Al Aronowitz Archive Up For Auction
Al Aronowitz by Myles Aronowitz
Al Aronowitz, “The Godfather of Rock Journalism,” born in Bordentown (Burlington County), was the man who introduced Newark poet Allen Ginsburg to The Beatles. He introduced The Beatles to Bob Dylan. He introduced Mick Jagger and Jimi Hendrix to Miles Davis. He introduced The Beatles to marijuana. He was incredibly influential, essential to the rhythms and tenor of the 1960s. A Rutgers graduate, he was friends with Jack Kerouac, and Dylan wrote “Mr. Tambourine Man” in his Berkeley Heights apartment. He managed The Velvet Underground and got them their first gig at Summit High School in Union County. Legend has it they dumped him when they met Andy Warhol and stole his tape recorder. Cancer got him in 2005 at 77 in Elizabeth.
An auction entitled “Celebrating Bob Dylan: The Aronowitz Archive, T Bone Burnett & More” will take place in Nashville on January 18 at The Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum featuring 50 items from his personal archive including Dylan’s original typewritten draft lyrics to “Mr. Tambourine Man.”
His son Myles Aronowitz, in a press release from Julien’s Auctions, says, "Billie Holiday, Jerry Garcia, Carole King, my father was this incredible connector. He was much more than a journalist. He understood what these artists were trying to do. He didn’t just meet these cultural icons, he brought them together. He introduced Nico to Lou Reed. He wasn’t just a writer with a powerbase as a New York columnist. Al had this unique kind of magic. He made these introductions that went on to shape culture itself. It was more than power or influence—there was something truly magical about what he did. The collection represents my father’s instinctive ability to identify and connect with greatness. Each item is evidence of this, and how with his magic, he literally brought you into the room.”
Registering to Bid
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