Jim Carroll, the punk rocker who spun engrossing tales of his crazy youth into “The Basketball Diaries,” died Friday in Manhattan, according to The New York Times. He was 60 and the cause of death was a heart attack.
“The Basketball Diaries,” reissued to the mass market in 1980 after its 1978 debut, was a huge favorite among college students for its lurid tales about Carroll’s life as a teenage basketball star at an elite Manhattan private school in the ’60s. During his time there, he kept a journal which he packed with poetry and tales of his drug use. In 1995, the book was adapted for the big screen and starred Leonardo DiCaprio as Carroll.
Carroll’s music evolved through his poetry and, thanks to help from the Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards, he got a three-record deal with Atlantic Records. He went on to publish many poetry collections, including “The Book of Nods” (1986) and “Fear of Dreaming” (1993).
I saw Jim Carroll in spoken word performances several times over the years. Always a hilarious, insightful thought-provoking performance. Was also a big fan of his music. Will miss him greatly.
R.I.P. Jim
I’m very sad to hear about this. I missed an opportunity to see Mr. Carroll’s band. Thank you, Jim. We’ll miss you.
Years ago in University, my friends took me to see him perform even though I didn’t know who he was. I was impressed & after the show, he talked to us & signed autographs. He was a very kind man.
I guess we can add Jim Carroll to “People Who Died.” Teddy sniffing glue, he was 12 years old
Fell from the roof on East Two-nine, Cathy was 11 when she pulled the plug, On 26 reds and a bottle of wine…
I played little league baseball with him. What a gifted athlete and good teammate.