But wait! There's more! Anyone know where Dylan himself was when he wrote "Mr. Tambourine Man?" Why, he was in Aronowitz's house! "Mr. Tambourine Man" was not only a major turning point in Dylan's career (the transition from didactic, angry protest songs to surreal, absurdist, idiosyncratic poetry), but it was the song that jump-started the Byrds' career they hit with it in the spring of 1965. Their success with that single jump-started the genre known as folk-rock, which was the movement that allowed intelligence into rock lyrics (and ALSO influenced Rubber Soul). And the fact of "Mr. Tambourine Man" gave the Byrds a career, which led them to pioneer psychedelia in December of '65 ("Eight Miles High"), THEN brought them around to invent country-rock in 1968 (Sweetheart of the Rodeo). And, though I know this is stretching it a little, to some extent it all happened by virtue of Al Aronowitz having Dylan over for lunch.
Maybe it's just the "butterfly effect," but talk about an indirect influence! Al Aronowitz was an innovator in rock and in rock journalism, neither of them really on purpose but both enduring and incalculable. How many people had a hand in so many major turning points of popular culture?
This is the man we lost yesterday. He had become a force in internet journalism in the last ten years, and was working on a book about both Mick Jagger and Miles Davis when he died of cancer yesterday at 77, says CNN. Damn shame we'll never get to read it. If it had half the bustling vitality and color of Aronowitz's other writings (and accomplishments), it promised treats aplenty.
So long, Al. You accidentally changed Western culture; may the rest of us have such accidents in our lives. Thank you for teaching the world to take popular culture movements seriously. Thank you for being there at the right time and the right place; your actions, deliberate and incidental, place those of us who love art deeply into your debt.
Ed and Pub:LM
Article comments
1 - Bob Dinerstein
I had the privilege of knowing Al and once you got past his ecentricities you discovered that he was an incredible font of knowledge about the rock and roll greats.
Yes, he was pivotal in Bob Dylan's career and he introduced Dylan to the Beatles, but he was so much more than that. He was the confidant of many of the preeminent rock and rollers; a position he earned and deserved because he understood them in a manner few could. Of course, the same thing applied to his friends in the world of the inhabitants of Greenwich Village in the 50s and 60s.
Yes, the untimely death of his wife had an tsunami like effect on his life; I don't think he ever recovered from the loss.
If you are a fan of those Al promoted, the Allan Ginsbergs, Jack Keroacs, Bob Dylans and it goes on and on, you missed a great opportunity if AL didn't share his insights with you. If you knew him well, you would know that in the 70s he devoted his energies to promoting country music in the City. Once again, he was ahead of his time. The SIlver Fox, Charlie Pride, Roy Clark, the Mandrell Sisters, etc., etc. A few years later the country music contacts he developed would have made him rich.
I lost touch with Al some 15 years ago and it must have been fate that reconnected us only a few months ago. While I never had his keen ear for rock and roll and never shared his friendship with the celebrity music makers, his demise is a loss to those who were privileged to know him.
2 - Eric Olsen
thanks very much for sharing that with us, Bob
great job on this Mike! His role deserves a lot more attention
3 - Eric Olsen
btw, we have reviews of Aronowitz books here and here
4 - Birgitta Jonsdottir
I got to know Al 1998 when he asked me to join in on the Allen Ginsberg memorial committee. After we had been rained out of the bandshell many of the poets and writers that had arrived at central park to perform, went to an open mike event together. Al read for us his Billy Holiday story and it touched me deeply. Been a part of his blacklisted journalist movement ever since and been fortunate to meet him a couple of times while in New York.
I just wanted to thank you for a good article on this man that played such a big role in shaping our world and despite a strange and twisted life, managed to regain his sharp focus and create a platform of expression not only for himself but others as well.
He was an inspiration and I only wish I would have had a chance to meet him one more time before he passed away.
I hope there will be a great gathering, an unforgettable event to celebrate Al's work and spirit.