Beat Generation Jazz Poetry

​It was John Mitchell, the owner of Gaslight Cafe, wanting to make more money. I read my poetry at the Gaslight and became the poetry director along with John Brent.

​I suggested to John Mitchell, “Hey, why don’t we try a little folk music, between poetry.” He said, “Mr. Romney, I’ve made all my money with poetry!”

​I answered, “C’mon. John, let’s just try it.”

​It was a smash.

​I remember when Bob Dylan came down into the Gaslight. He was wearing Woody Guthrie’s underwear. He had a sign on his guitar that read, “This machine kills fascists.” He said to me, “Hey, man, can I go on?”

​It was a hootenanny. I just grabbed the mic and said, “Here he is, a legend in his own lifetime. What’s your name, kid?”

​We ended up sharing a room above the Gaslight. “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” was written with my typewriter.