You've got to respect Silverstein for his incredible diversity: the man was equally adept at cranking out ribald erotica for Playboy as he was at creating classic children's literature. His career as a gravel-voiced folk singer never earned him quite as much acclaim, but you'd be surprised just how many folks owe him a huge debt. Johnny Cash, Marianne Faithfull and Diamanda Galas have all paid him homage by covering his eloquent story-songs.
