It's Fascinating To Observe What the Mirror Does

Jesse Walker | 1.2.2004 1:44 AM

Richard Hell, a founding father of punk rock, is donating his papers to NYU's Fales Library.

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_____ 21 years ago

I certainly respect Mr Hell as a lyricist and from what interviews I've read he seems intelligent and well read. Then he compares himself to Ginsburg. I don't know what I think. The sad thing is how few people praobably care at all.

By the way has anyone read his book?
Howard Owens 21 years ago

I'm just kind of amazed Hell is still alive. There was a time when a Richard Hell still being in the world in 2004 was unthinkable. Of course, if Keith Richards can survive ...
Howard Owens 21 years ago

BTW: Hell's greatest contribution to pop culture: The safety pin as a clothing accessory!
Jesse Walker 21 years ago

I certainly respect Mr Hell as a lyricist and from what interviews I've read he seems intelligent and well read. Then he compares himself to Ginsburg. I don't know what I think.

Hell is one of the few lyricists whose songs often work as poems when you read them in print. "Betrayal Takes Two" would fit well into an anthology of twentieth-century literature.

But I like it better with loud guitars behind it.
_____ 21 years ago

Well there sure were some great guitars behind him. Seems to be way overshadowed by Television and other bands less interesting to me.

And he has to be one of the least prolific - as far as tings released to the public - guys ever so maybe there is a lot contained in his shoeboxes.
Douglas Fletcher 21 years ago

I heard the Univ. of Texas at Austin wanted to collect Willie Nelson's papers, but apparently he already filled them with weed and smoked them.
Tuning Spork 21 years ago

I'm with ______. I'd say Hell was more of a Karouak to Tom Verlaine's Ginsberg. Verlaine was more prolific, but Hell hit you harder.

Oh, and thanks for reminding me of "Betrayal Takes Two"! I haven't heard that record in 20 years and now it's playing in my head. 🙂
wannabeHell 21 years ago

Hey, he got $50,000 for the papers! I call that a happy donation. I bet it's more than he ever made for a record. I love him.
Will Spencer 21 years ago

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't NYU a state funded university?

Are the taxpayers footing the tab for this stupidity?

I would not approve the use of taxpayer funds if this were Beethoven himself -- and Richard HEll is definitely not Beethoven.

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It's Fascinating To Observe What the Mirror Does

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