Beat Soundtrack #9: Heath Common

In which prominent Beat figures, writers and critics, historians and academics, fans and followers, talk about the relationship between that literary community and music

Heath Common is a songwriter, poet and performance artist from Northern England. I have known the man for almost 40 years and he and I have collaborated many times at festivals and other literary events discussing the Beats and particularly their influence on popular music. Common began his musical/spoken word career performing in New York City with mates who he had previously met in Britain: Robert Lockwood and Johnny  Shines – the stepson and close friend, respectively, of the legendary blues musician Robert Johnson. He was subsequently involved with a diverse number of musicians ranging from the American guitarist John Fahey to the British indie act the Rhythm Sisters. He continues to work closely with surviving figures from the Beat era and is a published poet. Next month, on February 4th, he MCs our UK centenary celebration Kerouac Lives!, an anniversary show featuring conversation and new songs, readings and the premiere of American Joyride, new US film.

What attracted you to the Beats? When did you first encounter them? Do you have a favourite text, novel or poetry?

From my early adolescence during the late 1960s I’d begun to hear the names of different Beat writers but it was only after seeing Soft Machine at a Proms concert at the Albert Hall in 1970 (and learning that they were named after a Burroughs novel) that I began digging deeper.

The more I investigated Burroughs the more I became increasingly more fascinated with his work. Furthermore, I began touring the USA as a performer during the mid-70s and just as I was about to set off on another cross-country jaunt a friend gave me a copy of On The Road and said, ‘Here, take this with you. It’ll mean a lot more to you as you’re crossing the States.’ She was right and I became hooked on Kerouac from then on.

What is the relationship between the Beat writers and music? How do you think that literary scene and musical sound connect(ed)?

I believe there is a strong connection between the Beat writers and music. I could cite many different examples of this but – for reasons of brevity – I’ll focus on the influences which respective Beat writers exerted upon different musical icons: Ginsberg and Kerouac on Dylan, Burroughs on Bowie, Kesey on the Grateful Dead and Beat writers in general on Tom Waits, Patti Smith, Donovan and so very many more.

It’s a cliche but I believe it nevertheless correct to claim that the respective works of those respected musical artists would be much more diluted without the influence of Beat culture in general.

As a musician, songwriter and poet have you been shaped or influenced by Beat experiences?

As a person I’ve definitely been massively influenced by Beat culture – not least by the philosophy of trying never to stand still and forever pursuing new directions.

During my working life I’ve been variously employed – amongst other things – as a journalist for national newspapers and publications, a songwriter, a recording artist, a secondary school headteacher, a broadcaster and a scaffolder.

I’m sure that without the influence of Beat culture I would not have tried to keep moving forward and moving on so obsessively.

Which musical artists from whichever era appear to make links with the Beat Generation – and how?

I’ve already mentioned Dylan, Bowie, Patti Smith, Tom Waits and Grateful Dead as examples of musical artists with a close connection to the Beats but here’s another intriguing example which is rarely ever cited in Beats-related discussions: the late Mark E. Smith of the Fall.

I toured in support of the Fall and Mark always impressed me with his informed knowledge of the Beats. In my opinion, people like Burroughs DEFINITELY exerted a massive influence on Mark and his work.

Indeed, Mark and I once went together to see Burroughs one night at the Hacienda in Manchester and I was taken aback by the informed, unique perceptions Mark had of Burroughs. A magical night!

Who are your own favourite singers, musicians and bands? Do they represent Beat ideas or attitudes in their lives and art?

My favourite act of all time is the Fall (and Mark E. Smith in particular). We’ll certainly never see the like of Mark again. In a different era I believe he could have become a great icon of the Beat culture.