Sorry to hear this. I first met him in 1968 when the poetry group I belonged to got him to give a reading in Northampton.He later advised me to listen to Lord Buckley and read Langston Hughes. I encountered him in different places over the years and let spoke to him by 'phone last year when he seemed more than eager to talk about his life and work.
He was always voluble as a singer! He was always friendly to me. The only difference I noticed last time I spoke to him was that he seemed to appreciate talking to someone who understood his reference points. I suppose by then he'd lost a lot of the New Departures crowd, both musicians and poets, and I suppose it got increasingly lonely.
Hragh! An editor once rebuffed me saying that writing in a forty year old style was pointless. Worthless. I wonder, on reflection, what fans of Wordsworth, Spencer and other past rock stars would have told him? - Back to the present (ish):
Why do I feel like life skipped by/verse-vica? Anyone educated (?) in the 50/60s will recall how poetry/music/art would get you nowhere - you'll never make anything of yourself was drummed in. To a naiive twit this was gospel despite my private thoughts and some attempts which were probably rubbish anyway. Thankfully Ferlinghetti caught up with me (as did Plath) and as has the ability to at least amuse my local writing group. Which is a windy way fo saying what deep joy beat and poetry are giving me and suddenly realising mid writing coure (OU, Creative) that I should research Brown, Bolan, Hendrix et al. So it begins...
Hi Alex – Thank you for your rather joyous scepticism! Many ways to explore these interconnections at Rock and the Beat Generation. Let us know where you get to…
So sad to hear about Pete Brown leaving us. I had the honour and pleasure of interviewing him back in December. I was bricking it, but he was such a gent and a great raconteur, he made it easy for me. Xxx
I doubt it was his last interview, he was a busy chap, but it was fantastic. It was for a book I'm working on about the 1965 poetry reading at the Royal Albert Hall and Pete gave me such insight about that night.
Very sad. First met Pete in the early 70s with his band Piblokto and became good friends for a time. We lost touch over the years though. A great musician and lyricist and a very special person. Lovely tribute, Simon. RIP Pete.
Sorry to hear this. I first met him in 1968 when the poetry group I belonged to got him to give a reading in Northampton.He later advised me to listen to Lord Buckley and read Langston Hughes. I encountered him in different places over the years and let spoke to him by 'phone last year when he seemed more than eager to talk about his life and work.
Was it just me, or did PB seem to soften in later years and become really quite voluble?
He was always voluble as a singer! He was always friendly to me. The only difference I noticed last time I spoke to him was that he seemed to appreciate talking to someone who understood his reference points. I suppose by then he'd lost a lot of the New Departures crowd, both musicians and poets, and I suppose it got increasingly lonely.
He spoke very highly of Spike Hawkins. He didn't have much time for Gregory Corso, but I guess he wasn't alone there.
Obviously we know that Corso died some time ago, but I was interested to spot that Spike Hawkins only passed on in 2017…
I got the feeling there was a friendly rivalry, shall we say, between Brown and Horovitz which sometimes led to tension.
Whatever, he must have missed his old friend…
A sad loss indeed. And, an absolutely marvelous article. Wonderfully written, rich with texture, and truly informative. One of your best.
Valued compliments, Marc. Thank you.
Hragh! An editor once rebuffed me saying that writing in a forty year old style was pointless. Worthless. I wonder, on reflection, what fans of Wordsworth, Spencer and other past rock stars would have told him? - Back to the present (ish):
Why do I feel like life skipped by/verse-vica? Anyone educated (?) in the 50/60s will recall how poetry/music/art would get you nowhere - you'll never make anything of yourself was drummed in. To a naiive twit this was gospel despite my private thoughts and some attempts which were probably rubbish anyway. Thankfully Ferlinghetti caught up with me (as did Plath) and as has the ability to at least amuse my local writing group. Which is a windy way fo saying what deep joy beat and poetry are giving me and suddenly realising mid writing coure (OU, Creative) that I should research Brown, Bolan, Hendrix et al. So it begins...
Hi Alex – Thank you for your rather joyous scepticism! Many ways to explore these interconnections at Rock and the Beat Generation. Let us know where you get to…
Joyous scepticism... see "Cricket Pad" :)
So sad to hear about Pete Brown leaving us. I had the honour and pleasure of interviewing him back in December. I was bricking it, but he was such a gent and a great raconteur, he made it easy for me. Xxx
We look forward to the results of that interview – maybe his last?
I doubt it was his last interview, he was a busy chap, but it was fantastic. It was for a book I'm working on about the 1965 poetry reading at the Royal Albert Hall and Pete gave me such insight about that night.
Hopefully R&BG can review your Albert Hall volume. Keep us in the loop!
Absolutely.
Look forward to it!
Very sad. First met Pete in the early 70s with his band Piblokto and became good friends for a time. We lost touch over the years though. A great musician and lyricist and a very special person. Lovely tribute, Simon. RIP Pete.
Thanks, Tony. I wonder who would cover Piblokto today! Was Picnic the Harvest sampler on which Brown’s band appeared. I think so.
Don’t remember I’m afraid. Think I first saw Piblokto at Henry’s Blues House in Birmingham, run by the legendary Jim Simpson.