Tosh Berman is the author of the wonderful memoir TOSH : Growing Up in Wallace Berman's World. Tosh is the son of Shirley and Wallace Berman, central figures of the underground Beat-era art scene in Los Angeles from the 1950s thru 1970s. Wallace was a well-respected experimental artist whose friends included many famous artists, musicians, actors and poets of that time including Allen Ginsberg, the Rolling Stones, Dennis Hopper, Ramblin'Jack Elliot, Dean Stockwell and the list goes on. So young Tosh grew up around all these famous characters of the LA arts scene and his book shows that world thru the eyes of a child and teenager.
It was great to talk with Tosh about his book and about life in L.A. then and now. We discovered that Tosh is also an actor who co-starred in several experimental art films with the GoGos drummer Gina Schock. He also hosted a tv talk show in the late 1980s called Tea with Tosh interviewing various artists and musicians, most notably composer Philip Glass. More recently he puts out a video series called Tosh Talks where he discusses literature, music and culture.
In addition to his TOSH memoir, he has also published a book of his poetry called The Plum in Mr. Blum's Pudding, and a memoir of his experiences following the band Sparks in London and Paris called Sparks-Tastic.
Tosh is an editor and publisher as well. His publishing house TamTam Books focuses on 20th century international literature, specializing in the works of Boris Vian, Serge Gainsbourg, Jacques Mesrine, and Sparks.
Order a signed copy of his memoir TOSH here
or get a copy from City Lights Books
Check out & subscribe to /Tosh's writings on substack
Explore Tosh's publishing house
and his Tam-Tam Books Blog
check out Tosh's vinyl and CD Collection with his reviews
watchTosh Talks and Tea with Tosh and subscribe to his You Tube
See the experimental film he co-starred inwith Gina Shock.
listen to Tosh's wife Lun'na Menoh's unique band Les Sewing Sisters
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