Comments on: Ken Kesey

By: MARGRETTA

MARGRETTA — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:59:38 +0000

I grew up in Pleasant Hill, Oregon during the mid and late 1960s.. I can remember going past the Kesey place. Lots of loud music and the bus of course.. Ken was real involved in the school-offered to help coach the wrestling team, but was turned down (Pleasant Hill at the time real conservative. and Ken was on drugs with the Pranksters..) He and the Pranksters would come to school plays and sporting events dress in the Hippie clothing style of the day and people would just stare..But I sure do miss him.. Later on he kick out the Pranksters and starting help at the high school.. His son Zane is still at the farm in P. Hill

By: Remington

Remington — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:45:56 +0000

I bumped into Mr. Kesey several times. Growing up in Pendleton Oregon, I had the pleasure to run across the “man” often as he love to visit “the Round-up City”. The first time I met him I was 20 years old and went to a local drinking establishment that was rather . . . flexible in their observance of OLCC laws. Sitting with him, I bought him a pitcher of brew and he reciprocated. Being a light-weight I had to excuse my self early in the evening. He was quite a story-teller, accessible and down to earth. Many years later, in January of 2001 I was directing a performance of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST. Mr. Kesey invited my cas to visit his farm. He let the students climb all over FURTHER II, fired it up. He and Mrs. Faye Kesey invited us into his home. We sat around as he told tales about filming NOTION, hanging out in Pendleton and living life as an Oregonian. God Bless you Ken. We are staying on the bus.

By: Martin Joseph

Martin Joseph — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:58:19 +0000

I saw “Sometimes” last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. Wonderful acting, wonderful set and well written (considering how the book was written)….all good. Saw Kesey over the years here and there… very engaging guy! However, why is it so many gifted folks reach their pinnacle at such an early age? Orson Welles comes to mind too. As more time passes we either over embellish his or her abilities or perhaps forget all about their great contribution in their time. I am not sure where Kesey falls at this point but regardless his brief time frame of work was outstanding. Maybe the rest of the country does not put Kesey into a higher realm of writing and thought, as they might. Maybe the Northwest puts him a bit to high in the stratosphere, as well. I have known and know many very intelligent and creative people who just don’t seem to put it all together for that one perfect moment as some do, yet they have lead a very productive and giving life for MANY years. Do those people deserve less than someone who maybe does not use their fortunate abilities and timeing to make an impact on a lifetime of work?
No answer from me just a thought…..

By: jeremiah ballard

jeremiah ballard — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:59:32 +0000

It’s so wonderful to read about Ken Kesey from his home state:) Having been reared in upstate NY, I can tell you that part of my affirmation to first travel to Oregon in 2000 was knowing that your friend lived here. That there was sure to be a unique state-of-mind for a certain radius around this legend of our tribe. I’m pretty sure I can still feel his influence in the air at certain gatherings;)
However, I only assuredly experienced his transparent sociability and artistic magnetization in 1997 when the bus helped carry phish from Buffalo to Limestone, ME. I felt he came on board to show us all how to have fun again. Lots of conversation created around him and painting the bus and bobos. So much fun and then treated to all you pranksters on stage playing Wizard of Ozz. A night I care to recall forever.

By: Dan Ness

Dan Ness — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:30:47 +0000

In 1999, I worked at Eugene’s finest video rental store, Flicks ‘n’ Pics. Ken Kesey’s wife called to see if we had a copy of “Paint Your Wagon,” the musical western with Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin. Ken came in from Pleasant Hill, set up an account, and rented “Paint Your Wagon,” returning it two days late and never renting there again. His 2 dollar late fee was on the computer for a couple years. I pointed it out to this kid who got a job there but who also worked at Pleasant Hill’s only video store. He told me Kesey came in there all the time to rent videos and once told this kid that “Johnny Mnemonic” was “ahead of it’s time.” I drove out there once because they were the only video store that still had a copy of “Thrashin.’” Later on, I showed the owner of Flicks ‘n’ Pics that Ken Kesey had a 2 dollar late fee on his sole rental and suggested that we call him on it. The owner thought it amusing but just deleted the late fee. Johnny Mnemonic “ahead of it’s time.” The only reason I’m going to rent that video someday is because of that comment.