Why does the first Woodstock festival in 1969, almost 40 years ago, continue to symbolize the hopes of the hippie generation? The Closer’s Song, a novel by Christopher Cole revolves around this critical moment.
Gerald Calderone, the hero of The Closer’s Song experiences this epiphany while Sly and the Family Stone perform:
“He awoke late that Saturday evening. It was dry and he looked up to see rockets being shot into the dark sky. Just then ‘Sly and the Family Stone’ came on stage. As Sly began blasting his music to the multitude, a half million young people stood and clapped and worked out on top of vans, and raised their arms displaying the peace sign, working themselves into a wild frenzy shouting the words “gotta get highyer!†As Gerald raised his arms in unison with his fellow brothers, for the first time he felt that he had belonged. He knew that that very moment would be the essence of the Woodstock experience that he would carry with him for the rest of his life.â€
He belonged!
Cole’s book is a great story about Gerald’s long strange trip from abused child to seminarian to drugged out hippie. The ending is quite surprising. Gerald becomes the closer… an ace car salesman.
I’ve been through so many of the same experiences that I felt like Calderone was my brother. In fact, my life has revolved around many of the same places… Greenwich Village, Woodstock, upstate New York and San Francisco. The search for enlightenment and internal peace led me, and Calderone, to ping pong between wild hedonism and retreats into reclusion and introspection.
I’ve become cynical about Woodstock. To me, it has become just a small town where I live when I am not on the road working. But, the name Woodstock remains a symbol to people all over the world of… what? I don’t exactly know.
You will, however, find some clues in The Closer’s Song.
written by Stephan Thomas
www.shoutingthomas.typepad.com/harleys_cars_girls_guitar/
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Comments: 9
Thank you from my heart for your interest. This book took many years to write, and I put my soul into it. I believe it has much to offer the reader. Truth is eternal.
I must caution that it deals with tough psychological and moral issues and is written in a frank and candid manner. If your son is of a mature age he might order one for himself also.
christopher cole
Peace!