HST is the Key

[gonzocanuck]

For a time I wondered how I would write this post, and it occurred to me a few months ago when I bought a copy of Lynn Goldsmith's Rock and Roll photography book. Lynn, as you may recall, photographed HST several times over the years. I realized then, had it not been for HST, that I would have missed out on so much.

I can think of a dozen things about myself that would not have prospered if it wasn't from the natural progression from reading Hell's Angels to collecting old magazines. I looked up all the names that seemed to flutter around him, from Annie Leibovitz to Tom Wolfe and discovered a treasure trove of art, history, movies, photography and writing that I couldn't have imagined.

In some ways he was a lynchpin between the beats and new journalists, and I see that influence all over my bookshelves. If it wasn't for HST, I probably wouldn't have become a web developer; I'd still be loading book trucks at the public library*.

But you don't come to this website to read about me. The personal impact that HST has had on so many readers cannot be ignored though. The personal story is the most common sort of email I used to receive (maybe it still is; I haven't checked my gonzo mail in a couple years). Now that everyone and their dog has a blog, I know there will be lots of stories like that this month. I'm not sure what else I can add to these thoughtful stories, except to add my eternal thanks and appreciation for HST's time on this material plane.

*A few years ago I ran into an old co-worker and she raved about how it was a great time to be at the library because they were hiring for so many positions. The trouble with the library is that nobody leaves unless they die or retire, so there must have been a great retirement wave. Or a death wave. The sad thing is that this was 10 years after I left the library. Oooof!

Comments

id like to say something

[jasontfoley.livejournal.com]

i like your words and maybe someday (i know you live in canada and have a boyfriend or husband or whatever)but you see every year my birthday is on the 4th of may... and so that means the kentucky durby is never more than 3 days apart thought it might be fun

Re: id like to say something

[gonzocanuck.livejournal.com]

That's a cool coincidence and fun way to celebrate. I miss going to the racetrack for the Kentucky Derby. There is no live horse racing where I live anymore and the spirit has kind of gone out of going to the racetrack - it's essentially an OTB.

I feel the hunter in me

[(Anonymous)]

last nite my wife and I watched a video about hunter.

Yes.

[(Anonymous)]

I was nodding my head reading this...I've gotten into at least two other great writers, Tom Wolfe and Tom Corcoran, by way of their HST connection. "Sinisterly," Dustin >:)

[gonzocanuck.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear it. I love Tom Wolfe for his sensibilities (and those white suits :-)). I have never read anything by Tom Corcoran although I have heard of him. I'll have to jot that down on my bucket list.

[(Anonymous)]

hunter inspired so many people. in a way i can honestly say he saved my sanity and pretty much my life. i stopped reading years ago because i couldnt find anythin that i liked. but when my CA teacher recommended fear and loathing to me, it showed me there ARE (or were, at least) people like me and brought me out of my depression. after reading a few of hunter's books, i discovered other authors from hunter's mentioning such as Tom Wolfe, Jack Kerouac, and Ken Kesey to name a few. i only wish i would of discovered all this before his unfortuante death...