General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLawrence Ferlinghetti has died. An era closes.
Yes, he was very old. He was also one of the most influential people in literature, ever. I hope people remember him with the respect hes due.
Link to tweet
?s=12
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,683 posts)msongs
(67,437 posts)frazzled
(18,402 posts)He influenced so many West Coast writers and visual artists of the era, and of course, publishing Ginsburgs Howl was a gift to civilization at large.
I remember sitting on my bed at age 18 or 19 reading A Coney Island of the Mind, and I can still remember the look of the paperback cover.
PittBlue
(4,227 posts)back in the day. Still have both copies...I must have read them a hundred times.
panader0
(25,816 posts)Also, every book Kerouac wrote, and many more beat writers.
Demovictory9
(32,472 posts)scarletwoman
(31,893 posts)I attended an in person reading of his, decades ago when I was in college - late 60s. Was blown away back then, and loved him since.
madaboutharry
(40,219 posts)He certainly lived an interesting life. RIP
Retrograde
(10,152 posts)A friend, who grew up around the corner in Chinatown, asked me once if I had ever heard of it. He was astonished to know it was world-famous: he always thought of it as the neighborhood bookstore where they let the little Chinese boy sit quietly in the corner and read!
IcyPeas
(21,901 posts)See
it was like this when
we waltz into this place
a couple of Papish cats
is doing an Aztec two-step
And I says
Dad let's cut
but then this dame
comes up behind me see
and says
You and me could really exist
Wow I says
Only the next day
she has bad teeth
and really hates
poetry
ancianita
(36,132 posts)Damn, Lawrence! Way to live so long!
Wild blueberry
(6,652 posts)Rest in peace
MineralMan
(146,325 posts)I went into City Lights bookstore in San Francisco and ended up picking out one of his books, "Her." I read the first few pages in the store and decided to buy it. When I took it to the cash register, the man behind the register said, "Good choice. Want me to sign it for you? I wrote it." So, I said, "Sure."
I was 18 years old, and had never actually heard of him. The book turned out to be weirdly wonderful. Somewhere in my life's journey, though, it was lost. Too bad, although he signed his books all the time in City Lights. It was his store, after all.
I'm probably one of not all that many people who read that book, which inspired me to write a poem of the same name that ended up being published in an poetry anthology.
turbinetree
(24,713 posts)MineralMan
(146,325 posts)through my life. Wish I still had it.
I remember it, though. It was completely unlike any writing I had ever encountered. A wake-up moment for a future writer.
turbinetree
(24,713 posts)It is amazing how one can remember an author and forever be linked to them in some form or fashion.
I have poster that was signed by Bob Seidemann while I was out at an air show in China Lake, Ca, 1989. he was at the booth with his book and a poster, and it is about "Airplane As Art", he is the same man that designed some of the album covers like Blind Faith first album cover, he passed away in 2017, what is remarkable is that he graduated from a Aviation Trade school in New York
NBachers
(17,135 posts)LuckyLib
(6,819 posts)Powells in Portland, and McLeods in Vancouver BC. Places to get lost in!
nolabear
(41,991 posts)byronius
(7,400 posts)I loved his book explaining quantum physics to ordinary people. What a powerful figure.
OMGWTF
(3,972 posts)about a year before he killed himself. I bought him a beer and he signed my copy of "Steal This Book" (that I stole from my brother). It's one of my prized possessions and memories.
electric_blue68
(14,932 posts)have I forgotten, or did I miss that he, AB, committed suicide?!
byronius
(7,400 posts)However -- right after H.W Bush took office -- who was Nixon's CIA man -- Abbie was found dead of an overdose in his bed under the covers with his shoes on -- with an open window -- and no one who lived with him believed he did it. He had big plans that year.
Hmmm. It's always bugged me. He was viciously hated by the pre-Magas.
I loved him.
electric_blue68
(14,932 posts)byronius
(7,400 posts)Got to see him debate Allen Ginsberg.
Abbie shaped my politics heavily.
sheilahi
(277 posts)RIP Dear Mr Ferlinghetti. Your poetry has meant so much in my life. Coney Island of the Mind, my go to book of poetry. Absolutely brilliant. Favorite line ever, "America, my country tears of thee". You'll be missed
SergeStorms
(19,204 posts)Ferlinghetti, Ginsberg...they were huge in the 60s counterculture. RIP gentle soul.
NNadir
(33,541 posts)He didn't write it but he published it. Eventually it made a difference.
Of course I'm not entirely sure Allen Ginsberg actually saw the best minds of his generation but neither have I.
I loved Diprima's Calculus of Variations, probably because at the time I didn't know calculus.
City Lights was fun in its time. It's good he led a long life, one well worth living.
I'm surprised to learn he was still around. RiP.
Ferrets are Cool
(21,109 posts)Makes more sense than the other one.
Now I feel evil for mentioning both of them in the same post.
RIP LF
Bradshaw3
(7,527 posts)Always hoped to see him there but never did. The Beats were and still are so influential in our culture. He was the last but the beat goes on.
BobTheSubgenius
(11,564 posts)It showed things like 200 Motels and Putney Swope. It was named as a tribute to one of LF's contributions to "new culture" or "beat culture," or however you want to label it.
City Lights, of course.
Smooth sailing, Lawrence. You were a true original, and so, so important in shaping the whole culture.
Turin_C3PO
(14,033 posts)but havent seen 200 motels! Ive always wanted to though.
jmowreader
(50,562 posts)jeffreyi
(1,943 posts)Watched part of it last night.
Turin_C3PO
(14,033 posts)I have Amazon Prime, Im gonna have to check it out today.
XanaDUer2
(10,726 posts)Hekate
(90,778 posts)Hekate
(90,778 posts)Its a thought.
nolabear
(41,991 posts)DemoTex
(25,400 posts)Gary Snyder, the Pulitzer-winning Beat Poet remains .. at age 90. Any others? I cannot think of any.
nolabear
(41,991 posts)Not that I had anything to do with it. I have a friend who loved and interviewed the Beats and other modern poets from back in the day. She was in Seattle for an event and we all sat around and basked. I enjoyed being a nobody at the table. 😄