VIDEO: CROSSING THE JACK RUBY CON - Author Danny Fingeroth on Dylan, JFK, Comic Books, and Oswald's Assassin

Hello and welcome to the Boston Harold Video Podcast. 

My special guest today is Danny Fingeroth, who, in addition to being a fellow admirer of Bob Dylan, is a published author. His most recent book. JACK RUBY - THE MANY FACES OF OSWALD’S ASSASSIN, was published by The Chicago Review Press this past November, 21.


INTERVIEW WITH DANNY FINGEROTH, DECEMBER 12, 2023

Danny Fingeroth is a biographer and cultural historian/commentator, specializing in the intersection of Jewish and American cultures. He’s the author of Superman on the Couch and Disguised as Clark Kent. His acclaimed 2019 biography of Stan Lee, A Marvelous Life, is a laser-sharp look at this controversial figure—the innovative force behind the beginnings of Marvel Comics. Fingeroth has spoken at venues including the Smithsonian Institution and Columbia University, as well as on NBC’s Today Show and NPR’s All Things Considered. He has written commentaries for publications including the Los Angeles Times and the Wall Street Journal. Fingeroth was born, raised, and lives in New York City. (From the book, Jack Ruby - The Many Faces of Oswald’s Assassin.)

Jack Ruby: The Many Face's of Oswald's Assassin

(The Chicago Free Press)

In our wide-ranging, entertaining, and informative discussion, we discuss, among other things: Bob Dylan, “Murder Most Foul,” the Hawks (later the Band) playing Ruby’s club, The Philosophy of Modern Song, the Emergency Civil Liberties Committee's Tom Paine Award speech, Oliver Stone’s JFK movie, Ruby and Hank Williams, and some detailed, and surprising, information about a man born Jacob Leon Rubenstein, and how it’s all connected. 

Also discussed was this year’s Dylan “Switchyard” symposium in Tulsa, OK, where we both participated on a panel on Dylan and JFK, and Mr Fingeroth somehow sharing a Dylan and Comedy panel with Daniel Radosh (The Daily Show) and Harry Hew (Harry Hew), and how a couple of well-known comedians of the 60s and 70s are also part of the story, as is Ruby's rabbi. Of course, we delve into our own memories of the events and aftermath of November 22, 1963, as well.    


(From The Philosophy of Modern Song by Bob Dylan, Simon & Schuster, 2022)

For further Dylan/JFK/MMF connections, please listen to Danny being interviewed by Rob Kelly on his Pod Dylan podcast.   

Buy JACK RUBY - THE MANY FACES OF OSWALD’S ASSASSIN on Amazon:

US:   UK:   DE: 

© Harold Lepidus, 2023. Excerpts are allowed to be shared on social media, but please do not copy and paste the entire article. Thanks in advance.  



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