Occupation: Poet; Writer; Editor-in-Chief; Radio Host; Literary Critic
Born: Neptune, NJ, August 9, 1940
Education:
MA in English Literature, University of California Berkeley (1965)
BA in English Literature, Cornell University (1963)
Career:
Executive Producer-in-Charge, Poetry Program, Station KPFA-FM, Berkeley, CA (1988-Present)
Literary Critic (1985-Present)
Editor-in-Chief, Poetry USA, Oakland, CA (1990-1995)
Career Related:
Resident Artist, The Djerassi Program (1994); Woodrow Wilson Fellow, University of California Berkeley (1963-1965)
Creative Works:
Author, “The Dancer & the Dance: A Book of Distinctions” (2008-Present); Columnist, The Alsop Review (1998-Present); Co-Editor, Poetry Flash (1992-Present); Co-Performer, Poetry (1985-Present); Author, “Jack Foley’s Unmanageable Masterpiece: California Literary Time Line 1940-2005” (2019); Author, “Grief Songs” (2016); Author, “The Tiger and Other Tales” (2016); Author, “RIVERRUN” (2016); Author, “A California Beat Literary Timeline – The 1950s” (2014); Author, “LIFE” (2014); Author, “EYES: Selected Poems” (2013); Co-Author, “Sketches Poetical” (2012); Author, “Visions & Affiliations: A California Literary Timeline: Poets & Poetry 1940-2005,” Two Volumes (2011); Co-Author, “Ahadada Reader 3” (2010); Author, “Ash on an Old Man’s Sleeve” (2009); Author, “The Dancer and the Dance: A Book of Distinctions” (2008); Co-Author, “Fennel in The Rain” (2007); Editor, “ALL: A James Broughton Reader” (2006); Author, “Greatest Hits 1974-2003” (2004); Author, “BEAT ‘And They Began to Call That Beat’: The Transmutations of a Word” (2003); Editor, “Some Songs by Georges Brassens” (2001); Editor, Contributor, “The Fallen Western Star Wars” (2001); Author, “Foley’s Books: California Rebels, Beats and Radicals” (2000); Author, “O Powerful Western Star” (2000); Author, “Saint James” (1998); Editor, “Advice to the Lovelorn” (1998); Co-Editor, “New Poetry From California: Dead, Requiem” (1998); Author, “Bridget” (1997); Author, “Exiles” (1996); Author, “O Her Blackness Sparkles! The Life and Times of the Batman Art Gallery, San Francisco, 1960-1965” (1995); Author, “Inciting Big Joy” (1993); Author, “Adrift” (1993); Author, “Gershwin” (1991); Author, “Letters/Lights-Words for Adelle” (1987); Contributor, Bright Lights
Achievements:
30 years presenting poetry on Berkeley, California Radio Station, KPFA; Many books and CDs published; Many appearances on the internet, both performing (usually with his wife, Adelle) and in the form of writing
Awards:
Eponymous Honoree, Jack Foley Day, Berkeley, CA (2010); Recipient, Lifetime Achievement Award, Berkeley Poetry Festival (2010); Poetry Grantee, Oakland Arts Council (1992-1995); Recipient, Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award; Honoree, Marquis Who’s Who Top Professional; Recipient, Marquis Who’s Who Humanitarian Award
Memberships:
Program Director, PEN Oakland (1990-1997); Secretary, San Francisco Chapter, National Poetry Association (1989-1995); Member, Modern Language Association; Member, Poets and Writers
Political Affiliation:
Democrat
Religion:
Atheist
Family:
Son of John “Jack” Harold Aloysius Foley and Juana “Ju-an” (Terio) Foley
Widowed: Adelle Joan Foley (12/21/1961-6/27/2016) (Deceased)
Child: Sean Ezra
Hobbies:
Guitar; Tap dancing; Writing songs
Biography Sources:
Who’s Who in America – 2011, 65th Edition (pub. 2010)
Who’s Who in America – 2010, 64th Edition (pub. 2009)
Who’s Who in America – 2009, 63rd Edition (pub. 2008)
Who’s Who in America – 2008, 62nd Edition (pub. 2007)
Who’s Who in America – 2007, 61st Edition (pub. 2006)
Who’s Who in America – 2006, 60th Edition (pub. 2005)
Who’s Who in America – 2005, 59th Edition (pub. 2004)
Who’s Who in America – 2004, 58th Edition (pub. 2003)
Who’s Who in America – 2003, 57th Edition (pub. 2002)
Who’s Who in America – 2002, 56th Edition (pub. 2001)
Who’s Who in America – 2001, 55th Edition (pub. 2000)
Who’s Who in America – 2000, 54th Edition (pub. 1999)
Who’s Who in America – 1999, 53rd Edition (pub. 1998)
Who’s Who in America – 1998, 52nd Edition (pub. 1997)
Who’s Who in America – 1997, 51st Edition (pub. 1996)
Who’s Who in America – 1996, 50th Edition (pub. 1995)
Who’s Who in America – 1995, 49th Edition (pub. 1994)
Who’s Who in America – 1994, 48th Edition (pub. 1993)
Who’s Who in Entertainment – 1998-1999, 3rd Edition (pub. 1997)
Who’s Who in the West – 2010, 37th Edition (pub. 2009)
Who’s Who in the West – 2009, 36th Edition (pub. 2008)
Who’s Who in the West – 2008, 35th Edition (pub. 2007)
Who’s Who in the West – 2007, 34th Edition (pub. 2006)
Who’s Who in the West – 2006, 33rd Edition (pub. 2005)
Who’s Who in the West – 2005, 32nd Edition (pub. 2004)
Who’s Who in the West – 2004, 31st Edition (pub. 2003)
Who’s Who in the West – 2003, 30th Edition (pub. 2002)
Who’s Who in the West – 2002, 29th Edition (pub. 2001)
Who’s Who in the West – 2001, 28th Edition (pub. 2000)
