Who has heard of Smokestack el Ropo's bedside reader?

Answer 1

Smokestack El Ropo was the pen name of a Rolling Stone magazine staff writer of the late 1960's, early 1970's. The Bed Side Reader is compendium of Dope related short stories, recipes, and parables. I read the Bedside Reader as an adolescent; it had a profound effect on the rest of my teen years. It was put together by Charles “Smokestack El Ropo” Perry in 1971. Charles started working for Rolling Stone in 1968 as a proof reader. He then moved on to be a copy editor and by the end of his career with Rolling Stone in the mid 70s he was associate editor. After he left Rolling Stone he became food writer / critic for the Los Angeles Times. Before that though he wrote The Haight-Ashbury: A History. Covering the 60s psychedelic and rock scene in San Francisco. There are 6 chapters / parts in the book. And each part begins with a fable written by Smokestack El Ropo himself. A really enjoyable, funny read and at the end of the book there are some fun things to try, such as how to play the 12 button telephone, light box, ghost television and much more. Hunter S. Thompson’s (Raoul Duke) contribution is from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.