Keel Saw Tomorrows

by Loren Coleman

John A. Keel knew that it wasn't about "predicting" as much as "looking for patterns." As we come out of this "recession," it is good to recall his insights.

At Fortfest 1992, John A. Keel discussed his research findings (mostly ufological & hints of the cryptozoological) keyed to "pivotal years," e.g. 1848, 1968, 1973, and 1975. In the last 60 seconds of this video, Keel was asked about the interrelationship of Forteana and economic collapses.

Anomalist Books Editor-in-Chief Patrick Huyghe remarked after hearing of his 2009 death, "John Keel was our Michael Jackson."

After Keel's 1975 book was adapted into the 2002 film, The Mothman Prophecies, "Mothman" became a household name. However, among a select few, it was John Keel that was the star, not the monster. One of our own had crossed over and had a big tent Hollywood movie made from one of his books.

In January 2002, when the film was first released, Fortean historian and author Jerome Clark said that he felt a sense of sincere pride for John Keel when he saw Keel's name flash on the movie theater screen. It was a good moment.

Among the press, the Point Pleasant Daily Register shared this: "As several celebrity deaths have swept the nation in recent weeks, perhaps the closest to the area is the death of John Keel."

John Keel, The Mothman Prophecies author, stood with Point Pleasant, West Virginia's Main Street Director Charles Humphreys prior to the official unveiling of the Mothman Statue at Gunn Park in 2002. Keel died on Friday, July 3, 2009.

Certainly a focus among the Fortean, cryptozoological, and ufological communities, it was good to see in the days following Keel's passing a new awareness of him in the mainstream media:

"Keel, writer of 'Mothman Prophecies,' dies at 79."

Newsday, New York.

"'Mothman Prophecies' Writer, Keel, Dies At 79."

WCBS-TV New York

"John Keel."

Associated Press.

"Keel, writer of 'Mothman Prophecies,' dies at 79."

WTEN - Albany, New York

Cryptomundo links included:

John A. Keel Has Died, July 6, 2009.

Keel Ends Life Rather Alone, July 7, 2009.

C2C: Keel Tribute, July 7, 2007.

Vallée & Keel, July 7, 2009.

Garuda: Harbinger of Doom, from an Indian postcard, being sold by a New York City vendor on a walk home from Keel's apartment. Credit: Doug Skinner.

At top, at his birthday party in 1994, John A. Keel is the Fortean/demonologist, the man in black, shown with Fortean/cryptozoologist Loren Coleman, in a photo by the Fortean/anomalist Patrick Huyghe.

On July 3rd, in 1969, Brian Jones, English musician and member of The Rolling Stones died. On July 3rd, in 1971, Jim Morrison, the Lizard King and American leader of The Doors died. On July 3rd, in 2009, another kind of rock star, the Mothman king, John A. Keel died.