The box was labeled “Snyder Ginsberg 1956” and it had been at the Hauser Library at Reed College for over 50 years waiting for someone to open it.
Finally, while at Reed researching his upcoming biography of Gary Snyder John Suiter opened the box.
What did he find in it?
A tape containing the earliest known recording of Allen Ginsberg reading Howl!
The reading took place in February 1956 predating Ginsberg’s legendary, and until now presumed first recording of Howl, which occurred at the Town Hall Theater in Berkeley on March 18, 1956.
Gary Snyder, a Reed alumni (class of 1951), and Ginsberg were on a hitchhiking tour of the Pacific Northwest when they visited Reed College in February 1956.
During their two day visit Ginsberg gave a couple of readings one of which was recorded. “On it Ginsberg can be heard reading “Wild Orphan,” “Over Kansas,” “A Supermarket in California” and other poems before someone, presumably Snyder, asks, “Do you want to read Howl?”
Ginsberg replied:”I really don’t…I don’t know if I have the energy.” Then Ginsberg went on to read the “first part of “Howl” in a steadily building rhythm but stops four lines into the second section and says, “I don’t really feel like reading anymore. I just sorta haven’t got any kind of steam, so I’d like to cut. Do you mind?”
“This isn’t just any tape. Not only is it the earliest known recording of one of the most famous poems of the 20th century, but also the sound quality is excellent, and Ginsberg gives a strong, clear reading with enough textual variations in “Howl” and the other poems to keep literary scholars busy for years.” says Jeff Baker in his piece in the Oregonian, Books news: Earliest “Howl” tape uncovered at Reed.
Though there are still some questions ( like who recorded the reading and where, and the tape was labeled ‘Tape 2’ begging the question what happened to ‘Tape 1’ and what was on it) unearthing the recording is a seminal event in Beat history and one that solidifies the role of the Pacific Northwest in the evolution of the Beat Movement.
Reed College Press Release
Short e-mail interview with Gary Snyder by Baker at the Oregonian, Gary Snyder on hitchhiking and “Howl” at Reed