SCUM Manifesto author Valerie Solanas' effort to get her play "Up Your Ass" produced by Andy Warhol leads to deadly confrontations. With cameos from Maurice Girodias, Paul Krassner, and Barney Rosset.
From John Wilcock, New York Years, by Ethan Persoff and Scott Marshall.
From John Wilcock, New York Years, by Ethan Persoff and Scott Marshall.
A holiday letter to John Wilcock from Hunter S. Thompson (written exactly fifty years ago this week!) - Describing Thompson's intentions to run for sheriff of Aspen and Joe Edwards' nearly successful run for Mayor.
Read John's previous encounter with Hunter here.
From John Wilcock, New York Years, by Ethan Persoff and Scott Marshall.
The mayhem (or success) of the 1968 Democratic National Convention, and Abbie Hoffman's arrest for writing a forbidden word on his forehead.
From John Wilcock, New York Years, by Ethan Persoff and Scott Marshall.
A 1967 acid trip during a hurricane at Ramrod Key, Florida, leads Abbie Hoffman, his wife Anita, and Paul Krassner to see the upcoming 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago as a hugely visible moment for political protest.
When home from the vacation, the group has a celebratory smoke, leading to Paul's coining of the term Yippie, for politicized, radical, or activist hippies.
From John Wilcock, New York Years, by Ethan Persoff and Scott Marshall.
The climactic moment when The Pentagon levitated into the air, ending war.
This historic moment begs the question: "Was Daniel Ellsberg's moral evolution due, in part, to him being inside the building when surrounded by thousands of chanting peacemakers?"
This concludes the three part Levitation of The Pentagon (Read Part One and Parts Two)
From John Wilcock, New York Years, by Ethan Persoff and Scott Marshall.
Part Two of "LEVITATION OF THE PENTAGON" — Concluded Next Week
Read Part One: Applying for a Permit to Exorcise the Pentagon of Evil Spirits, Levitating It Ten Feet Off the Ground
From John Wilcock, New York Years, by Ethan Persoff and Scott Marshall.
Abbie Hoffman and Martin Carey arrive at The Pentagon to do a literal hand-count on how many protestors will be needed to encircle the building for a protest. On the way out they apply for, and receive, a permit to initiate an Exorcism to rid the base of its evil demons.
Part one of "LEVITATION OF THE PENTAGON" — Continued Next Week
From John Wilcock, New York Years, by Ethan Persoff and Scott Marshall.
The first meeting of editors from around the country, merged together as The Underground Press Syndicate — and the early gestation for what will become the protests at the Pentagon building. From John Wilcock, New York Years, by Ethan Persoff and Scott Marshall.
A spirited conversation between Hunter S. Thompson and John Wilcock. From John Wilcock, New York Years, by Ethan Persoff and Scott Marshall.
Look for a holiday follow-up to this story in December, detailing "How the Freaks Almost Took the Town".
Shown at top of fold: Cover to OTHER SCENES, Volume 1, Number 6, September 1968 — Additional items on the history of OTHER SCENES will be included in the comments section over the week.
From John Wilcock, New York Years, by Ethan Persoff and Scott Marshall.
A relieving of tensions between John and the East Village Other leads to the development of the UPS.
From John Wilcock, New York Years, by Ethan Persoff and Scott Marshall.
From John Wilcock, New York Years, by Ethan Persoff and Scott Marshall.
Greetings, Wilcock readers! The series will complete here on Boing Boing, in weekly installments, through the end of the year.
Last month was a rough one. I began August grieving the death of a friend, Paul Krassner, which Mark remembered here on Boing Boing, following Paul's death on July 21. I also wrote a piece on PK, which ran on The Comics Journal.
I didn't share the Comics Journal item with many people, but one of those I emailed was the Silver Jews' David Berman. I figured he'd appreciate the politics, strength, and humor of Paul's life. I didn't hear back, which wasn't surprising, yet I'd regret it being the last message I'd send him. Two weeks later news everywhere would announce Berman's suicide.
For a brief moment I was horrified at my last message. I barely knew David, yet it's weird how grief can operate, overwhelming you with regret over help not offered. But what can anyone ever say.
Communicating with David had been a highlight of 2019. I'd spent years living with his music and art. I'd contacted David earlier this year to invite him to a project of mine, Spoken Word with Electronics. I'm now so thankful for the brief moment I felt a friendship developing, no matter how fleeting.
One wall of Harry's Loft, my recording space in Austin TX
I've been quietly working on this spoken word project for a few years. It's meant to be a modern take on Folkways Recordings. I either record a vocal performance from an author in the studio, do a live recording on the phone, or arrange for an emailed audio file. Read the rest
