JOHN KEEL NOT AN AUTHORITY ON ANYTHING

In the fifth issue of his newsletter, from 1984, John complained about the price of stamps, and predicted that computers would make the Post Office obsolete.

The ninth newsletter features Sean Devney on ghosts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Esther Pessin on a dream about the lottery, and Pearl Gonzalez on Patrick Huyghe.

John often wrote up reports for his own files, perhaps to be tapped for later use.  In this one, he interviews two witnesses about a “tall creature” they saw in Elizabeth, N.J., on October 10, 1966.  John was accompanied on this investigation by Chuck McCann, the host of a kids’ TV show in NYC.  John wrote for the show; here’s a sample (although, of course, I don’t know if he worked on this particular episode).  Apparently, John’s interest in forteana was contagious.

The fourth issue of John’s newsletter offers some pessimism about the mail-order business — and some typically dismissive remarks about crystals.

In the eighth newsletter, Jack Scaparro debunks the myth that Napoleon’s soldiers shot off the Sphinx’s nose; and John announces the upcoming lecture by Dennis Stillings.  Jack, for those of you who don’t know him, is an ardent Egyyptologist, wrote several successful horror novels, and joined me in helping John when he needed it.

In 1984 and 1985, John put out a newsletter devoted to publishing and advertising.  It was called “Madison Avenue Confidential,” and lasted for ten issues.  His files don’t contain the first two; maybe he jumped right in with #3 for some reason.  At any rate, here’s #3.

The seventh newsletter contains Mike Lindner’s account of Henry Belk’s lecture, a report on the Christmas party, and notices of upcoming events.

The NYFS Christmas party was held shortly after the seventh meeting, on December 17, 1988, at the Ukrainian East Village Restaurant in NYC.  John had only a few remarks to make, but did offer a memorable toast to Charles Fort.

The seventh meeting of the NYFS took place on November 19, 1988.  John had a few announcements about upcoming events, and introduced Henry Belk.  The talk on mystery helicopters, by the way, was by Dennis Stillings; Whitley Strieber replaced Robert Anton Wilson for the May 20 meeting.  As a bonus, here’s a picture of Keel and Belk, taken in Charlotte, N.C., in 1989.

John Keel died three years ago, on July 3, 2009.  Here’s to your memory, John.