Jim Carroll 1949-2009

“…it’s part of every man’s dream to rise to the sky…to die, gone forever from American highways, where I nod today, missing nothing really…to disappear…at least for a time this clear October day.”

-Jim Carroll, from the poem “Highway Report” for Jack Kerouac

New York poet, musician and diarist Jim Carroll died of a heart attack this past Friday while doing what he was known best for – writing at his desk. He was 60 years old.

Carroll became best known for his published diaries written between the ages of 12 and 15 in New York during the 1960s entitled “The Basketball Diaries,” due to the film of the same name released in 1995 starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

The diaries tell of Carroll’s experience as a youth and a talented basketball player, struggling through life in New York City in its seedy heyday where drugs were rampant. The young Carroll recounts his experiences in Catholic school, the loss of his friends and the downward spiral of thievery and drug addiction that became self-destructive, but also the inspiration for much of his life’s work. Carroll’s recounting of his unique experiences, which had power, but also humor behind them, became a favorite among youths and was reissued by Penguin in 1987.

There is an apparent influence from Alan Ginsburg, Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs in Carroll’s writing. Carroll met both Kerouac and Burroughs, who were each impressed by the level of his writing for a person of his age. His start with writing came when he was the sports editor of his school’s newspaper at Trinity High School.

Carroll had an early start as a writer – he was published and won awards before the age of 20. Some of his works include the poetry collections “Living at the Movies,” “Fear of Dreaming” and the follow-up diary to “The Basketball Diaries,” entitled “Forced Entries.”

As a New Yorker, Carroll’s poetry reflected the city’s culture through the decades with his loose style and vivid descriptions. He connects a wide range of topics and speaks of profound experiences through few words and expressions in his poetry. Anyone who has lived in or spent time in New York City could appreciate the colorful descriptions of the plethora of people that he encounters and observes on a daily basis while riding the trains, walking the streets and living life.

The 1980 album “Catholic Boy” won him acclaim and respect in the music world and included tracks that pulled directly from Carroll’s life experiences, such as the popular song “People Who Died.”

To make an impression in both the writing and music world was quite remarkable, and Carroll accomplished both. His voice is unmistakable and melodic and while it’s not the usual case for poets, he brought a new life to his poetry through spoken word and was much sought after for readings.

Carroll lived through all shades and shadows of New York City’s history, sometimes getting caught in it, but always bringing those experiences of art and life into his work to create something real for others to read and hear. His passing leaves us with an empty space in the world of modern poetry and he will be missed greatly.