Kenny Weir writes from Melbourne, Australia: I enjoy your posts! I was living in London in 78 and gave some thought to trying to get to the Egypt gigs. But I was seriously broke at the time, so probably best it didn't eventuate.
Like a lot of young Kiwis and Aussies, I'd ended up in London because that's how it was done - and there was work to be had. I'd spent the previous four months or so hitchhiking across the US, a head full of the Beats and the Dead and all the rest.
Saw the GD at Winterland courtesy of my friends at BAM magazine - and now have the box set! So in London, I was a mix-up of bohemian Americana buff and wastrel/drinker who could (and did), nonetheless, throw himself into then then ascendant punk thing.
The Egypt scheme was a chimera more than anything - no money, plus (pre-internet, of course) details were scarce. My life journey upon my return to NZ and then a move to Australia in 86 has embraced many twists and turns, musical and otherwise.
I had a GD rebirth about 10 years ago, bought a bunch of stuff. They still have a big place in my heart, but the repertoire-on-repeat I find unlistenable these days. So I get those same jollies from all sorts of jazz, old, new, avant, free and way more. Also blues, gospel, bluegrass etc etc. Tonight it's been crusty old '20s jazz!
The Beats? The fascination remains, hence my enjoyment of your works. But TBH I doubt I could do even a page of most them these days. Similarly, those passions and interest these days get fulfilled in old-school hard case crime and noir and SF. Ross MacDonald is The Best!!! These days I am a retired hack journo and some-time food blogger.
Another candidate for the "Flower Power Man." Unfortunately, supporters of Ennis will have to explain why Bernie Boston (the photographer) named George Harris (aka Hibiscus) as the culprit. See Curio Magazine, Spring 2005, p. 11. (https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/curio/vol28/iss1/)
Kenny Weir writes from Melbourne, Australia: I enjoy your posts! I was living in London in 78 and gave some thought to trying to get to the Egypt gigs. But I was seriously broke at the time, so probably best it didn't eventuate.
Like a lot of young Kiwis and Aussies, I'd ended up in London because that's how it was done - and there was work to be had. I'd spent the previous four months or so hitchhiking across the US, a head full of the Beats and the Dead and all the rest.
Saw the GD at Winterland courtesy of my friends at BAM magazine - and now have the box set! So in London, I was a mix-up of bohemian Americana buff and wastrel/drinker who could (and did), nonetheless, throw himself into then then ascendant punk thing.
The Egypt scheme was a chimera more than anything - no money, plus (pre-internet, of course) details were scarce. My life journey upon my return to NZ and then a move to Australia in 86 has embraced many twists and turns, musical and otherwise.
I had a GD rebirth about 10 years ago, bought a bunch of stuff. They still have a big place in my heart, but the repertoire-on-repeat I find unlistenable these days. So I get those same jollies from all sorts of jazz, old, new, avant, free and way more. Also blues, gospel, bluegrass etc etc. Tonight it's been crusty old '20s jazz!
The Beats? The fascination remains, hence my enjoyment of your works. But TBH I doubt I could do even a page of most them these days. Similarly, those passions and interest these days get fulfilled in old-school hard case crime and noir and SF. Ross MacDonald is The Best!!! These days I am a retired hack journo and some-time food blogger.
Fascinating backgrounder, Kenny Weir. The Beat traverses the globe from SF to Oz, London to Cairo! Thanks for sharing.
Brilliant!!
Thank you, Ron. I'm glad you enjoyed it…
Ah, don’t you love those Merry Pranksters? Me? Of course!
Another candidate for the "Flower Power Man." Unfortunately, supporters of Ennis will have to explain why Bernie Boston (the photographer) named George Harris (aka Hibiscus) as the culprit. See Curio Magazine, Spring 2005, p. 11. (https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/curio/vol28/iss1/)