Neal Cassady

[@andrewo.b.7638]

It should be said that one can still feel an 'enthusiasm for life' and live its varied manifestations without becoming lost in drugs and irresponsibility. Some would say lost in sin. I think I once met Neal Cassady. It was in San Jose in the 1950's and one summer day a friend of mine and I--both of us 13 years old--had missed an early bus into town that ran along Foxworthy Ave. , and as we stood curbside bemoaning that we'd have to wait at least another half hour for the next bus, a car came roaring down the road and my friend and I, both of us adventurous, spontaneously stuck out our thumbs and the car screeched to a halt. The driver was young, but not real young, and he had movie-star good looks. He removed a lunch pail from the front seat and my friend and I climbed inside. The car, like most cars in those days, had a stick shift and the fellow banged the gears and drove above the speed limit and did an awful lot of talking and I remember little of it but I do remember that he talked about women, not in a condescending manner but as someone offering advice about how to understand them. He also offered my friend and I a cigarette and we accepted. When we got close to downtown the fellow said he had to shortly be at work but he was going to make a couple of quick stops along the way. His first stop was in back of a small, rickety apartment complex and he scurried up the stairs to the second floor and knocked on a door and a women answered and let him inside. My friend and I, having fun with this adventure, and also understanding what our filthy adolescent minds were telling us was going on in that apartment upstairs, timed how long the hyper fellow was up there, which turned out to be eight minutes. When he got back to the car he didn't share anything about his visit upstairs but he seemed a little happier than he was before he stopped here. Next he drove to a nearby restaurant and said he had to speak to a lady inside and this time he was gone only three minutes. When he came out he drove a short distance and pulled into the train yard near downtown San Jose and looked at my friend and I and said, "Well, this is where I work." And we thanked the fellow for the ride and we parted. Years later, in 1973, my wife bought me the Ann Charters biography of Jack Kerouac and when I came across Neal Cassidy's picture I almost fell out of my seat. It was the fellow who had picked my friend and I up that day in San Jose back in the 1950's! In retrospect, the fellow who had picked my friend and I up that day was probably the coolest person we had ever met. We even said as much. But in spite of being a couple of heathens ourselves, as well as young and inexperienced, we instinctively sensed that there was something unwise about that cool person's conduct.

[@brothaman1685]

Cool story! Thanks for sharing.

[@solidmotion]

The coolest part was getting to hear from Cassady's family. Thanks for posting this, wimbovv!

[@MamaJacqueroo]

Thank you, enjoyed it. This type of documentary is hard to come by- definitely history that influenced my life. I am 54.

[@dharmabeachbum6330]

I wish I'd been on Further with Neal at the wheel and Kesey sitting near me. ..What a trip! ..As a fan of both Beats and hippies, I have to compliment the young lady who did this documentary. Good job.

[@chburnell108]

Thank you for posting this. Don't worry about what others say. Please keep this video online.

[@TheBenrogue]

Yes. I agree. Amazing work for a 16-year-old.

[@willisjefferson5886]

You did a really nice job on this film, thank you for doing it

[@kerouac86]

for a very select few the porch light stays perpetually on....

[@Rhonlynn]

Thankyou. they changed my life. I've read everything Kerouac wrote, atleast 2 or 3 times, OTR, I read 6 times.

[@starlight9275]

@buchananstreet NONE of this would have ever happened if it wasn't for HENRY MILLER. I loved this video. My daughter is named Cassidy after the grateful dead song which was STRONGLY influenced by the death of Neal Cassady and the hope for the resurection of the brightness of his spirit through the birth of the baby Cassidy Law. I have a puppy named Ginsberg. I am just so cool. lol

[@websidanjeppe]

Great documentary! I'm just reading Carlyn's Off the road and im just in the middle of it and she have just given birth to the boy John Allen... Crazy to se him live as well as John Allen as well. Thanks a bunch!!!

[@jayhackworth]

This was very well done; thanks.

[@billymarter]

I think that it's so cool that the only good video I've ever seen about this guy (this one), was produced not by some Hollwood corporation but by a young lady who obviously has loads of talent.

[@ernestSal9]

Interesting and informative video about the uber American Beat anti-hero Neal Cassady, specially the interviews with members of his family are priceless. Good job C.W.

[@ryanj7517]

Was a shock to find out he worked 10 years as a railroad conductor. According to his daughter. Being late to work and hitchhiking ended up in him being terminated. The guys who gave him a lift were undercover cops to whom he gave each a joint for a ride. He was then sentenced to 5 years to Life for 2 joints. Unbelievable. First case was dismissed and convicted on what was Double Jeopardy essentially.

