Happy 82nd Birthday to David Amram

From left to right: Larry Rivers, Jack Kerouac, David Amram, Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso (in white hat)

World-renowned musician/composer David Amram, whose verve reminds me of the Energizer bunny, turns 82 today. If you're reading this blog, you probably don't need an introduction, but David was a friend of Jack Kerouac's and is a pillar at the annual Lowell Celebrates Kerouac event. In 2009 we swapped autographed books there, his (Offbeat: Collaborating with Kerouac) for mine (The Beat Handbook: 100 Days of Kerouactions). I'm not sure he remembers that but he always recognizes me at Lowell and we exchange a few words.

David Amram and Rick Dale at Lowell Celebrates Kerouac, October 2009

David's inscription on my copy of his book

David Amram with Crystal at Cappy's, Lowell Celebrates Kerouac, October 2012

This year at Lowell, David and Jack's good friend, Billy Koumantzelis, took questions from the audience at Cappy's. It was wonderful to listen to them reminisce. Click here for a picture.

Click here for a number of links and some of David's memories of Jack, including his obit for Jack in the 1969 Evergreen Review.

Happy Birthday, David, and many more. "All joy for music and stay beat."

See you in Lowell next October!