Beat Poet Allen Ginsberg Speaks at Mason

Story and Photos Provided By Adam Fielding, Special Collections & Archives, University Libraries

On February 23, 1983, the influential and controversial Beat Generation poet Allen Ginsberg performed a reading in front of a packed Mason audience in the Student Union II Ballroom.

Ginsburg is best known for his association with the Beat movement of the fifties and sixties, which celebrated nonconformity and spontaneity in art and music. Famous for his works Howl and Kaddish, he read selections of his poetry and sang several songs from his then-recently-released album, First Blues with accompaniment by guitarist Stephen Taylor.

In addition to reading his own work, Ginsberg performed a musical interpretation of two pieces by William Blake, “The Tyger” and “The Nurse’s Song.” After his performance, Ginsburg signed books for the enthusiastic audience.