Vince the Prophet - A work in progress

This is a work in progress about a man known in West Philadelphia as Vince the Prophet.
Vince described himslf as the Poet, Prophet, Phoenix of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
As a child in the 1960's we would see him standing on the corner of 65th and Callowhill in West Philadelphia, wearing only gym shorts and a sleeveless tee shirt 12 months of the year.
This did not endear him to us. It was not until I was in my early 30's that I recognized that possibly Vince was much more than just a crazy guy on the street corner.
This video is the beginning of a tribute to him put together by me, Martin Amadio and my friend Bobby Proetto.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• poetry
• poet
• religion
• prophet
• spirituality
• Philly
• Philadelphia
• politics
• ecology

[penbandit72]

My memories of Vince The Prophet, was when we would hang around aetna bank next to an old restaurant called emilios, across from rockys and just listen to his stories about spaceships. I always wondered if he ever got cold. But I have to agree. Overbrook was the place to grow up. I enjoyed reading these stories. I probably know more than half of the people that commented on here. RIP VTP

[phillyguy672]

Long live Overbrook ! The greatest place to grow up! I cant believe my eyes, Vince the prophet took me on many space ship rides! Is there anyone who DIDNT work at the Overbrook club ? Donatos carnivals, the turkey bowls,lils candy shop, granahan softball leagues,34th ward , suicide hill,roller hockey in aentna bank lot, oh ,oh Mr Lehey ! indian rock , Cherry hill club , Ermilios, Rocky steaks , Tennis courts keg parties!!! AWSOME MEMORIES !!

[tulllguy]

miss Overbrook, it's a dive right now though.

[Percolator101]

Vince got around. I would see him all over Philadelphia.

In the 1960s I would often run into him around 40th and Baltimore Avenue. He would be on his way to Woodlawn Cemetery to attend various funerals. He would tell us that he loved to watch the glowing souls launch off into the heavens during the burials. His poems were uplifting and now 45 years later after I have told friends here in Seattle of this unusual man I am happy to find this memorial website. He would like that.

[ohn0shedidnt]

my dad showed me this my dads name is david d

[IGBOKCORRAL]

You could pretty much count on seeing & listening to Vince every summer evening.

Some people said that he lived in the park. Kinda disapointing when I found out that he lived up on Simpson St. in a regular house.

I think I still have a printout of some of his poems. If I can find them, I'll post them. "A&J's Corner"  64th & Girard

[holden190]

Vince once told me that he traveled to the moon in a rocketship made of flowers.

[BATomassetti]

Thank you for posting this, PLEASE post more... I really miss Vince, but I was only 11 when he died :( I am very interested in learning more about Vince... if you know more about Vince, let me know!! Thanks!!

Hi everyone!!! :D

[packykelly]

wow! this dude always enters my head. i moved away from overbrook when i was 8 years old, in 1986. I still can't believe my parents let me go up in Vince's spaceship.

[foppa123]

kind words