Rod McKuen

Rod McKuen (born April 29, 1933) is a bestselling American poet, composer, and singer, instrumental in the revitalization of popular poetry that took place in the 1960s and early 1970s.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Born in Oakland, California, McKuen left home at the age of eleven to find work in order to support his family. After a series of blue-collar jobs throughout the west, McKuen began in the 1950s to excite audiences with his poetry readings, appearing with such well-known poets as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsburg. By the 1960s he had achieved fame, far surpassing in sales the works of the Beat poets who preceded him. He became an icon across college campuses for his ability to capture in verse the feelings of anxiety, love, confusion, and hope that were common during the Vietnam era. His public readings had the drawing power of a rock concert.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

McKuen?s commercial success is unparalleled in the field of modern poetry. His poetic works have been translated into a dozen languages and sold over 65 million copies. Throughout his career he has continued to enjoy sell-out concerts around the world and appears regularly at New York?s famed Carnegie Hall.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As a songwriter, he has contributed to the sale of over 100 million records. His material has been recorded by such artists as Frank Sinatra, Waylon Jennings, The London Philharmonic, Perry Como, and Madonna. McKuen has proven to be a prolific songwriter, penning over 1500 songs. He has collaborated with a variety of internationally renowned composers, including Henry Mancini and John Williams. His symphonies, concertos, and other classical works have been performed by orchestras around the globe. His suite for narrator and orchestra, The City, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Music. His work as a composer in the film industry has garnered him two Academy Award nominations.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Throughout his multi-award-winning career, McKuen has paired his artistic endeavors with a spirit for social reform. Before a tour of South Africa in the 1960s, McKuen demanded ?mixed seating? among white and black concert-goers, opening the doors for successful tours by a variety of African-American performers, including Sammy Davis, Jr. and Ella Fitzgerald. He has also spearheaded efforts to raise AIDS awareness and fund charities for children and senior citizens. His humanitarian efforts have twice won him the prestigious Freedoms Foundation Award.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1933: 1933 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar)....

Oakland, California: Oakland, founded in 1852, is a major city on the east side (also called East Bay) of San Francisco Bay in Northern California in the United States. To its north lies Berkeley, home to the famous university campus (University of California, Berkeley). To its west stands San Francisco, across the Ba...

Jack Kerouac: Jack Kerouac (March 12, 1922 – October 21, 1969) was an American novelist, writer, poet, artist, and one of the most prominent members of the Beat Generation. While enjoying popular but little critical success during his own lifetime, Kerouac is now considered one of America's most important...

Rod McKuen related Images and Photos (experimental)

Rod McKuen	Rod Smith	Rod Carew	Rod Carew
Rod Taylor	Rod Taylor	Hot Rod (1950)(DVD, Remastered)	Rod Cameron
Rod Steiger	Rod Stewart	Hot Rod (1950)	Hot Rod