Bruce Douglas McCrae
Bruce Douglas Mccrae
Bruce Douglas McCrae, widely known as Rudy Cheeks, passed away at age 76 on September 19 from natural causes. A native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, McCrae was a multifaceted figure in the state’s cultural scene, recognized as a musician, columnist, radio personality, comedian, and community emcee. He co-founded the bands Fabulous Motels and the Young Adults in the 1970s, groups noted for their blend of musicianship, satire, and comedy, and both were inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame in 2016 alongside McCrae himself. Beyond music, he gained fame for his satirical newspaper columns, especially “Phillipe and Jorge’s Cool Cool World,” which humorously critiqued Rhode Island’s establishment. His radio career included popular shows such as “Fox and Cheeks,” and he served as Director of Radio for a nonprofit reading service for the visually impaired. On television, McCrae hosted the cable access show “Club Genius,” and he created the “Comediac” persona, providing live comedic commentary on cult horror films. Known for his wit and community spirit, he was a frequent volunteer emcee for local charities. Despite a stroke in 2016, he remained connected to friends and family, including his former wife Susan Murphy, who cared for him until his passing.
Bruce Douglas McCrae, conocido en Rhode Island como Rudy Cheeks, falleció el 19 de septiembre a los 76 años por causas naturales. Nacido en Pawtucket, fue una figura emblemática de la escena cultural y underground del estado, destacándose como músico, columnista, locutor de radio, comediante y productor. En 1970, cofundó la banda Fabulous Motels, seguida por Young Adults, ambas influyentes en la región y reconocidas por su combinación de música, sátira y humor escénico. En 2016, ambas agrupaciones y McCrae fueron incluidos en el Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame.
Además de su carrera musical, McCrae colaboró durante décadas en la columna satírica “Phillipe and Jorge’s Cool Cool World”, que criticaba con humor a la élite local, y trabajó en radio desde los años 80, destacando programas como “Fox and Cheeks”. También condujo el programa de acceso público “Club Genius” y creó la icónica figura de “Comediac”, presentando películas consideradas malas con comentarios irónicos en bares locales.
Reconocido por su ingenio y carisma, Bruce McCrae fue un activo participante en eventos benéficos y políticos. Estuvo casado con Susan Murphy, quien lo cuidó tras un derrame cerebral en 2016. Su legado perdura en la cultura alternativa de Rhode Island.
