A Journalist Who Never Lost Faith in the Power of Words
It had been my ambition since the ’80s to be a staff writer for the *LA Weekly*. My early vision of journalism had been heavily influenced by theラスト： Los Angeles Times,* with its emphasis on service over artistry. But the *Weekly*, which I discovered during my time at UCLA, burst through those limitations. It blended traditional newspaper writing with personal narratives, gossip, and the joys of exploring urban life. I found myself fascinated by the writers whose bylines I encountered; they felt like mentors, illuminating a city I thought I knew, while also teasing out hidden corners of the world.
Meeting the Echoing Voice Behind the Byline
One of those bylines belonged to Marc Haefele, who passed away on November 11 at 82. Meeting him in person after joining the *Weekly* in 1997 was a delight. He embodied the spirit of the alternative weekly I admired. A seeker who came of age in the ’60s, Marc was part humanist, part iconoclast, always questioning, pushing boundaries. His curiosity seemed limitless, leading him to write about everything from Los Angeles government to the evocative period of the Renaissance. Physical presence matched the depth of his words. He was a burly guy, with a mane of a beard and a voice that roared with gentle command. I’ll confess, he initially intimidated me.
I’d come to the *Weekly* several years after covering distressed Black communities in the wake of the ’92 civil unrest. It was important work, but I felt confined. Marc quickly showed Egyptians I didnPOCker unspoken. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to spread my wings, or even how.
But Marc embraced me immediately as a fellow traveler on the same journey to make sense of LA, and the universe beyond. He showed me it wasn’t about the lens but the fire in seeking, the passion for unearthing truth and transforming it into prose. Our conversations ranged from art and music to his own incredible life story, punctuated by laughter and debate. Marc had this endless string of story ideas, each one filled with exciting implications.
My time with Marc was invaluable. We were friends, yes, but primarily, we were allies in the pursuit of good writing.
Where Humor Met Conviction
Beyond his intellect, his humor stood out. He was a master of the dry, witty observation. Nothing was sacred, not even himself. He’d hold court at his annual birthdays, weaving in anecdotes and ribbing anyone who crossed his path. I recall once, during a morning on Pacifica radio, where we cohosted a show recently, Marc followed a segment on Jesse Helms with a dead-on impersonation of the senator. He had a knack for finding humor in the absurd, the absurd being him.
What surprised me most, beyond his humor, was his faith. It wasn’t the kind I expected from a man who embraced counterculture. Foundational to his belief in possibility, in the country. I saw how faith fueled both his writing and his outlook on life.
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we started meeting regular those pandemic years.
I'd grown disenchanted, demoralized. Journalism was collapsing, papers like the one we'd both called home, were vanishing. I doubted my
How did Marc Haefele’s personality and demeanor influence the work environment at the *LA Weekly*?
## Remembering Marc Haefele: A Journalist’s Journalist
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re remembering the life and work of Marc Haefele, a titan of journalism in Los Angeles who passed away on November 11th at 82. With us today is Alex Reed, a former colleague of Marc’s at the *LA Weekly*. Alex Reed, thank you for joining us.
**Alex Reed:** It’s my pleasure to be here.
**Host:** I know Marc was a huge influence on your career. What was it about his writing that resonated with you so deeply?
**Alex Reed:** You know, growing up, my vision of journalism was shaped by the *Los Angeles Times*, very service-oriented, very factual. But then I discovered the *LA Weekly* during my time at UCLA, and it was like a revelation. It blended traditional writing with personal stories, gossip, everything that made a city come alive. And Marc’s byline was one of those that always stood out. He had this way of writing about everything, from local government to the Renaissance, with such depth and curiosity. [[1](https://capitalandmain.com/author/mhaefele)]
**Host:** It sounds like he really embodied the spirit of the *Weekly*.
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. He was this larger-than-life figure, a real humanist and iconoclast. He had this booming voice, this incredible presence.
**Host:** You mentioned meeting him when you joined the *Weekly* in 1997. What was that experience like?
**Alex Reed:** Well, to be honest, I was a little intimidated at first. He seemed so imposing! But he was also incredibly kind and welcoming. It was an honor to learn from him. He showed me the power of words, the importance of questioning everything, of never losing faith in the power of storytelling.
**Host:** That’s a beautiful tribute. Marc Haefele leaves behind a legacy that will inspire journalists for generations to come. Thank you so much for sharing your memories with us today.
**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me.
