An Extract from the article to be found at Psychedelic Spotlight:
The afternoon before the Be-In, I was hitting my old haunts around the Folklore Center on 17th & Pearl on the east side, which then was a nexus point for the counterculture at that time in Denver. I hung out in the store for a bit going through the new records that were released that week and checking out the various stringed instruments, especially the mandolins which I was very fond of. After a while I meandered down the street towards the Green Spider Coffee House (where I had worked the previous summer) and to my great surprise standing in front of the coffee house was acid guru Timothy Leary and legendary beat poet Allen Ginsberg. I was taken back for a moment, but then I put on my brave face and walked up to them as they greeted me with big smiles. I was feeling somewhat shy, saying hello, and they started to engage with me in conversation. What happened next changed my evolving viewpoint and trajectory in life…. (More at the link above)
It was a pivotal moment in my life. I had just turned 16 years old; I was certainly wild on the streets.
I feel blessed for having this encounter, it is etched in my mind, and in my life’s path to this day. All else followed, sending me in to a future I had no idea about. You never know what is just around the corner, and where fate will lead oneself to.
Both Tim and Allen are gone now, but their influence on my life remains. I have contemplated more than a few times what would have happened if I hadn’t met them on that September afternoon. One can speculate, but on that day, my life pivoted. For that I am eternally grateful.
I have been searching for the photo that the Denver Post published the next day of me dancing with my staff with the God’s Eye on it that I had made for the Be-In. I had a physical copy sent to me by my late sister Rebecca in 1969, I gave it to my girlfriend at that time in Northern California. Perhaps a digital copy is out there somewhere, it would be interesting to see it again.
I have put together a couple of Giclee prints (see below…) that might be of interest to you. Feedback is appreciated.
There is a song link at the bottom, from The Grateful Dead, who were the headliners at the Be-In. Good memories.
Please check out the link to the story!
A big thanks to James Kent, who nudged me into finally telling the story as I remember it.
I've lived my life at times through your wit and soul searching travels. Thank you for sharing another reason why I look forward to reading more.
That I survived to the ripe old age that I am now, is a surprise to me!
Those 2 photos are famous!
Thanks...
Love
I feel the same Tommy!
Miss you...
Love
I experienced a similar 'life pivot' when I met Terence McKenna. Thanks for sharing.