Beat Generation Gallery
FREEWHEELIN FRANK AT McCLURE'S PLACE
San Francisco 1966
Michael McClure introduced me to Freewheelin. They were doing a book together for Grove Press and needed a cover shot. Frank was the secretary of the San Francisco branch of the Hell's Angels. He would dictate the book to McClure who would type the words. I liked Frank very much; he was always good to me. He gave me a Hell's Angels protection card, just in case. He would invite me to parties, drive-in movies, etc., but I was too afraid to go.
THE MANUSCRIPT
San Francisco 1966
Freewheelin Frank and Michael McClure were writing a book together about Frank's life as a Hell's Angel. It is an 'as told to' book because although Frank was the secretary of the local chapter of the Angels, he was illiterate (but he had a steel-trap memory). I saw the unfinished manuscript on McClure's bed and thought it was a good establishing photograph. Years later, I asked Michael why he did not use a computer in his work. He told me there would not be a hand written manuscript (typed with corrections/changes and drawings) for the archives and a diskette had no real value.
MICHAEL & JOANNA
San Francisco 1966
Michael and Joanna McClure are playing with some toys at a friend's home in this photograph. I enjoyed hanging out with the McClures and watching the way they raised their daughter Jane. I learned a lot about raising my daughter Chelsea from them.
McCLURE FAMILY OUTING
San Francisco 1966
I took Michael and his family sailing with me on SF bay. Joanna is sailing the boat in this photograph. As I remember, it was their first time on the bay and Joanna's first time at the helm. She did great job. On our way back to port their daughter, Jane, sat on the bow. A big wave came by and she fell into the water. As we sailed by her, a couple of seconds later, Michael scooped her up in one fast motion. It gave all of us a real scare. Days later, Michael told me that a knowledgeable friend told him that children's small 'adventures' are ok. We all felt better.
