Herbert Huncke at Ultimatum Festival 1985-05-05

Last on the festival bill—and closing off the proceedings—was beloved Beat Generation legend Herbert Huncke, reading from his book The Evening Sun Turned Crimson. I introduced Huncke, and he led off by saying: “I really want to start off with one particular story here, because I feel that it will fit into the general theme of the festival … a group of creative people, young people trying to do things, it’s very very encouraging for an old man like me… I want to think that things have progressed a little …”

Applause.

J’espere, j’espere un jour que on peut dire 'Herbert Huncke' puis on l’appreciera pleinement son avoir a faire des deferences a la Beat Generation, Kerouac, Ginsberg, Burroughs, tous ca. Maintenant je la fait une derniere fois, la prochaine fois c’est Herbert Huncke, tout seul.

Alright!

Applause and cheers.

[Off mic] Okay, well let me just say first before we start, all, what has happened this evening [unintelligible] a hard act to follow [unintelligible].

Shouts [possibly "plus fort!"]

Chatter.

Oh well, alright, in the mic he says. [On mic] Okay, can you hear now? Yes. See I have a problem with this lighting situation here, regardless of all that. I lost my place. How do you like that?

You have to talk into the mic.

I will in just a minute. Some people can hear me though.

Room noise.

Are you satisfied now? Okay. I really wanna start off with one particular story here because I feel that it will fit into the general theme of the so-called gathering or festival whatever, group of creative people doing things, trying to do things, young people. It’s very very encouraging for an old man like me, you know I want to think that things have progressed [laughs] a little. Boy.

Laughter.

Well, here, I wasn’t gonna read this one, but I will. I’ll start anyway so everything is under control. It’s called "Cuba". It’s a rather strange story in that the individual involved was someone I met and felt somewhat sorry for if I may be permitted to feel sorry about anybody.

Reads "Cuba" from The Evening Sun Turned Crimson [brief moments of laughter throughout].

On April 20th 1989, I invited Herbert Huncke to read at my “Tribute To William Burroughs” soirée at the Foufounes Électriques. His old friend Bill was there, and the two were left together to catch up with each other in a VIP room set up for them. You can read about that special moment - and much more - in my book High Friends In Low Places published by Guernica.

The last time I saw my beloved Huncke was at a party he brought me to at New York’s Chelsea Hotel, in November of 1990.

Applause.

Sorry, it’s not the one I want, oh I can’t do it now [unintelligible].

Applause.

[Off mice] Thank you. [On mic] Let me see if I can find the one I intended to start out with. "Alvarez". One, let’s see, one fifty one, okay, we’ll get there, hell or high water [laughs], ah, there [laughs]. This is a, I feel it’s a very, very sad story mysel - woops. "Alvarez".

Reads "Alvarez" from The Evening Sun Turned Crimson.

Cuts out, light static.

Silence.

Continues reading.

Applause.

Okay.

Applause and cheers.

Kay.

Applause and cheers continue.

[Unintelligible].

Well wait a minute. Okay [over top of audience applause and cheers].

Applause.

You want a rest period, no?

No.

Yeah.

Not really [laughs]. I’m a ham.

Room noise.

[Off mic] I’d like to find something just for [unintelligible].

Cuts out, rustling sound.

Static.

Silence.

[Unintelligible].

Anyway.

Muffled speech.

Reads "Russian Blackie" from The Evening Sun Turned Crimson [muffled audience chatter throughout].

No, it’s alright, if they wanna talk, let ‘em.

Continues reading.

Boy, I can’t see worth a damn anymore.

Continues reading.

Somebody bored?

No.

Boos and shouts of disagreement.

Some people can’t understand it.

It’s alright, if they’re bored they’re bored.

Laughter.

Laughs.

Shut up.

Continues reading.

Applause, muffled speech, and cheers.

Au nom de tous les participants il faudrait remercier et feliciter les organisateurs d’Ultimatum, Alan Lorde et Jo Designs et merci a tous les partic [recording cuts out].

Cuts out, light static.

[End of recording].