Jack is Beat
I think that Jack missed the Beat generation. But isn’t missing the
boat part of what that’s all about? He was in the service. Being
directly inspired by jazz. Oh, he caught up just fine in the end.
He seems to be one of the best guys for keeping the beat thing
rolling. Buk came close. Hunter Thompson was good at first.
I like how Jack invented the BUSHED generation which came
after or maybe alongside or before the Beats. Something to do
with 86’ed. Or maybe downsizing recession eras. Does anyone
here know Jack?
I think that in his writings he does great service at orienting
the relative positions of Henry Miller, Kerouac, Ginsberg, Buk,
Whitman, Thoreau, Thompson, Willeford, Monk, Parker….and he
and his other mail art pals who keep the ball rolling. He knows the
material and the bio’s like no one else. Brings them to life
like no one else. Gives credit where due.
Something like 250 books unpublished, underpublished or banned
in a row in 25+ years…not a bad streak for being BEAT.
I’ve read all the others, too, and Jack still holds up as my favorite.
They’re good, but…
*****
