Alice Brock, best known as the muse behind Arlo Guthrie’s iconic anti-war song, “Alice’s Restaurant,” has died at the age of 83. Her passing occurred just one week before Thanksgiving, the holiday depicted prominently in the song's narrative, which continues to resonate with fans every November.
Brock’s death was confirmed by Viki Merrick, her caregiver, who reported she succumbed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at a hospice center located in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Alice Brock spent many years living on Cape Cod after her previous work as the owner of the Back Room, the restaurant highlighted by Arlo Guthrie’s famous tune.
“This coming Thanksgiving will be the first without her,” Guthrie shared on his Facebook page, recounting their last conversation two weeks before her death, where they joked and reminisced about the past. He noted her health had been declining, hinting at the relationship they maintained over the decades.
Brock, whose full name was Alice May Pelkey, was born on February 28, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York. Her upbringing was marked by influences from her parents: her father was a printmaker and her mother worked in real estate. Brock attended Sarah Lawrence College but left after her sophomore year, driven by her commitment to social and political causes.
After moving to Greenwich Village, she met Ray Brock, whom she married, and they eventually relocated to western Massachusetts, where Ray encouraged Alice to open the restaurant. The Back Room became known as much for its atmosphere as for the memorable meals she served.
The famous story referenced by Guthrie begins with the Thanksgiving of 1965. Brock hosted Guthrie and his friend Rick Robbins, who were there to enjoy her generous hospitality. The meal, featuring turkey and all the traditional sides, set the stage for the tale of laughter and absurdity to follow.
After discarding some trash from their meal, they were unfortunate enough to discover the local dump was closed for the holiday. Left with no choice, they disposed of it down the side of the hill. Their illegal actions led the police to arrest them for littering, transforming what started as a holiday gathering for festivities and friendship, instead leading to courtroom drama.
The aftermath of the arrest turned out to be serendipitous. Guthrie, who had been facing the draft during the Vietnam War, found himself charged with littering, which conveniently landed him with a criminal record. This record, as it turned out, later served as his exemption from the draft.
The folk singer recalled the events, and with Brock’s input, transformed the experience—including the courtroom antics—into the legendary song. “We were sitting around after dinner and wrote half the song,” Brock said of their collaboration. Guthrie later credited Brock for helping shape the storytelling at the heart of his tune.
When Guthrie’s song was released as “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree” as part of his 1967 debut album, it quickly captured the public's imagination. With its catchy refrain—“You can get anything you want at Alice’s Restaurant”—Guthrie's blend of humor and social commentary became emblematic of his era, giving voice to the counterculture sentiments surrounding the Vietnam War.
Interestingly, though Brock's restaurant was not named Alice's Restaurant, the popularity of the song brought her significant recognition. For many, “Alice’s Restaurant” became synonymous with the peace movement. Despite this fame, Brock expressed discomfort with sudden public attention. “I was very uncomfortable because public figures are not really treated with much respect,” she remarked during later interviews.
Following her burst of fame, Brock continued to work on her culinary ventures, even opening several restaurants over the years. Yet, she always seemed to find her way back to the arts, eventually transitioning to painting, something she pursued seriously after her restaurant days ended.
While she was making her mark as a painter and author, with several books including “The Alice’s Restaurant Cookbook” and her autobiography “My Life as a Restaurant,” Brock also found time to contribute to children's literature. She collaborated with Guthrie on “Mooses Come Walking,” which illustrated her artistic versatility and enduring friendship with the folk singer.
Alice Brock’s legacy as the woman who inspired one of the most famous protest songs of the 1960s lives on. The song itself, broadcasted on radios across America every Thanksgiving – becoming almost as ingrained in the holiday as turkey and cranberry sauce – continues to remind listeners of the overlapping values of hospitality and rebellion.
Notably, even as she distanced herself from the fame, she found solace and community among her friends and fellow artists on Cape Cod, whom she called her “chosen family.” Their support was evident when Brock faced struggles with health and finances, highlighted by substantial contributions from supporters through crowdfunding, raising over $170,000 to aid her care.
Despite experiencing the ups and downs of life, Brock’s humility stood out. She often away from the public eye, but when she did speak, she did so with candor about the challenges fame could bring.
Today and each Thanksgiving forward, Alice Brock will be remembered not only through the lyrics of her friend’s popular song but for her embodiment of the spirit of rebellion, community, and kindness she offered to all who passed through her life and her restaurant.
Her memory lives on, perhaps most vividly through the annual gatherings around tables where families and friends sing, laugh, and give thanks, making this coming holiday season all the more poignant.<\/p>
