Al Aronowitz
Alfred Gilbert Aronowitz entered the world on the 20th of May 1928 in Bordentown, New Jersey. This small town sat south-east of Trenton and shaped his early years before he moved to Rutgers University. He earned a degree in journalism from that university in 1950. His father worked as an Orthodox Jewish butcher, providing a humble background for the future rock chronicler.
Aronowitz worked for various New Jersey newspapers during the 1950s before moving to the New York Post. In 1959, he wrote a twelve-part series on the Beat Generation. That project led him to become friends with Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac. These literary giants became central figures in his expanding circle of influential contacts.
the 28th of August 1964 marked a pivotal moment when Aronowitz introduced Bob Dylan to The Beatles inside a New York City hotel room. According to his own journal entries, he also introduced the band members to marijuana at that same meeting. This encounter would later be described by historians as one of the most significant moments in music history.
Aronowitz served as the original manager of The Velvet Underground. He secured their first gig in the auditorium of a high school in Summit, New Jersey next to Berkeley Heights. The group stole his tape recorder and dumped him as manager weeks later after they met the artist Andy Warhol. This brief management stint ended abruptly due to the band's new alliance.
Beginning in the late 1960s, Aronowitz wrote the Pop Scene column for the New York Post. He was fired from this position in 1972 for conflict of interest because he managed bands. His dual role as journalist and manager created an ethical dilemma that ultimately cost him his job at the newspaper.
Aronowitz self-published two books titled Bob Dylan and the Beatles and Bobby Darin Was a Friend of Mine. A third book about Mick Jagger and Miles Davis remained incomplete. He maintained a website called The Blacklisted Journalist until his death on the 1st of August 2005. He died of cancer in Elizabeth, New Jersey at the age of 77.
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Common questions
When and where was Al Aronowitz born?
Alfred Gilbert Aronowitz entered the world on the 20th of May 1928 in Bordentown, New Jersey. This small town sat south-east of Trenton and shaped his early years before he moved to Rutgers University.
What significant event did Al Aronowitz facilitate between Bob Dylan and The Beatles?
The 28th of August 1964 marked a pivotal moment when Al Aronowitz introduced Bob Dylan to The Beatles inside a New York City hotel room. According to his own journal entries, he also introduced the band members to marijuana at that same meeting.
How long did Al Aronowitz manage The Velvet Underground?
Al Aronowitz served as the original manager of The Velvet Underground but lost this position weeks later after they met the artist Andy Warhol. The group stole his tape recorder and dumped him as manager due to their new alliance with Warhol.
Why was Al Aronowitz fired from the New York Post in 1972?
He was fired from this position in 1972 for conflict of interest because he managed bands while writing the Pop Scene column. His dual role as journalist and manager created an ethical dilemma that ultimately cost him his job at the newspaper.
When and where did Al Aronowitz die?
Al Aronowitz died on the 1st of August 2005 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He passed away of cancer at the age of 77 after maintaining a website called The Blacklisted Journalist until his death.