Jim Carroll to make Michigan appearances
By Mackenzie A. Wilson
The State News, Michigan State University
20 February 1998
Like many who associated themselves with psychedelic drug trips and carefree living during the past three decades, artists have been dismissed as just “another junkie.”
Drugs and unorthodox views hail some of those “junkies” we as a society love to adore — Timothy Leary, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain.
Their world of drug abuse, decorated fame and societal pressure paralyzed them, crippling them to a death which made them legends.
Some of those other “junkies” who sustained life’s trials — Courtney Love, Boy George, the late William S. Burroughs and most notably, renowned poet and rock performer Jim Carroll.
Carroll is widely known for his famous book turned mainstream movie, “The Basketball Diaries.”
Once a Catholic smart-mouth from the streets of New York City, Carroll’s preadolescent life is captured in this diary. With the success of the film, starring pre-“Titanic” heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio, and the sudden interest in the Beat Generation (Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac), Carroll’s name finally engraved itself for global recognition.
“The Basketball Diaries,” joins a string of written works by Carroll including, “The Book of Nods,” the former Pulitzer Prize nominee “Living at the Movies,” and “The Basketball Diaries” sequel, “Forced Entries: The Downtown Diaries 1971-1973.”
A collection released in 1993 called, “Fear of Dreaming: The Selected Poems of Jim Carroll,” includes 15 fairly recent poems by Carroll and a multitude of previously printed works.
Carroll’s work doesn’t stop there.
During the late 1970s to mid-1980s, the Jim Carroll Band had a trio of albums, including the tagged ‘punk anthem,’ “People Who Died” from the “Catholic Boy” album.
“Praying Mantis,” a 1991 release of spoken-word performances and “A World Without Gravity: The Best of The Jim Carroll Band” was released in 1993 as well.
Carroll has a rushing drive to share his life and his opinions concerning present vitality. His approach is so appealing that an instant attraction manifests.
Along with creating his own work, Carroll has also participated in several side projects such as “Kerouac: Kicks Joy Darkness,” a tribute compilation of the late Kerouac’s poems set to music.
Carroll is featured reading and singing “Woman” accompanied by Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo, former Patti Smith Group guitarist Lenny Kaye and Anton Sanco.
Along with Carroll, Patti Smith, Steven Tyler, Michael Stipe and Hunter S. Thompson contribute.
A 1998 Spoken-Word Tour reestablishes Jim Carroll’s rule in overcoming barriers of societal conformity.
Today, he makes his first Michigan appearance in two years at Ann Arbor’s Blind Pig and on Saturday at the Magic Stick in Detroit.
Tickets are $12.50 and are still available through TicketMaster by calling (517) 484-5656.
A mystical, mesmerizing genius who characterizes the art of being an individual — Jim Carroll. His work remains a growing masterpiece which will be regarded with similar respect to the likes of mentors Burroughs and Ginsberg.
Get mystical this weekend.
Check out the Jim Carroll web site at JimCarroll.forbin.com for more Jim Carroll related news.
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The original online version of this article was found at http://www.statenews.com/editionsspring98/022098/ms_jim.html