Symposium tribute to Jack Kerouac 1973

In 1973, a Symposium Tribute to Jack Kerouac took place at Salem State College where beat writers such as Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, Peter Orlovsky, and more discussed Kerouac’s writing and different aspects of his life. The three videos here show over 4 hours of the proceedings. The discussion is lively. The opening address is byCharles Jarvis. Jarvis, a professor at UMASS Lowell, reads an excerpt from "On the Road" to begin the Jack Kerouac Symposium. Jarvis had known Kerouac during the time when Kerouac moved back to Lowell from 1966-1968. He wrote a book about Kerouac called "Visions of Kerouac." Jay McHale, English professor at Salem State, was the organizer of the Jack Kerouac Symposium.

 

Discussion includes the sex life of Kerouac from the perspectives of the panelists, several of whom knew Kerouac intimately. Gregory Corso is a strong presence in the room, constantly interjecting and recasting the discussion according to his own particular perspective. However, Coros is also a giften poet and a sharp mind and many of this statements are profound and authentic. Corso never lost his 'beat' identity throughout is life.

 

"A Tribute to Jack Kerouac" was held as part of the Arts Festival at Salem State College in 1973. It is generally thought to be the first academic symposium on the life and work of Jack Kerouac. April 4th featured readings by Beat poets Allen Ginsberg and Gregory Corso and a showing of the film "Pull My Daisy." On April 5th a panel discussion featuring Ginsberg, Corso, John Clellon Holmes, and Peter Orlovsky was held. The Symposium was free-wheeling, as befit the times, and became legendary over the years as the Beat Writers gained in popularity. There are many photos from the symposium archived by Salem State University and can be seen here. I have selected some to add to this post.

Corso during the poetry reading on April 4th,1973.

Corso takes a photo of the audience on April 4th,1973.

Corso during the poetry reading on April 4th,1973.

Corso during the panel discussion on April 4th,1973.

Corso during the panel discussion on April 4th,1973.

Corso during the panel discussion on April 4th,1973.

Corso during the panel discussion on April 4th,1973.

Corso during at the panel discussion on April 4th,1973.

Corso during the poetry reading on April 4th,1973.

Corso during the poetry reading on April 4th,1973.

Corso during the poetry reading on April 4th,1973.

Allen Ginsberg speaking at the panel discussion during the Jack Kerouac Symposium on April 5, 1973.

Ginsberg with an audience member at the Jack Kerouac Symposium

Writer Aaron Latham (October 3, 1943 – July 23, 2022), a member of the panel discussion, was working on a biography of Kerouac at the time of the Symposium. he never completed the book.

Peter Orlovsky at the Jack Kerouac Symposium. Orlovsky was born on the Lower East Side of New York City in 1933. He was a Korean War Veteran and American poet, as well as Allen Ginsberg's partner.

Peter Orlovsky at the Jack Kerouac Symposium.

Peter Orlovsky at the Jack Kerouac Symposium.

Peter Orlovsky at the Jack Kerouac Symposium.

Stanley Twardowicz, a painter and photographer who participated in the Symposium's panel discussion on 4/5/1973.

Stanley Twardowicz (July 8, 1917 - June 12, 2008) was an American abstract painter and photographer. Twardowicz was born in Detroit, and studied at the Meinzinger Art School during World War II. During the 1950s and 1960s he developed his painting style, related to color field paintings and abstract expressionism. In 1971 he married artist Lillian Dodson. Twardowicz also befriended Jack Kerouac, and published some of the only images of the writer in his final years.

Larry Eigner, Allen Ginsberg, and Peter Orlovsky

Eigner, Ginsberg, and Orlovsky speaking during the poetry reading on April 4th, 1973

John Holmes, Shirley Holmes, Brian Joyce, Michael Antonakes, Marvin LaHood, and Allen Ginsberg

Having a meal before the Tribute to Jack Kerouac on April 5th,1973.

Allen Ginsberg speaking at the panel discussion during the Jack Kerouac Symposium on April 5, 1973.

Allen had broken his leg, after falling on icey ground at his Cherry Valley farm in Upstate New York during the winter

Lillian Dodson, John Holmes, Allen Ginsberg and Shirley Holmes

Having brunch before the Kerouac Symposium on April 5th,1973.

Scotty Beaulieu

Beaulieu, a friend of Kerouac's from Lowell, asks a question during the Symposium while in the audience on April 5th, 1973.

Beat poet Gregory Corso speaking with two neighborhood children. Corso was in Salem participating in Salem State College's "Tribute to Jack Kerouac."