Dear all: I’ve been working on a new book for the past few years, which will explain my silence. It’s about the deeper roots of the Haight Ashbury and the ‘60s counterculture, going back to the poets and abstract expressionist painters of the ‘40s, then all kinds of ‘50s culture … [Read more...]
Another Opening, Another Show…
Well, at least another show. I'll be at the Lone Star Book Festival in Houston, TX, April 9th. And since I've been silent for so long, I thought I'd use that occasion to share a couple of things that have come my way of late. One is this video someone recently sent me of a talk I did on Jerry … [Read more...]
On Highway 61 wins prestigious ASCAP music writing award!
I once got nominated for a Grammy for the liner notes I wrote for a big G.D. box set, and a) was positive I wouldn’t win and b) thought that getting nominated was a real victory. Really. But I don’t recall ever winning an award-type award…until now. So in the music world, among the most … [Read more...]
What I was so mysterious about
I mentioned in an earlier post that I had some news that I could not yet reveal because it wasn't my announcement to make. The Jerry Garcia Estate and Hachette Publishers made the announcement this morning. As you might guess, my interviews with Jerry (mostly in the '80s, one from the '70s) were … [Read more...]
Making Great Music — Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia
Today the Songwriter's Hall of Fame will induct, among several others, Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia into their exalted ranks. The Daily Beast asked me to write about them. They had a remarkable relationship, and it turned into a very interesting assignment. I touch on their time together in … [Read more...]
B.B. King, the Last Giant, Leaves Us
I’m still learning about this blogging thing, to put it mildly. Writing is fairly hard work (well, it ain’t digging ditches, but it takes effort), and I like to be lazy. So when word came that B.B. King had finished his run on the planet, I didn’t automatically say, “Ah hah, I have a column!” as so … [Read more...]
Moremoremore
I’ve been slow – nothing new there – to catch up on sharing this material with you, mostly because every time I think it’s time to catch up, I become aware of more coming. But now in the new year it seems to be slowing down a little, and it really is time to bring you all up to date. Boy, it adds up … [Read more...]
Almost Embarrassing…but I’ll Try Not to Blush
The reviews of On Highway 61 are coming in, and they’re almost embarrassingly positive. Check ‘em out…two from the Austin Chronicle and Santa Fe New Mexican. There’s also a really nice piece about the writing of the book from the San Francisco Chronicle, Music historian retraces Highway 61 from … [Read more...]
A Superb Review and a Visit to West Marin
It’s nice to get good reviews, but it’s even better to get a review from a complete stranger that suggests the reviewer really understands what you’re after. Ron Jacobs is that guy. Read his article at Counterpunch.org, Going Down to Highway 61, Again. If you’re not already sick of my voice, … [Read more...]
More of Everything
I’ve probably said this elsewhere, but I guess it bears repeating. My first two books had subjects that were so polarizing that I found myself generally getting reviews that weren’t of my book but of the subject; if they hated Kerouac, they hated my book, if they loved the GD they loved the book, … [Read more...]