Remembering Bill Gaines

I was remiss in not posting this yesterday, which marked the 28th anniversary of the passing of MAD founder and publisher William M. Gaines.

I never met Bill. I got my first print assignment from MAD exactly 20 years ago this month. That was eight years after Bill’s passing. MAD has evolved a lot since Bill died, but back in those days the magazine was still very much the “Gaines” MAD, being run by Nick Meglin and John Ficarra, with editors Joe Raiola and Charlie Kadau… even Lenny “The Beard” Brenner was still about doing art production. Then newly minted art director Sam Viviano had been a freelancer with MAD for almost 20 years by then, so he also knew Bill well. In other words, everyone on staff knew and worked directly with Bill, some for decades. His “stamp” (figuratively as well as real… see pic below) was still very much alive and all over the magazine.

I enjoyed all the stories told about him from so many of the people that knew him so well, especially from long-time writer and close friend of Bill, Dick DeBartolo. I may hold the dubious distinction of being the longest tenured and most prolific member of the “Usual Gang of Idiots” that never met Bill. That has always made me sad. There are many stories of how freelancers would hand deliver their art to the offices, not just to pick up the check that Bill would immediately write to them in payment, but to hear him laugh over their work. Most of the “Usual Gang” I talked to say that was what they looked forward to the most about turning in a job. I will always be sorry I never got that opportunity.

So, rest in peace, Mr. Gaines. The world could sure benefit from hearing your laugh right now.