[@ddobbssf]

Well produced and very informative. Nice work Charlotte!! dd

[@stonepaintertim]

compelling. Always was drawn to the Kerouac books and the Kool acid tests music of the Dead Avalon Ballroom. Reflects so much culturally of those times, the expressive energy, and adventure of that kind of freedom. Dylan mentions it also, as a source to his music

[@christopherconaway4028]

kerouac had already established himself as an exceptional writer, prior to meeting Cassady. I've been reading Kerouac's works for almost 40 years, heard and read a great deal of critique surrounding his style and contenr. This is the first time that I have ever heard it proposed that Jack's literary intentions were patterned after Cassady's personality. The whole notion is quite preposterous actually, since no writer could produce the volume of work that Kerouac generated by borrowing the muse of another. That is not writing, that is stenography, and I think it's safe to say that it's clear which one Kerouac was. He had his own muse that helped him to shape his own specific voice

[@tarralynne9256]

In a way.. Neil is Huckleberry Finn. Jack is Tom Sawyer.

[@malbuff]

Never apologize, never explain. You did good.

[@bruceschaffer101]

In my opinion, this is not "good work for a 16 year old"---it's superb, period. It's a visual feast; you've chosen great pictures and video clips and presented them beautifully. Terrific job on the interviews; great insights and information (cool to see that Cassady's kinetic energy lives on in his son). The music works marvelously. The whole video is delightfully informative. Thanks a lot for creating this, and for not taking it down. You are talented. Please keep on creating.

[@SailorBarsoom]

I second that emotion.

[@TheBenrogue]

I third it.

[@GeorgeHenderson]

The First Third is a very readable book. He didn't write much but what he did write is scorching unforgettable stuff. It's not literature like Kerouac or Burroughs, it's a childhood memoir, it's a great slice of American history you won't get anywhere else.

[@cozmicgravy]

I just really want to thank-you for this Cozmicgravy

[@nikbeat9693]

The Irish American genius of the Beat Generation and Muse

[@Jordan__Sloan]

We look up to all these people, but they were tortured souls that died young

[@SailorBarsoom]

This was made by a high school girl? Well she's a grown woman now, and probably working behind the scenes in documentary film. This was quite good, and I'm glad I watched it.

[@rhino805999]

Good post, any info on the Beats, or the counter-culture in general are important. Thank You. I saw Ginsberg once, and it was inspiring.

[@OverlandOne]

Very well done, I enjoyed this. Thanks, Bill

[@TubeSpoker]

Most writers had inspiration on various common lifre figures. We cannot judge them by they way they speak or the background they had ! These video is a important historical register of art, poetry, personas and personages. The myth of youth, nowadays, through the cinema, brought by figures like James Dean, always will live in the human set of archetypes.

[@VulturesAwait]

great job on this video!

[@nordzville]

This is why KZbin in my life = Relevantly necessary dictionary of similar but not known parts of culturez Voices.. I'm 28 and reprezent Hippies :) Forever 27

[@johndoe-xh3sp]

wow this is great i love it and im always down for a road TRIP

[@milascave2]

Very impresive work for a 16 year old. The only beat I ever saw live was Burroughs, two or three times. He was awsome.

[@1mrgringo]

Im no crictic but I would have give you 2 thumbs up if I where. I am sure your teacher is proud of you as a student .Research editting production these elements make it all happen putting it all together is the talent . Well done!!

[@pearce77]

Thanks for making and sharing this! Props Char.

[@carioca56]

I am rereading The Electric Koolaid Acid Test and Tom Wolfe writes that the sign on the bus was written with two U's, like this: furthur. But perhaps he is wrong, as he also mentions Kesey getting paid about $75 for being a guinea pig in front of LSD, whereas Kesey mentions the payment as being more around $25 and a "free lunch."

[@KubasKlimkar]

no man its cool. first time I've see it I thought its official documentary. true. looks professional ...

[@michaelstubenvoll142]

It was cowboy Neil at the wheel. to never never land

[@GoodbyePanama]

Not by any stretch of the imagination could journalist Tom Wolfe be called a Beat writer.

[@milascave2]

Agreed. He was an observer, and he was very square.

[@peterj.andros3996]

Yeah...just remember it's the squares that saved your shitty ass from Hitler and worse...

[@GoodbyePanama]

Kerouac, Ginsberg, Snyder, Burroughs all served. What's your point?

[@carioca56]

Ain't that the truth. Do you know he had a tie on when he rode to New York?

