2011-02-22

Hep Cats & Beatniks - Part 3

In case you're wondering where my current fascination with Beatniks comes from, I just finished reading the novel "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac.  "On the Road" is a largely autobiographical account of the counterculture lifestyle of the writers, poets and musicians whom became know as the Beat Generation.  Kerouac and his circle of friends, which included the poet Allen Ginsberg and writer William S. Burrough, documented and inspired the Beat Movement which advocated non-conformity and spontaneous creativity. 

Kerouac wrote "On the Road" in only 3 weeks (reportedly with the aid of caffeine and Benzedrine), using one long roll of paper in his typewriter so he wouldn't have to stop to change the sheets.  He believed his first thought was always his best thought - no editing and no revisions.  This led to a very free flowing, spontaneous prose that paralleled the experimental jazz of that era.  Often, the two mediums were combined and the Beat Generation (or Beatniks as they were later called) would gather in coffee houses to read aloud their poetry to the accompaniment of jazz musicians.

The movement grew to eventually become a media parody of itself with the stereotypical goateed and turtlenecked beatnik spouting nonsensical poetry and outrageous lingo (see Hep Cats & Beatniks - Parts 1 & 2)  Although perpetrating the stereotype has been a whole lot of fun ('cause it's coolsville to dig the hep cat beat, Daddy-O) I'd now like to share with you to the real deal, Himself.  So here, on a clip from the Steve Allen Show is Jack Kerouac reading from his novel, "On the Road." 


Dig it!  



11 comments:

  1. On the Road--I loved that book. The book I really loved, though, was The Electric KoolAid Acid Test.

    Looking forward to Friday!

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  2. Galen: The Electric KoolAid Acid Test?! That's one I haven't read, but I will check that it out :)

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  3. not always wrong or right with the first comment

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  4. A few friends and I read On the Road when we were in high school. It basically caused us to think that we were the coolest heppest cats around. Basically we drank way too much coffee, smoked too many cigarettes, and skipped too much class. But, it was a blast!! :-)

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  5. Bondo: ????

    Sara Louise: Truth be told - I suspect I'm a square. While I'm sure it would have inspired me in high school (it didn't take much back then to lead me astray), today, with my kids the same age as the characters, I was appalled by their complete irresponsibility. Yup - I'm definately a square. I'm blaming it on motherhood ;)

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  6. I'm more of an Eminem fan myself (pause while you guffaw with laughter) no, okay I'm an 80's fan with a bit of techno pop chucked in for good measure.
    I loved your comment you left me about the young man growling like a cougar...now that just has to be a huge compliment.

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  7. Wow, this is really fantastic. I had no idea. I loved reading this post. I think you've turned me out. Must get a copy of "On the Road". Your a doll, Daddy-O. I can totally dig it.

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  8. You've opened my mind! I haven't heard of or read the books...but I was glued to your video. Hmmmm.....I must broaden my horizons for sure! Meeting you today via the parade come by and say hello when you get a chance :)
    {tara} from Undeserving Grace

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  9. I'm more of an Eminem fan myself (pause while you guffaw with laughter) no, okay I'm an 80's fan with a bit of techno pop chucked in for good measure.
    I loved your comment you left me about the young man growling like a cougar...now that just has to be a huge compliment.

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  10. not always wrong or right with the first comment

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  11. Galen: The Electric KoolAid Acid Test?! That's one I haven't read, but I will check that it out :)

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