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Alice’s Restaurant
Alice’s Restaurant was in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. The restaurant was actually named Back Room Rest. The restaurant was opened by Alice M. Brock. The restaurant was open for one year only because Alice and Ray, her husband, got a divorce. The restaurant had the appearance of an old church; I believe that it was very spacious and very old fashioned.
The Song
Arlo Guthrie wrote the song because Guthrie and his friend got hauled off to jail for illegally dumping some of Alice’s garbage at the city dump after discovering that the city dump was closed for the holiday’s. In my opinion the song was being sarcastic but it was also hyperbolic. When he says “You can get anything you want”, he means that when they got their garbage they thought that they could get anything they wanted.
Alice
Alice M. Brock was a woman who in 1964 used $2000 to buy a church and turn it into a house. Alice was married to Ray Brock. Alice was a painter and designer. Alice was the lady they took the garbage from. As of today, Alice M. Brock lives in Provinceton, Massachusetts and owns an art studio and gallery. She illustrated the 2004 children’s book, Mooses Come Walking, written by Arlo Guthrie.
Arlo Guthrie
Arlo Guthrie was born in Coney Island, Brooklyn, Massachusetts in 1947. Guthrie grew up surrounded by dancers and musicians. Guthrie gave his first public performance at the age of 13. Guthrie just finished a year-long tour in May of 2007. Guthrie still performs music today.