In June 1969, Randy appeared on the cover of Planet, a bi-weeklyunderground newspaper from San Francisco. There was no corresponding article and his name was not mentioned anywhere in the magazine.
Planet’s editor, Robert Gold, was a former music critic for the Los Angeles Free Press. For a short time after moving to Los Angeles, Randy sold copies of the Los Angeles Free Press on Sunset Blvd. (A connection?) Each issue of Planet was devoted to a different topic: Planet Music, Planet People, etc. Rock photographer, Jim Marshall, is credited with a number of photos within the magazine. However, it is uncertain whether he took the cover photo.
This issue of Planet is a real period piece with groovy artwork, ads, poetry, and even a Pigpen (from the Grateful Dead) look-alike contest.
Surprisingly enough, Randy’s image reappeared two issues later on the cover of Vol. 5, published in July 1969. This issue was dedicated to world literature. As far as I can tell, only six issues of Planet were ever published–and Randy appeared on the cover of two of them, without ever being mentioned.
How unusual to be on the cover twice but not mentioned in a story. Great work finding all the information!
As far as I could tell, it was the same with every issue of the paper. The cover photo was not directly related to any story inside.
Oh my goodness. This is a Wow! Thank You so Much!
You’re welcome! It’s quite a photo.
Wow Jessica. Awesome work. If I ever have a mystery to solve, I’m coming to you first!!! Great read.
Thanks, Melody!
Interesting that Planet magazine’s address was 746 Brannan Street in San Francisco. That’s the same address as Rolling Stone magazine at the time. They must have been connected somehow.
Hi Rich, thanks for pointing that out! The only connection I can make is that Garrett Press owned the building at 746 Brannan and it had a printing press in the basement. There were a number of alt and underground publications that used their printing press, including Planet. Rolling Stone was given an office in the building with the agreement that they would use the owner’s printing press. It’s possible that was the agreement with Planet as well.