Rare Books and Manuscripts Library

William S. Burroughs interview conducted by Howard Brookner, October 26, 1978 and November 29, 1978

Public Deposited

Credit Line

  • William S. Burroughs Papers, Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, The Ohio State University

Details

Title
  • William S. Burroughs interview conducted by Howard Brookner, October 26, 1978 and November 29, 1978
Alternative Title
  • SR 28-31
Creator
Contributor
Language
Resource Type
Genre
Date Created
  • November 29, 1978
  • October 26, 1978
Permanent Link
Unit

Description

Summary
  • In 1978, Howard Brookner, director and film producer, interviewed William S. Burroughs for his film, titled “Burroughs: The Movie,” a documentary about Burroughs’ life and work. Side A: In this recording, dated as October 26, 1978 and November 29, 1978, William S. Burroughs and his companions discuss their personal experiences and opinions about wild animals and firearms. The conversation moves on to a photograph album which William S. Burroughs, Jr., found in a "community bin," appreciating the quality of the photos and speculating about the people in the photographs. Burroughs, Jr. then describes his predilection for Krakatoa clove cigarettes, leading to a discussion about smoking. Following these conversations, the recording recounts their dinner plans, financial situations, travel activity, and planning for the Nova Convention, where Burroughs and the others debate the room layout. Side B: In this recording, the participants of the Nova Convention, including Burroughs and Brion Gysin, plan the Nova Convention, discussing their sets, the needed stage and sound set-ups, etc. The recording also catches James Grauerholz playing a guitar and multiple conversations occurring at once.
Description
  • Side A: sound of clapperboard can be heard throughout the recording
  • Side B: periodic gaps in the recording
  • Side B: buzzing feedback heard at approximately 18:26 minutes making it difficult to hear the speakers and continues until approximately 22:33 minutes
  • Side A: some profanity can be heard at approximately 24:13 minutes
  • Side A: loud background noises, mostly traffic and sirens, can be heard at approximately 25:45 minutes and continues until 26:16 minutes
  • Side B: multiple conversations between individuals can be heard in the background at approximately 26:55 minutes until approximately 33:59 minutes
  • Side A: silence begins at approximately 15:30 minutes and continues until approximately 24:07 minutes
  • Side B: silence begins at approximately 16:26 minutes and continues until approximately 18:25 minutes
  • Side A: periodic gaps in the recording
  • Side A: sound of water running begins at approximately 07:17 minutes and continues periodically throughout the recording
  • Side A: loud feedback burst can be heard at approximately 35:00 minutes
  • Side B: guitar can heard at approximately 23:07 minutes and continues until approximately 25:52 minutes (played by James Grauerholz)
  • Side A: speakers become muffled at approximately 24:24 minutes which continues until approximately 40:19 minutes (even when played at high volume)
  • Side B: sound of clapperboard can be heard throughout the recording
Provenance
  • According to James W. Grauerholz, executor of William S. Burroughs' estate, the audio tracks were Howard Brookner's safety copies of his sound rolls for the film “Burroughs: The Movie”

Find This Item

Item Identifier
  • SPEC_RARE_CMS_87_audiofile_26
Collection Identifier
  • SPEC.RARE.CMS.0087
Related Finding Aid
Source Collection
Source
  • Item digitized from Box 57, William S. Burroughs Papers (WSB97), Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, The Ohio State University Libraries

Additional Details

Extent
  • 00:34:09 [Side B]
  • 00:40:19 [Side A]
Medium
  • Audio cassette
Time Period (Topic)
Subject
File Format

Access Condition

Access Rights
  • Users may access the recordings on site in an Ohio State University Libraries’ reading room.
Rights Statement
Rights Note
  • This item, made available for research and educational purposes, may be protected by copyright; the user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status.

Relationships

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Items

Thumbnail Title Date Uploaded Visibility Actions
Asset Front 2018-12-31 Public
Asset Back 2023-12-01 Public
Box Side 2018-12-31 Public