[@carioca56]

His point is he hasn't had a good shit in a while

[@wimbovv]

ha, thanks for all the feedback. i had no idea my video would receive so much feedback...i just posted it here for my teacher because i didn't have any blank dvds. i made it when i was 16 so that explains the young voice. i apologize. also it had to be under 10 minutes so sorry if i glazed over many factors of the beatnik history but they definitely shaped my life, even at 16, and now at 18 they still continue to do so. for those who were worried about them losing their relevance, don't...

[@lastnamefirst4035]

Really enjoyed it. You did a great job

[@blueshade5553]

Beat is now defined as defunct.

[@vespula12593]

Sounds amazing and we will all "burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and go ahhhhh"

[@eibiii]

Very nice! Thanks for posting.

[@BGTuyau]

Fine work from a teenager. Great introduction to The Best Generation for those totally unfamiliar. Gets to its essence, embodied in Neal Cassady. Minor point: Cimino misattributes the "Howl" dedication, though. It's to Carl Solomon, not Cassady. Otherwise, far more enjoyable than much of the standard, ponderous KZbin clickbait. Nice choice of music.

[@dalerbob]

Speed is a hell of a drug .

[@0tto9]

Excellent.

[@lamtcobbpa]

Makes me want to reread visions of cody or on the road...Good vid.

[@mwmingram]

Nice Vid. "Howl" is not dedicated to Neal Cassady but to Ginsberg's friend Carl Solomon who he lived with in a psychiatric hospital.

[@dirkbogarde44]

You will go far young lady. If you don't, I'll eat my goldfish.

[@seanmcd72]

Great video Wim!

[@blastofre]

I agree! Henry Miller was a quintessential influence on the Beats. And as much as I love the Beats, nothing compares to Tropic of Cancer, Sexus and Plexus.

[@orangewarm1]

its overstating that 'Neal was the centre.' there would have been a Beat Generation; they just would have used different characters in their work.

[@Alulim-Eridu]

The entire style, focus, & reach of the beat generation, which was such an influence on the subcultures of the 60's/70's . . .would've been very very different without Neal & his wife Carolyn (Who were both incredibly influential on the majority of the beat writers)

[@tanisfilms]

this is great thanks

[@arbutus27]

If you really are sixteen, you're pretty bright. Good luck in your life.

[@wimbovv]

@TheSchlampampe ya it was filmed at the beatnik museum in north beach san francisco.

[@QED_]

Cassady was the physical side of the Ginsberg (intellectual), Kerouac (emotional), and Cassady friendship. (Think of them in terms of the Karamazov Brothers, if you like . . .). Any kind of conclusion (such as in this video) that one was more significant than the other . . . just repeats the mistake that untimately doomed each of the three of them. Unless you find a way to integrate head, heart, and body . . . distortion is inevitable.

[@newhorizonsforfifty2833]

I don't actually see Cassady the same way as everyone else. I see the individual reader as the center of the Beat movement. Because those books and poems grab hold of the individual soul and I think they would with or without the mention of Cassady.

[@fasteddylove-muffin6415]

Tom Wolfe more so New Journalism, even part gonzo but not a Beat per se. Responding to a statement somewhere around the 7:12 mark.

[@blissbite]

I think this video is awesome!

[@scottprather5645]

Interesting video. terrible sound control on the interviews Way too much background noise. Jazz music in the background is distracting.

[@bobbarkeriii2597]

Jack, his pal Al, and Neil on Wheels.

[@YooTuba]

Nicely put together. The interviews with Cassady's children are especially interesting - they seem like really cool, intelligent people in their own right. Only thing I didn't like was the narrator's voice, which didn't seem to fit the subject matter (too young, sounds sort of like a freshman-year book report) but overall, pretty good job.

[@malbuff]

I never realized how much Jami looks like her mother.

[@bobbuilds1403]

Yep its her fault that we now have songs like WAP must be proud....

[@cesarvivas]

great vid.. people on youtube are not being people, theyre being people on youtube. when youre climbing up a set of stairs do you look back on the first step and feel foolish that you were once there at the bottom?

[@jeromekerngarcia]

Little do you know, cowboy Neal @ the wheel.

[@fasteddylove-muffin6415]

I don't know, a bit overstated saying no Neal Cassidy, then no Beats, no Beats no hippies. In fact that's way overstating it. But Neal Cassidy was an important figure in the '50's--'60's.

[@infoanalysis]

Did you ever meet a psychopath quite charming and invigorating. Why because they are dead inside and can not find peace without pushing the envelope

[@harrygreenstuff]

Wow sixteen... Bravo and you sound great.

[@manwalkingtheearth]

your adolescent voice is fine this is a good video. believe in yourself and stay true to yourself. to hell with the rest.

[@Markforall]

You're awesome!

[@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out]

@putitupmike1 absolutely. this year, having read miller years ago, i finally read "on the road" and often while reading it, i thought of miller's writing. i don't know how much kerouac read miller, but i'd guess more than a little.

[@directorpat]

Great job!

[@ytugtbk]

An interesting period in American life. The rigidity of so many Americans having served in the military during WWII combined with the ongoing Cold War combined with the rise of mass media (radio and tv) combined with the idealism of youth exaggerated through the demographic bubble of the Baby-Boomers, all coming together to fight The Man.

[@zefallafez]

Great summation.

[@peterj.andros3996]

you're an idiot...

[@highnumber9494]

ytugtbk The Beats were a small movement relatively speaking. Such free movements existed prior to the Beats (1920's writers/jazz artists...1840's transcendentalists, etc.).

[@Rhonlynn]

Thankyou

[@O18134]

Counter culture is now culture, and culture is now counter culture.

[@benji.B-side]

Capitalism is driving a culture of materialism, a culture based on the winners and losers, with few winners who profit and with many losers. We are becoming robots, programmed by superficial values, becoming a culture based on what the sellers tell us it should be while they erode cultures with superficial shit. Making life for many a race to the bottom. So you are right on culture is now becoming the counter culture, preserving good morals, values and ethics, not falling for the 'Bling your life up' clap trap of advertising.

[@rogerwolf6235]

Great video.

[@MeaningCorrupted]

i'm trying to keep up with all of this with the best of my knowledge but it's too overwhelming! i have on the road in front of me. it was given to me by a guy i met on the grayhound bus while i was on my way back home from chicago. i haven't read it yet but plant to soon

[@lgmccarville]

it was a syntax revolution of cool

[@websidanjeppe]

oops it went to fast.... Carolyn, of course...

[@ToddPritch]

I loved it. I hope you got an A :)

[@sandrabbitlane]

Speed freaks. Nobody ever mentions speed.

[@raceyboy]

I want to marry the girl who made this. Does any one believe in chivalry any more?

[@vespula12593]

you should take this down so we don't have to do our assignment!

[@iv2sab]

Well done.

[@bobbarkeriii2597]

The Beat Museum: Give it a pass.

[@mikewilkinson4588]

Benzedrine......methedrine.......some of my favorite euphoriants in 1968....... but long term not drugs to be toyed with..........

[@LoveFlatfootin1]

Good content, pictures and video. I wish the narrator would slow down a little and eliminate her vocal fry.

[@dexterpayne]

Nice! Read Neal's book "First Third".

[@Poemsapennyeach]

Interesting...thanks...

[@wimbovv]

@dirkbogarde44 thank you. that means a lot. keep an eye out for me!

[@Deadhippomeat]

Cassady died walking down a railroad track in Mexico overdosing. Wow. what a cultural influence. And Ken Kesey & the Pranksters were so darned dumb they couldn't figure out how to coordinate visual/audio so they created the longest, most expensive silent film ever. Hagiography finally rings hollow.

[@SailorBarsoom]

And George Washington drank whiskey and John Lennon liked acid and Leonardo da Vinci was caught with a male prostitute and Robert E. Howard committed suicide and and and and and. Lots of big-time cultural influences had some warts.

[@jamesk1027]

It was better than going off to Vietnam and dying in an immoral war.

[@adamacote]

good job here!

[@bogeball]

in what ways would you say the Beat writers have affected your life?

[@jordanibarra9211]

bogeball To not care about how I feel and be honest about how I feel about the world and myself

[@dabull136]

Actually, Cassady did write...just not very good. He was much better at talking, having sex (literally, a sex addict), taking drugs (surprisingly, not a junkie though) and driving....the man was a great driver!

[@barneyrubble8255]

who is she saying was a very unhappy man? Ginsberg or Neil? 5:45

[@RATTLEY67]

Cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kaesef2911]

Well said. Guess thats what the internet is for. Creating something that people can use. Even if its not the stuff everybody think is the highest limit of greatness then something usefull at least. Letting people see a working woman in progress' creation. I certainly find it usefull and i am able to look beound the young voice. And if you are anoid by it make something better. That what the great internet is for.

[@LateNotes]

nice job! Keep it online.

[@SuperSquishface]

Christ, I want to marry you too (The person who made this, not Christ Himself!)

[@shadesofb]

what is the song playing in the background?

[@wimbovv]

@southpawax in the process.