Timeline

1970 – The End of the Golden Years

February 26. In the local alternative newspaper, the Free Spaghetti Dinner, I wrote in my regular column, "Scientific Advice on the Politics of Life," under my pseudonym, Dr. Abraham Clearquill: "Last Fall I felt that the emerging comm... Read more

Feb

1970

1969

The Barn closed. The Catalyst closed. Jack Kerouac died. Ralph Abraham got into trouble at UCSC for political actions, along with Paul Lee.... Read more

Jan

1969

1968

Spring: Ralph visits Santa Cruz, the Barn, meets Peter Demma. Fall: Ralph moves to Santa Cruz, gets in trouble at UCSC.... Read more

Mar

1968

1967

Paul Lee (philosopher, founding editor of The Psychedelic Review) and Page Stegner (writer, son of Wallace Stegner) joined UCSC. Jefferson Airplane played in Santa Cruz. Hippies moved into the Holiday Cabins in Ben Lomond.... Read more

Jul

1967

1966

Bookshop Santa Cruz opened by Ron Lau. In the summer, the Barn opened in Scotts Valley by Leon. It featured dances similar to the acid tests, with fluorescent wall paintings by Joe Lysowski and Pat Bisconti. Great artists such as Ja... Read more

Jan

1966

1965

November 21, Wavy Gravy’s Lysergic A GO GO in LA , with light show by Del Close. November 27, the first Acid Test, in Soquel, near Santa Cruz. UCSC opened in the Fall. The Hip Pocket Bookstore closed. Ron Lau purchased the boo... Read more

Jan

1965

1964 – The Golden Years Begin

Ken Kesey published Sometimes a Great Nation, formed the Merry Pranksters. The bus Further took them to New York for a Kesey book event. Neal, Ron Bevirt, Lee Quarnstrom, Stewart Brand, Ed McClanahan and others were on the trip. Pe... Read more

Sep

1964

1963

Peter, while running a bookstore in San Diego, visited Big Sur. In the hot baths with Ron Bevirt a plan was hatched to open a bookstore in Santa Cruz called the Hip Pocket Bookstore. The sign was to be made by Ron Boise, a sculptor... Read more

Jan

1963

1962

Leon Tabory, psychiatrist, moved into Neal Cassady’s house in Los Gatos, and opened an oce in Santa Cruz. Kesey published One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.... Read more

Jul

1962

1961

Peter Demma, discharged from military service, moved to Palo Alto, met Ken Kesey and Neal Cassady.... Read more

Jan

1961