Kenneth Patchen

"I arrived in San Francisco only a year after Kenneth Patchen's death in 1972, but even then his spirit and legend was a major presence amongst those of us who were" the baby Beats," impressionable, and of the 60' s generation. Kenneth Rexroth was singing his praises. For those of us who have gone their own way, counter-culturally, Kenneth Patchen may be, directly or indirectly, the most important influence on our generations' poetic voice. Along with the likes of Jack Spicer, Bob Kaufman, Jack Hirschman, Philip Lamantia, and the Beats, Patchen sings to us still. Kenneth Patchen: Rebel Poet in America is the long-overdue testament and homage to this modem 20th century icon." -- Thomas Rain Crowe