R.I.P. shock artist Joe ‘Christ’ Linhart (1957-2009)
June 23rd, 2009 by Web Editor in Music news
Joe "Christ" Linhart in Manila (May 2009) (Photo courtesy Felisa Villanueva)
By Jason Hatcher
Joe “Christ” Linhart
6/18/57 – 6/21/09
Underground filmmaker, musician and artist Joe Linhart (better known as Joe Christ) passed away on Father’s Day during the evening hours of June 21 in his Dekalb County home. According to toxicology reports released to his family today, Linhart died of a heart attack in his sleep.
Born in Washington D.C., Linhart relocated to Atlanta during the late 1990s following a nomadic lifestyle of producing shock art that made him a respected regular within underground scenes New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, and such far away locales as Manila in the Philippines.
During his Atlanta years, Linhart regularly worked with the shock website Consumption Junction and was a former guest artist with the the Dragon*Con festival. All the while, he released a steady stream of independent films, including 2005’s That’s Just Wrong! co-starring Atlanta sex author and mistress Dolores French, and other rousing titles including Amy Strangled a Small Child (1998) and Acid Is Groovy Kill the Pigs (1993). In addition to his film and visual art productions, Linhart also produced an equally balanced collection of rock recordings with such acts as Joe Christ and the Healing Faith (see interview), and Los Reactors.
Famous for wearing black T-shirts and jeans accented by macho tattoos upon his forearms, Linhart may have appeared menacing at first glance but upon further inspection most people discovered a truly kind soul and passionate artist. He was a father and friend whose untimely death leaves countless people in shock. But would Joe Christ have had it any other way?
Joe Christ playing with Los Reactors at the Crystal Pistol in Tulsa, Okla. (1983) (Photo courtesy Cynthia Hands)
According to his eldest son Alan, he was famous for his dark sense of humor: “I was talking to my Dad’s friend Roy and he told me as bad as I am feeling, Dad is probably laughing his ass off because what a better way to go than to die in your sleep of a heart attack on Father’s Day.”
Linhart had recently been living between Atlanta and Manila and was preparing for a return trip to the Philippines on July 2, where he had an art opening scheduled for July 3. Consumption Junction’s relocation opened the door for Linhart’s earlier travels to Manila where he’d begun to make an impression on yet another city’s underground scene.
Not only was Linhart hosting regular art and film exhibits in the Philippines, he was in pre-production with a Filipino television show entitled “Hey Joe!” in which he would serve as the primary writer, producer and host.
Linhart’s son Alan is currently producing a tribute album for Scrape Records in Baltimore. Artists and friends of Linhart are invited to send demos to Alan Linhart c/o Scrape Records, 1824 North Forest Court, Apt. A. Crofton, Md. 21114.
Joe “Christ” Linhart is survived by his parents Joseph and Marilyn of St. Petersburg, Fla., sons Alan Linhart (34, Baltimore), Eric Abner (23, Dallas, Texas.), 7-year-old granddaughter Zöe Linhart, along with four sisters and one brother. A private funeral will be held tomorrow in north Atlanta.
Note: Post edited for accuracy. We’ve also closed comments on this thread and removed several posts that were in violation of our comment policy.
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Joe, you are missed.
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:57 pm
The 2nd photo of Joe you have posted (at the Crystal Pistol) is mine, and was likely snagged from facebook (The group honoring Joe’s memory), where I posted it for the first time today. (BTW, Joe was known as Joe Danger back then, not Christ) Of course I don’t mind you using it, but please acknowledge that it is mine by stating photo 2 courtesy of Cynthia Hands. Thanks
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:00 pm
I am very shocked and saddened to hear the news, Joe was a close friend and we talked regularly on FB. I will miss him.
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:25 pm
A friend texted me today about Joe Christ dying. We lived in Dallas in the 1980s as SMU kids. Joe was very cool to us. I guess we got to know him seeing his band play, and I think I had a cassette that I used to listen to a lot. I remember going to his apartment one time for some reason. I had wondered at times over the years what happened to Joe Christ. May he rest in peace!
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:46 pm
It was a delight re-mastering Joe’s films for DVD, as well as getting to co-produce “That’s Just Wrong!” with him… My condolences to Joe’s family… It saddens me that there will be no more jolly editing sessions around the Macintosh, complete with Mu Shu Pork from the Golden Bowl (a restaurant name that our mutual fondness for 6th grade potty humor led to many a snicker regarding “golden” and “bowl.” Pleasant journey, my friend… I will see you in time,
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:24 pm
“Not only was Linhart hosting regular art and film exhibits in the Philippines” Not true. But He was a regular guest to art exhibit openings here and a friend of many artists in Cubao, Metro Manila
June 25th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
RIP Joe, I used to see Joe around Dallas back in the punk days. He seemed a good sort and was great at self promotion. Will have to check out some of his films again.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:43 am
Joe is such a wonderful person people from his neighbor like him a whole lot, Joe always get a free beer from those guys sitting from the eatery were he lives…if he try to pay they will say “WALANG PROBLEMA KAMI BAHALA SAYO” witch means no problem we will take care of you. Joe is always ready to share his thoughts to every body make people laugh no dull moment if his around and plus Joe always give his dance move if I’m not in the mood… I’m going to miss everything about him i love him so much… people who know him here in manila specially from his neighbor still shock form this tragedy news about his sudden death… I will bring the memories that we shared
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH JOE!
June 27th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Don’t even know what to say. Just that he was always a very good guy to me, his art and film is incredible.I wasn’t around him as much as I would have liked but we did some shows together and I can honestly say I never remember him having a bad word for anyone. That’s a rarity in today’s world.
R.I.P.
June 27th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
I had known Joe for 25 years. I scarcely ever saw him not in a good mood. Everyone remembers the vaguely Tex Avery – ish laugh that followed any “Dirty” joke or reference to something naughty. I still think the funniest story I recall was when he was booking shows at The Nairobi Room for a short time , sporting his new crown of thorns – even when he was’nt performing. He’d laid out several of his favorite sleazy scandal rags for patrons to read , like at the Dentist’s office! He showed me the headline “Mother sells baby for two beers” . “Gee ” , he said , “I hope they were IMPORTS!”. The Clown Prince of The Dallas ’80s Underground Scene” , and much more. The last time I saw him , two years ago , he seemed to be in a good place , but , I’m convinced he’s in a better place , now. If there’s a Heaven , the self – righteous “Christian ” Right that he lampooned so well may have to go thru Joe to get to St. Peter (Huh huh , you said…) Best , John Battles , Chicago.
June 28th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
This is Sebastien, who was the female lead in That’s Just Wrong.
The info about his funeral is wrong. There was no Atlanta funeral, just a small memorial in Tampa for his family.
He was cremated and taken there.
Unfortunately, his friends and loved ones did not get such an opportunity to say goodbye to Joe in Atlanta.