The punk poet died of an heart attack at the age of 60 last Friday at his home in Manhattan. With a career in writing that spanned decades, Jim Carroll was a part of the hip downtown Manhattan scene in the 70's.
Not limiting himself to just writing, he formed in 1978 the punk/newwave outfit The Jim Carroll Band. He also collaborated with artists/bands such as Lou Reed, Boz Scaggs, Ray Manzarek, Pearl Jam, Rancid and Blue Oyster Cult.
But what he will be greatly remembered for is his book The Basketball Diaries. This autobiographical work about his life as a teenager in New York is an edited collection of diaries he kept between the ages of twelve and sixteen that talks about his sexual experiences, basketball, and his addiction to heroin at a tender age of 13.
He was working at his desk when he passed away.
Not limiting himself to just writing, he formed in 1978 the punk/newwave outfit The Jim Carroll Band. He also collaborated with artists/bands such as Lou Reed, Boz Scaggs, Ray Manzarek, Pearl Jam, Rancid and Blue Oyster Cult.
But what he will be greatly remembered for is his book The Basketball Diaries. This autobiographical work about his life as a teenager in New York is an edited collection of diaries he kept between the ages of twelve and sixteen that talks about his sexual experiences, basketball, and his addiction to heroin at a tender age of 13.
He was working at his desk when he passed away.
I have a book of Lou Reed's poems--he's good, no doubt. But some lines are hit-and-miss. Henry Rollins is a far better writer than Lou Reed.
ReplyDeleteBut I've outgrown my so-called "angry years". Now, I go for pop core acts like The Unbending Trees, Tigercity, the Figurines.
By the way, I'd like to invite you or anyone out there who wants to join our Spoken Word gig on Nov 6, at Crammers around 6:30. It's open mic, and might just turn into a Poetry Slam, if the occasion calls for it.
Email me to confirm your attendance: archprankster@yahoo.com. No money involved.