gil scott-heron dies

'Godfather of rap' dies

Gil Scott-Heron, known as a musical pioneer, passed away in New York at age 62.  Scott-Heron first gained fame in the late 1960s for his poetry and spoken word performances.  He also published two books and recorded four albums in the mid-1970s.  Much of his work reflected his struggles with drugs and alcohol.  There's no word on the cause of his death.