As the Centenary of great Beat matriarch Carolyn Cassady approaches later this month, son John Allen reports from the roistering frontline five decades ago, just after his mother turned 50 years old
I saw Allen Ginsberg in 1970 in Goleta. Just north of Santa Barbara. And next to Isla Vista student housing for UCSB. He was doing a reading with nine other poets. I can't remember them all. Assuming Kenneth Rexroth was there as he was an English professor at the university. And one of my favorite profs. Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Gary Snyder, Ginsberg. My favorite poets that day were Ferlinghetti and Ginsberg. Ginsberg sat cross legged on the floor with his harmonium squeezing away and chanting poetry. It was a special day. Isla Vista was under a lockdown. No movement after 7 PM. We were allowed passes to go attend the event. Over the years I've asked Gary Snyder who the nine poets were. Days of rage and bank burnings. Innocent bystanders murdered by sheriffs.
Long Live Neal!
I saw Allen Ginsberg in 1970 in Goleta. Just north of Santa Barbara. And next to Isla Vista student housing for UCSB. He was doing a reading with nine other poets. I can't remember them all. Assuming Kenneth Rexroth was there as he was an English professor at the university. And one of my favorite profs. Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Gary Snyder, Ginsberg. My favorite poets that day were Ferlinghetti and Ginsberg. Ginsberg sat cross legged on the floor with his harmonium squeezing away and chanting poetry. It was a special day. Isla Vista was under a lockdown. No movement after 7 PM. We were allowed passes to go attend the event. Over the years I've asked Gary Snyder who the nine poets were. Days of rage and bank burnings. Innocent bystanders murdered by sheriffs.
Thanks, Peter, for sharing those great memories. If you ever come up with the list of all nine poets, would love to see it!