Steven J. Bernstein papers, 1960-2011

Steven “Jesse” Bernstein (1950-1991) was born into a large Russian Jewish family in Los Angeles, California on December 4, 1950. When he was four years old, he contracted polio and spent six months in a Santa Monica pediatric hospital. Though he eventually recovered from the polio-induced paralysis, the emotional and physical scars from the experience had a lasting effect on his life and work.

In 1967 Bernstein moved to Seattle, Washington and started writing and performing as “Jesse Bernstein.” From the 1970s to 1991 he wrote songs, plays, poetry, reviews, and novels. Among his published works: Hermione, Choking on Sixth, Personal Effects, and The Wraith. The Wraith caught the attention of William Burroughs and launched a friendship between the writers. He also frequently performed his work on stage, collaborating with Seattle artists such as Pete Leinonen, Susy Schneider, Roberto Valenza and Kathleen Hunt. During his life he struggled with mental illness and drug and alcohol abuse, which contributed to his image as a tortured artist. He died at Neah Bay, Washington in 1991.

Though Bernstein was not widely known outside the Seattle underground arts scene, Kurt Cobain and Oliver Stone were said to be among his fans. Bernstein’s song “Me and Her Outside (No No Man)” was used in the Oliver Stone film Natural Born Killers.

Sources: Subpop Records https://www.subpop.com/artists/steven_jesse_bernstein

Davis, C. (1993, February 20) Godfather of Grunge. The Independent Magazine. 36-38.