Brianland

. Originally published in Interchange Magazine, and TransForum Magazine, Jan. and Feb. 1993. . “We march to the music of our time.” ……………………………………….Bill Clinton at his Inauguration . Little Dorothy Washington slowly snuck up to the Iron Curtain of Oz, and peaked behind the screen. Her eyes popped when she discovered only a hungry old […]

[Read more →]

David Amram, Jami Cassady, Al Hinkle holding the book, Levi Asher and the author after the Cassady Family panel at the Beat Shindig in San Francisco . This is an excellent book about Uncle Jack, and also a heartfelt outpouring of love for Mom and Dad, and the Grateful Dead, too.  I just got done […]

[Read more →]

. Here’s some video from various “Hitchhiker’s Guide to Jack Kerouac” appearances . . . in the order the pieces appear in the book . . .   Here’s a whole bunch of clips in one YouTube Playlist in the sequence they appear in the book  . . . 🙂  . Here’s a great group […]

[Read more →]

. “It’s Alright.  He’s Kerouac.” . I’m currently sitting in the dark in Kerouac Park writing what just happened . . . I came to Jack’s hometown of Lowell with lots of hopes and anticipation of magic sacred spots and moments.  The top dream I’ve always had was getting inside the Pawtucketville Social Club — […]

[Read more →]

Lowell Celebrates Kerouac Adventure 2015   The first time I came to Lowell in 1983 you couldn’t find any indication Jack ever lived here.  I asked all around and finally found a bartender who said the only guy in town who knew about him was his old Reverend.  The afternoon barkeep even looked up his […]

[Read more →]

. “Life is good.” . . A few years ago I became friends with this cool 70-year-old German woman who lived a few doors down. It was one of those:  recognizing each other from the moment we met — another member of the tribe — kindred travellers – explorers – pranksters – leprechaun twinklers. And […]

[Read more →]

When Conflict Television Was Born or . . . “I’ll sock you in your goddamn face.” . . 1968  — The year so much changed . . . Martin and Bobby . . .  North Vietnam’s Tet Offensive galvanizing Americans’ opposition to the war . . .  The Beatles open their Apple Core . . […]

[Read more →]

. Shindig Sutra . aahhh — San Francisco — home of everything holy. Home of the Beats, home of The Dead, home of the wild.  The United States of San Francisco.  The city that makes its own rules . . . and that’s that. Of course we’re coming home.  To the Museum that Jerry built. […]

[Read more →]

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Jack Kerouac  . Reviews, feedback, and other buzzes over the transom . . . . Brian Hassett had the presence of mind to pack a good old cassette recorder in his rucksack back in 1982 when he was alerted to the Jack Kerouac Conference being staged in Boulder, Colorado.  The real […]

[Read more →]

. With all the energy peaking over The Grateful Dead’s 50th anniversary shows, here’s a little excerpt from my upcoming book — “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Jack Kerouac” — that shows part of why we keep coming back. These shows at Red Rocks in ’82 were part of the largest gathering of Beats ever assembled, […]

[Read more →]