"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!" (Dr Hunter S Thompson) Words Leon lived by.
I am from Missouri, although I don't live anywhere near St. Louis, and I didn't grow up in the 70s and 80s, but he was/ still is a hero of mine.
That's amazing, but considering the similarity of their styles (only in the sense that both subjected themselves to extreme levels of punishment), it makes a lot of sense actually.