Al Aronowitz
(1928 - 2005)
American journalist, counter-culture figure
A professional journalist since 1950, Al Aronowitz, founder, editor and publisher of THE BLACKLISTED JOURNALIST, has met and/or has known; or has had a friendship with and/or has had a close association with; or has interviewed and/or has written about some of the greatest figures to have ennobled our culture, including Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassady, Michael McClure, Jerry Garcia, Phil Spector, Janis Joplin, Bobby Darin, Jane Fonda, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Brigitte Bardot, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Barbara Streisand, William Carlos Williams, , Ernest Hemingway, Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Carole King, Gerry Goffin, David Bowie, Peter Townsend, The Band, Merle Haggard, Charlie Pride, Johnny Cash, Steve Allen and ad infinitum. Many of whom, if not all, are or will be featured in articles and stories on this website.
Al Aronowitz, "Godfather Of Rock Journalism," Dies At 77
01-08-05 - It is with sadness that we report the passing of famed journalist Al Aronowitz, who succumbed to cancer on Monday morning, August 1st. Widely known as "the Godfather of rock journalism," Al liked to joke that the 1960's would not have been the same without him; after all, it was Al who introduced beat poet Allen Ginsberg to Bob Dylan, Dylan to the Beatles, and the Beatles to marijuana. And the rest, as they say, is history. The full story of this event - and details of Al's close relationship with both Dylan and the Beatles - was told in the author's recent book, "Bob Dylan And The Beatles, Volume One of the Best of the Blacklisted Journalist."
Aronowitz followed up that book with "Bobby Darin Was A Friend Of Mine, Volume Three of the Best of the Blacklisted Journalist," which came out just a few months ago. The author felt this was his way to keep a promise he made to his dear friend Darin...to collaborate on a biography of the singer, who died before the two could begin the book.
A highly respected writer, Aronowitz is recognized as being responsible for inspiring Hunter S. Thompson and counted among his close friends Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, George Harrison, Miles Davis, Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan and many more. At the time of his death, Al was working on a new book, "Mick and Miles," detailing his bringing together Miles Davis and Mick Jagger.
Michael J. West, writing on Blogcritics.org, called Aronowitz: "One of the taproots of the rock & roll family tree...a terrifically important journalist in postwar America...one of the pioneers of rock journalism."
Al's son Joel was at his father's bedside when Aronowitz passed away from "cancer with all the complications that go along with it." Although the cancer was widespread, miraculously Al never experienced the pain so often associated with his condition. Joel was playing one of Aronowitz's favorite albums for him - Miles Davis' "Kind Of Blue" and said that Al took his final breath just as the track "Blue In Green" ended.
Funeral services were held August 4 th in Union, NJ and at graveside in Newark, NJ. Plans are being made for a larger memorial commemoration to take place in New York City in the fall with musicians, writers, poets and others speaking and performing. Further details and updates will soon be posted on this website.
Members of the media may contact Aronowitz's niece Sari Becker, who is coordinating the Al Aronowitz memorial event at miadmiad@aol.com .
Aronowitz graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Rutgers University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Letters in Journalism. He is survived by two sons, Joel Roi Aronowitz & Myles Aronowitz, one daughter, Brett Aronowitz, two sisters, Pearl Becker & Irene Kramer, his longtime companion Ida Becker, and two grandchildren.
This site will be posted indefinitely as a tribute to the legacy of the "Godfather of rock Journalism", Al Aronowitz, and will continue to offer readers compelling writing that's “Gotta be fun to read or have a damn good reason why it aint” .
The news of his passing has been covered extensively both in the national and international media, including CNN, all major networks, AP, UPI, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, The London Times and many more. Condolences to his family have poured in from all over the world, from celebrities and writers who knew him, to people who were touched and moved by his writing.
It is a bittersweet feeling at a time like this to realize how many people loved and respected our father. Many thanks to all of you for your heart felt condolences.
- Myles, Brett & Joel Roi Aronowitz
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