Singing Chipmunk Dead at 58

After a five-year battle with AIDS, Simon Seville passed away on October 9th. He was fifty-eight (in human years).

Seville was one third of the famous "Alvin and the Chipmunks" singing trio, the most widely known cartoon act in the entertainment business. In Spring 1958, the group scored a major hit with "The Witch Doctor", followed by "The Chipmunk Song (or "Christmas Don't Be Late") that fall.

Alvin and the Chipmunks became megastars with their own hit TV show in 1961. Their success was compounded with several follow-up TV series, recordings and personal appearances. Licensing deals, negotiated by their human father, netted the group millions of dollars in the early sixties. It seemed everything they touched turned to Chipmunk gold.

However, in the 1970's, their popularity began to sink, and things began to unravel. In 1972, Theodore was busted for smuggling dope from Mexico and served six months in federal prison. Alvin, unaccustomed to being out of the limelight, took to boozing heavily and in 1974, was arrested for DUI. A few months later, the former leader of the trio was charged with domestic abuse. Then in Fall 1976, the three chipmunks sued former manager and "Dad" David Seville for misuse of funds and embezzlement. The case was settled out of court, but Dad was out.

With this bedlam taking place, Simon, the "thoughtful" chipmunk, came out of the closet. He held a press conference in June 1977, informing his fans that he was gay.

Friends and family reacted to the news sympathetically with the exception of Alvin who accused Simon of being a "fruit" and a "nut gatherer". Friends close to Simon said he was hurt deeply by Alvin's cruelty. The brothers became estranged, with Theodore acting as the go-between on several occasions. They grudgingly reconciled to eke out a meager living on the nightclub circuit.

The trio that had once been coined the "Cartoon Kings of America", were now working lounges to make ends meet. Occasionally, they were booked as a novelty act in Vegas. Still, Alvin refused to sleep in the same room as Simon, complaining he could not sleep with his butt down all night, "for his protection".

Then in 2003, Simon was diagnosed with the HIV virus and began taking medication to stave off the inevitable. Alvin went on record to say that this was a sign from God punishing Simon for his deviate behavior. Without the support of his brother, insiders say Simon was giving up.

However in 2005, the Chipmunks were offered a movie deal. Alvin, now desperate for cash, jumped at the offer. But Simon, barely able to keep his head upright, refused to participate if Alvin was involved. Alvin quickly apologized to Simon for his former actions, claiming he was under the influence of alcohol when he made the remarks. Friends of Simon claim Alvin was acting insincerely and made the apology just to get the gig. But Simon forgave his brother wholeheartedly, and the movie, which grossed over eighty million dollars, nearly brought the trio back to their former status.

But it was too late for Simon to enjoy the resurgence. Friends say that the movie took a lot out of him, and he collapsed two months after the film was released. His closest pals, Snagglepuss and Leonardo (of "Clyde Crashcup" fame), were at his deathbed, and wept as their friend passed gently to the next world.

"He was one hell of a rodent," whimpered Snagglepuss. "He held on to the end. That Alvin business took a lot out of him and I think in the end, he just gave up. Exit, stage north!"