We Use Jukeboxes now, Mr. Cassady vs. Radio I-Ching
I don't think John knows anything about Neal Cassady, but I could be wrong. Neal Cassady was a major player in the Beatnik Generation and driver of the psychedelic counter-culture. In the pages of The Electric Koolaid Acid Test , author Tom Wolfe talked about Cassady and his Radio I-Ching. If I am remembering correctly, Cassady would carry a nonstop monologue whilst driving. As he drove and while he talked, he would occasionally reach over and turn the radio dial. Tom Wolfe said Cassady would magically stop the dial on a song that played off his commentary. Every time. Radio I-Ching. Neal Cassady died in 1968. In 1968, John wasn't even thought of yet. '80's kid - I bet John isn't as old as my last husband; maybe older than my daughter. John feeds money into the jukebox at his bar , and it seems like he knows the words to every song in the machine. I'm sitting at the bar with iced tea and water, working on a series of illustrations which repre...