David Peel: The Dope-Smokin’ Pope of the New York City Hippies

David Peel: The Dope-Smokin’ Pope of the New York City Hippies

By the time the Age of Aquarius hit my little Pennsyltucky town, it was already the Age of Libra. For years we stared at our cabinet TVs with envy at the scenes of flower-children burning draft cards in Chicago, marching for peace in D.C., and dancing in hallucinogenic stupor in Golden Gate park. Just when we'd nearly given up hope that we'd ever be hip, God answered our prayers and gave us something to break the monotony of our boring, bourgeois lives: a bearded, long-haired, blurry-eyed, sandaled dude whom the town elders affectionately called "The Dirty Hippie." So touched was he by this moniker that he actually painted the nom de freak on the side of his psychedelically embellished pickup truck. What a treat to see him whiz by -- "Sunshine of your Love" and fragrant smoke wafting from his windows -- as we walked home from school. "Hey look! It's the Dirty Hippie!" we'd cry out as we waved. I have no idea whether our token tokin' rebel embraced the make-love-not-war ideology of the times, but he looked like he stepped right out of central casting for "Easy Rider." And that was good enough for us. We didn't want any trouble-making pinko types, anyway. We weren't ready for our small hamlet to become infested with the city-bred rodent variety of hippie -- like those personified by David Peel.

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Let’s Levitate Abbie From the Grave!!

Let’s Levitate Abbie From the Grave!!

"Wanted: Charismatic crusader. Someone who can combine smarts, satire, moxie, and adrenaline to combat all that plagues modern society, from gas drilling to corporate pillaging." Well, we have just the man for the job. Too bad he's dead. Attention: this is an important history lesson for all you sweet young things born after the baby boom! The subject is Abbie Hoffman, who died 25 years ago today. He was one of the most colorful pranksters and political activists of the 1960s, and a hero to many. His outlandish behavior inspired many to become politically active, question authority and protest the Vietnam war. Hell, his FBI file consisted of over 13,000 pages.What an adorable little bad-ass Jew!

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67 Shots in 13 Seconds: The Kent State Tragedy and the Songs that Immortalized It

67 Shots in 13 Seconds: The Kent State Tragedy and the Songs that Immortalized It

Devolution. devəˈlo͞oSHən. The descent or degeneration to a lower or worse state. My personal example: "The human race appears to be in a state of devolution - evolving backwards toward an earlier Neanderthal period - as evidenced by the barbaric killing of four unarmed college students by troops with M1 rifles." I'm referring, of course, to the Kent State University killings of May 4, 1970. The most famous song to emerge from the tragedy was Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's "Ohio," which was released one month after the slaughter. Through the years artists have released at least 30 lesser-known songs about the massacre. Here are a few.

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The Word of Law — Courtesy of Robert Zimmerman, Esquire

The Word of Law — Courtesy of Robert Zimmerman, Esquire

"Your Honor, the defense is trying to sway the jury with inane references to a counter-culture rock song," said the District Attorney. So, what song could the defense attorney possibly be citing? It's Bob Dylan's word-twister from 1965, "Subterranean Homesick Blues." This iconic '60s rap-anthem contains a line that's been quoted by judges, lawyers and law scholars more than any other lyric from popular music. If you ever get busted, you better hope your lawyer is a Dylan fan.

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How Come Together Came Together

How Come Together Came Together

John Lennon was one spinal cracker, alright. Who else would LSD guru Timothy Leary ask to write a campaign song for his ill-fated gubernatorial run against Ronald Reagan in 1969? Lennon set out to write a song based on Leary's campaign slogan, Come Together, Join the Party. His original lyric began, "Come together right now, don't come tomorrow, don't come alone." Leary felt the words were awkward and the song unusable. Little matter; the aspirations of the PhD psychologist-turned drug advocate would soon come to an end when he was imprisoned for marijuana possession. But by now John had a good title. And he ended up writing one of his edgiest, self-described gobbledygook songs, ever.

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