & So were you. Ariane, this was your father. Humbly yours, Joshua pic.twitter.com/sR3mwO5WBI
— QOTSA (@qotsa) June 29, 2018
Anthony’s letter is lengthy, detailed and just so classic Bourdain.
After acknowledging Camille’s upset and explaining that the guitar was simply a prop and his friendship with Josh deep and unwavering, Anthony recalled a ribald moment in his shared past with the musician.
I like your daddy so much, that when an obnoxious superfan of mine at a magical place called Pappy and Harriet’s got up in Daddy’s face – had your Daddy not gently guided him by the thorax to the welcoming arms of security – I would have broken my beer glass across the man’s skull and then jabbed the jagged remnants into ****ing neck. That’s the kind of guy I am. I had your Daddy’s back – just like he had mine. You will learn about these things later – possibly in grammar school.
Anthony finished the letter with more praise for Camille’s father before (naturally) ending with a dig at his mate.
Life, for you, is still filled with hope and promise. Yes, Daddy seems to be drinking a lot of Tequila on the show. But he never got drunk. Not that I saw anyway. He is a pretty good cook too – though this is something you surely know by now. I cook my daughter grilled cheese sandwiches. What does your Daddy cook you?
Many Twitter users had the same poignant response to the letter.
It’s impossible to read this and not hear Anthony’s voice
— Nicole Simone (@nicolesimone) June 29, 2018
Oh my god. I just realized I did read it in his voice. I’m so sad and heartbroken again!
— JO 🌈 (@stylesayoade) June 30, 2018
I read this in Anthony's voice in my head.
— Black Hebrew Doll (@KateBarbieDoll) June 29, 2018
Not sure how it is possible to miss someone you never met, but dammit, I do! @Bourdain was a one of a kind and for me and my family, we mourn his loss. Much love to his friends and family.
— Be Best Witch Hunter! (@thundermccrackn) June 30, 2018
#Amazing. I wish more people were as honest and upfront in the way they speak to children. You'd be surprised that some are way ahead of the curve. #RIP #AnthonyBourdain
— IZNTREAL aka William Landrum (@izntreal) June 30, 2018
