Swami Salami: The Best of the Beloved Woodstock Times Cartoons

In this charming book, a compilation of cartoons from the Woodstock Times, Michael Esposito celebrates the wit and wisdom of his alter ego Swami Salami, a guru to Woodstockers for more than forty years,

Musician and cartoonist Michael Esposito is a living embodiment of Woodstock—and Woodstock Nation—where music played everywhere and hippies pursued Utopian dreams. It was a place and time more optimistic than today, more visionary . . . and a past that is kept alive in this book. Included are an introduction by Geddy Sveikauskas, former publisher of the Woodstock Times and current publisher of Hudson Valley One, and a biography of Michael by Will Nixon.

Michael Esposito played in the 1960s psychedelic rock band the Blues Magoos. The band’s (We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet peaked at number five on the Billboard Charts, and they toured nationally with Herman’s Hermits and The Who. After they broke up in 1968, Michael moved to Woodstock and became a monk for a decade under Father Francis. During the 1970s, he began submitting Swami Salami cartoons to the Woodstock Times—a gig that lasted forty years. He is also the owner and operator of the Old Spokes Home, a bicycle repair shop, and he continues to play bass for the Marc Black Band.

This softcover title has 368 pages, a trim size of 8½ by 5½ inches, and includes 341 cartoons. Bushwhack Books published it in 2024.

“That strange combination of Meher Baba and disgruntled rock musician, the Swami, has kept Woodstock smiling and being happy.” ~John Sebastian

11/12/24 article in the Albany Times Union: Woodstock’s Michael Esposito publishes Swami Salami cartoon book