Jack Kerouac – 1957 Concert Handbill/Mailer
A mimeographed postcard (or handbill) for Jack Kerouac's only nightclub engagement ever. On Thursday, Dec. 19, 1957 Kerouac appeared at New York's legendary Village Vanguard nightclub, along with "the world's leading trombonist J.J. Johnson and his Quartet, jazz singer Beverly Kenney, and the swinging Ellis Larkin Duo." The card refers to this as "his first nightclub appearance ever" and our research indicates it was so unsuccessful and he was so uncomfortable that Kerouac never again appeared in a nightclub or concert setting ever again (he did appear on TV and at readings, but never again at a paid concert date.) This appearance took place soon after the publication of "On The Road" (the card states that it "has been called a "major novel" by the majority of book critics.") Our research has turned up NO other example of this card, nor any other item promoting this engagement. This particular card was sent to the legendary jazz and popular music critic and author Ralph J. Gleason (the late Gleason was the longtime music critic at the San Francisco Chronicle and co-founder of ROLLING STONE magazine.) Amazingly, Gleason saved this in his files, where it sat for 50 years !) In excellent condition, guaranteed authentic with no time limit. Since no other example of this has surfaced in the past 50 years, it's probably going to be a LONG time before another one comes along.
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