To say Hunter S. Thompson was in a league of his own would be a bit of an understatement. Thompson, a Louisville native, and creator of Gonzo Journalism, was known for his many antics. Journalistically speaking; for inserting himself into his own stories and actually becoming part of the assignment. Thompson would thrill seek and risk-take his way through many of his assignments, often times hyped up on his substance of choice in the process. He was a lover of guns, drugs, booze and women. He didn’t trust the government, or hardly anyone else for that matter. He rode with the Hells Angels, followed and insulted Richard Nixon on the campaign trail, and even ran for Sheriff in Aspen, Colorado, almost winning. Thompson was a bit of mad man to say the least. A working rage-a-holic. One whose mission was to redefine the very concept of professional journalism by unseating as many of his readers and editors as he possibly could in the process. Mission accomplished if you ask me.
Hunter Thompson’s legacy will be celebrated this Saturday, Ocotber 15 at the 2nd Annual Gonzofest at The Monkey Wrench in the Highlands. You’ll get a heavy dose of live music from both national recording artists & Louisville artists, along with poets, authors, visual artists and Congressman John Yarmuth. WFPK’s Kyle Meredith will emcee the organized chaos.
Musically speaking, headlining this year's event is Athens, Georgia-based alt-rockers, The Whigs. Louisville music favorites like The Broken Spurs, Scott Carney from Wax Fang, Cougar Express, and Nerves Junior are also set to take the stage, along with Fresh Millions, David Wax Museum, Tyrone Cotton, Ron Whitehead and The Underground Rats, and Lydia Burrell.
Local artist’s with their work on display will be Andy Cook, Carol McLeod, Evan Lebowitz, and Alexander King - all of whom worked together last year on the "Hunter's Louisville" mural painted on the sidewall of the Monkey Wrench.
So, if you're like me, and feel like partying in the name of one of Louisville’s most exported names, then head on down to the Monkey Wrench Saturday, and together we’ll all say “Thank you Hunter S. Thompson” for giving birth to alternative journalism. "Thanks" for paving the way and laying the foundation for present day nut-jobs like myself to also get published by a real media organization. Now let’s party.
2nd Annual Gonzofest
Saturday, October 15
The Monkey Wrench
1025 Barret Ave.
2:00 pm
$20 advance or $25 DOS
21+
*Photo courtesy of Ralph Steadman
** Jason Ashcraft is a freelance music writer who focuses on Kentucky's original music scene. Visit his blog at LouisvilleScuttlebutt.com or you scan this QR code on your smart phone to view the mobile site:
