Why do rock stars love a thick-bearded Minnesotan poet who killed himself in 1972?
Over at MSP Magazine, the poet John Berryman gets a thoughtful profile–speculating that the author of The Dream Songs is “poised for revival.”
One footnote mentions recent indie rock songs that reference the poet. As a public service, GalleyCat has collected those four artists and songs into The Unofficial John Berryman Rock & Roll Concordance. Visit these sites to create a literary mixtape:
Start with The Hold Steady in the song, “Stuck Between Stations.”
Then, listen to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds in the song, “We Call Upon The Author.”
And then, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah in the song, “Mama, Won’t You Keep Them Castles in the Air and Burning?”
And finally, check out Okkervil River‘s masterpiece, “John Allyn Smith Sails.” (Thanks, Fimoculous)