Harvey Pekar Talks about Coventry Road, Part 1

Graphic novelist Harvey Pekar is interviewed at the Heights Library on Lee Road in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, about his memories of Coventry Road, where he lived during the 70s and 80s. Coventry Road has a storied history that was known beyond Cleveland city limits. From its beginnings as a Jewish neighborhood, on through its heyday in the 60s, Coventry remains a vibrant part of Cleveland, as does Mr. Pekar himself.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• harvey
• pekar
• coventry
• cleveland
• ohio
• history
• heights
• interview
• record
• revolution
• bohemians
• american
• splendor

[thegreatbungholio21]

I was sad to hear today that Harvey Pekar passed away and this video series was the first thing I thought about. It makes me appreciate even more him (and you) taking the time to put this together. I'm sad that he is gone and will continue to read his comics with even more appreciation.

[hildegardevonbingen]

@thegreatbungholio21 Thanks for your message. Cleveland loses a favorite son...and someone who gave us so much. We're lucky that his body of work remains, that his unique perspective will be there for generations.

[hildegardevonbingen]

FYI, the latest Pekar novel just came out June 4th (American Splendor - Season 2, 2008 #3) and he mentions doing the Coventry interview at the library.

[iamstuckinthe80s]

I went to my local comicbook shop and they said that Vertigo isn't printing anymore issues of American Splendor, which really upset me. I enjoy his comics portraying the everydays mundaities of life.

[hildegardevonbingen]

I am surprised about that! I wonder if they could have sold out...the edition I mentioned above was a Vertigo publication.

[LukeWehner]

Sadly, today Coventry is a very commercial blemish, hardly the artistic breding ground it once was.

[thegovamint]

i live on and love coventry,much love and R.I.P harvey

[bballkid2345]

i live right down the road from coventry. love it there. im 17 and it's such a great place to open your mind to new music, art, film, and even some herbs... lol

[clutjen]

Bought my first tape cassette from Record Revolution in high school! It is unfortunate that the street has become more commercial, but there are still a bunch of local joints there, and if you go to any of the street festivals or hang out on a weekend night Coventry still has the same funky vibe it did when the Euclid Heights corner was only covered by grass in the eighties. It's great to hear Harvey's take on the area.

[thegreatbungholio21]

@hildegardevonbingen I agree. I only hope to leave as big of a contribution to the world as he did

[Bjouesbijou]

i hope someone does a nice video or comic about his passing, with comments from his close friends

[royphoenix19]

what are you people talking about coventry is as amazing as it ever was it is not at all uninteresting. in fact its probably the safest fun place in cleveland heights

[reywilliamr]

god i remember growing up in stow and escaping to coventry and euclid circle in the 60's for a fresh breath of culture.

anyone remember la cave