Celebrating the Spoken Word: "Charlie Parker" by Jack Kerouac

In 1961, Jack Kerouac collaborated with Steve Allen to produce an album of Kerouac's poetry readings accompanied by Allen's piano improvisation. One of my favorite tracks from that albunnm is "Charlie Parker."

-

Jazz and Jack Kerouac (with Steve Allen)

The pioneering broadcast journalist Fred W. Friendly once said, “Television makes so much at its worst, that it can’t afford to do its best.*” Steve Allen, one of the television pioneers working in front of the camera was an exception to Mr. Friendly’s observation, as we see in this television interview he did with Jack Kerouac. 

___________________

* Quoted by Garrison Keillor on The Writer's Almanac, October 30, 2019.



-

Monday Music: Frank Zappa on The Steve Allen Show

An early television appearance by Frank Zappa in The Steve Allen Show. Steve Allen was one of th e pioneers of television. He created The Tonight Show and was probably one of the most intellectual and well-read entertainers of the day, as well as being a true humanitarian.

Here, Frank Zappa demonstrated how to turn the bicycle into a musical instrument and plugs his new record. Allen has a hilarious time and likens the young Zappa's efforts to the new atonal music that was coming on the scene in academic circles.

(When you hit the "play" button below, you will be directed to watch the video on YouTube. Just follow the link and you'll be able to watch it)