The Inspiration

February 8, 1926 - February 4, 1968
photo by Allen Ginsberg

• Utahns should embrace Neal Cassady. He was, after all, born if not on a Utah road, then at least beside it in in 1926. The inspiration behind Beat literature and the concept of free, spontaneous prose, Cassady led a lifestyle of exploration and encouraged others to do the same. Many say such encouragement eventually led to a little something known as the Hippie movement. The NEAL CASSADY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION today marks his 80th birthday (he died in Mexico in 1968). Festivities include the lecture “Neal Cassady and The Beat Generation” by author Michael Schumacher at 11 a.m. at Weber State University’s Stewart Library. Later in Salt Lake City, John Sillito gives a brief presentation at the site where Neal Cassady once lived (48 W. Broadway) at 6:30 p.m.. Finally, a reading and celebration of Cassady’s life and work takes place at 7 p.m. at Ken Sanders Rare Books (268 South 200 East), with brief remarks by Michael Schumacher. All events are free. SLCW.