Remembering Counterculture Icon Paul Krassner

On July 21 in Desert Hot Springs, California, our dear friend Paul Krassner drew his last breath.

There was nobody like him. He was hilarious, gentle and brilliant. He was an author, comedian, TV writer, concert violinist, and founder/editor of The Realist. He co-founded theYouth International Party (YIPPIE) in 1967 along with Abbie and Anita Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Phil Ochs, Ed Sanders, Bob Fass, Stewart Albert, Nancy Kurshan, and Keith Lampe. He wrote countless controversial articles about issues such as abortion, race, religion, and homosexuality.

YIPPIE Aron Kay said of Krassner in a comment to Variety: “[he] inspired many. His impact on us was similar to the Beatles. Without Paul, a lot of things wouldn’t have happened.”

He was an extraordinary loving father to his daughter, Holly, and husband to his wife, Nancy Cain.

We send our love to his family and share condolences with thousands who were part of Paul’s world for 87 years. 
 Here’s a clip from the live one-person performance he did in Chicago at Prop Thtr in 2007, shot by Scott Szczurek:

Share memories and anecdotes about Paul on his memorial Facebook pageand find out how you can help his family on their GoFundMe.