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Poet, Punk Rocker Jim Carroll Dead at 60

Won fame with The Basketball Diaries

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 14, 2009 5:11 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Poet and punk rocker Jim Carroll, 60, died of a heart attack Friday in his Manhattan home, the New York Times reports. Carroll is best known for The Basketball Diaries, a book about his experiences as a heroin-addicted basketball star in a New York City private school. A consummate New Yorker, Carroll spent his youth under the wing of beat poets Ginsburg and Kerouac, and later as a fixture in Warhol's Factory.

His looks and dramatic flair also suited him to the punk rock world. Catholic Boy, the 1980 first release of the Jim Carroll Band, has been called the last great punk album. Musical collaborator Patti Smith said Carroll was "pretty much universally recognized as the best poet of his generation. The work was sophisticated and elegant. He had beauty.”

Jim Carroll backstage during 'Arts on the High Wire' at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. 1/11/02.
Jim Carroll backstage during 'Arts on the High Wire' at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. 1/11/02.   (Getty Images)
Beat poet Jim Carroll performs at the benefit 'Arts on the High Wire' January 11, 2002 in New York. The benefits proceeds supports the New York Arts Recovery Fund.
Beat poet Jim Carroll performs at the benefit 'Arts on the High Wire' January 11, 2002 in New York. The benefits proceeds supports the New York Arts Recovery Fund.   (Getty Images)
Author Jim Carroll during 'Arts on the High Wire' at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. All proceeds from the event will benefit the newly formed New York Arts Recovery Fund.
Author Jim Carroll during 'Arts on the High Wire' at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. All proceeds from the event will benefit the newly formed New York Arts Recovery Fund.   (Getty Images)
Jim Carroll, author of 'The Basketball Diaries', before a reading from his new book of poems 'Void of Course: Poems 1994-1997' and other works February 19, 2002 in Brooklyn, NY.
Jim Carroll, author of 'The Basketball Diaries', before a reading from his new book of poems 'Void of Course: Poems 1994-1997' and other works February 19, 2002 in Brooklyn, NY.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
drlarrymitchell
Sep 15, 2009 1:35 AM CDT
Jay- who's gonna remember you 100 years after you're dead? Jim Carroll will have it all over you. You are worthless- Carroll at least made his mark while he was here.
Ucantusethatname
Sep 14, 2009 12:12 PM CDT
"Sirens begin, the red light spins/Hungry go the thieves/Betty's in the sandbox trying to detox/ She always wears long sleeves." The best poet of his generation? No wonder poetry died.
Robert_Dada
Sep 14, 2009 11:54 AM CDT
Thanks for the music, poetry and brutally honest autobiographies Jim. You were a big influence on me. RIP.

 
obituary • poetry • Patti Smith • punk music • beatniks • Jim Carroll

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