John Wilcock facts for kids

John Wilcock (born August 4, 1927 – died September 13, 2018) was a British journalist. He was famous for his work with the "underground press" and for writing many travel guidebooks.

He was the first news editor for the Village Voice newspaper in New York. Wilcock helped change how newspapers were made in the USA. His ideas spread to many places, including Australia and the United Kingdom. He quietly helped push the limits of what could be shown and said in media. Wilcock also worked for three years as a travel editor at The New York Times.

About John Wilcock

Early Career

John Wilcock started his journalism career in his home country, England. He worked for newspapers like the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror. Later, he also wrote for magazines in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Working in the Underground Press

In 1955, Wilcock helped start the Village Voice newspaper. He wrote a weekly column for the Village Voice from 1955 to 1965.

After that, he left to become an editor for New York's first "underground" newspaper, the East Village Other. The underground press was a type of newspaper that often shared different or alternative ideas.

While at the Village Voice, he also created The Traveler’s Directory. This was a service where people could offer free places to stay (homestays) to travelers. The Traveler’s Directory was published from 1960 to 1984.

Wilcock also helped coordinate about 200 newspapers for the Underground Press Syndicate. He was a guest editor for underground papers in London, Los Angeles, and Tokyo. He then returned to New York to publish his own underground newspaper called Other Scenes.

Writing Travel Guides

In 1960, Wilcock wrote his first travel book for Arthur Frommer. It was called Mexico On $5 a Day. He then wrote more guides for places like California, Greece, Japan, and India.

He also worked with Elizabeth Pepper on several books. They wrote The Witches Almanac, Magical & Mystical Sites (about Europe), an Occult Guide to South America, and A Guide to Occult Britain.

In 1979, the government of Venezuela asked him to research and write Traveling in Venezuela. In the 1980s and 1990s, he wrote or edited 25 books for Insight Guides, which are popular travel guidebooks.

Working with Andy Warhol

John Wilcock also worked with the famous artist Andy Warhol. In 1969, they both helped start Interview magazine. This magazine became well-known for its interviews with celebrities.

Later Life

In 2001, Wilcock moved to Ojai, California. There, he started publishing an international magazine called the Ojai Orange. He sent it for free to his friends in many different countries. He also continued writing his weekly column and hosted a weekly travel show on public-access television.

Personal Life and Death

John Wilcock married Amber La Mann in Tokyo, Japan, in December 1967. They later divorced in 1972.

Wilcock passed away in Ojai, California, on September 13, 2018. He was 91 years old.