Pioneers of Leisure

by Marcello Cabus, Parvati Markus (Editor), Nick Werle (Translator)

This book relives the 60's and 70's cultural revolution and the long strange trip that followed to those who, like the author, lived through those turbulent and exciting times. Meet Marcello as a ten-year-old shoeshine boy selling tins of weed in the barrios of Denver before he becomes a major dealer offloading a mothership full of Colombian—intertwined with stories of partying with Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Cheech and Chong, and loco friends who try to steal an alligator from the Tucson zoo.“Junior” was a DJ at the inception of freeform radio in Boulder, Colorado; owned a custom boutique that made clothes for Glen Campbell and Mick Jagger; tripped around Europe in a VW bus selling Sunshine LSD; and transported hashish and seeds from Kathmandu. Going straight in the ‘80s, he patented a food dehydrator designed to reduce world hunger, but the Organized Crime Strike Force in Colorado used their press connections to ruin him and his idea. Fortunes were made and lost as Marcello traversed the disheartening lows of cocaine addiction and court-ordered residential drug treatment to reach the tempered highs of redemption.“This is an intriguing read… Marcello tells of both adventures and tragedies that have occurred over a lifetime of exploits.” —Joseph Saint-Veltri - (noted Colorado defense attorney).

Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2021

Reviews

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Experience the wild and unforgettable journey of Marcello, a young boy who started polishing shoes and ended up building a drug empire in Denver. In the memoir Pioneers of Leisure, Marcello Cabus and Nicholas Werle take you on a trip down memory lane, back to the 1960s and the revolution of culture. With honesty and vividness, Marcello's life story unfolds. From his initial exposure to marijuana to becoming a well-known drug dealer, he achieved tremendous success in everything he reached for. However, his life was not without its downfalls and struggles. The authors delve into his battle with addiction and the toll it took on his life and the people he loved.

Pioneers of Leisure is not just a tale of drugs and addiction but of adventure and traveling. Marcello also shares his love for skiing, being a DJ in Boulder, and opening a boutique that made clothes for the music industry's big names. As you read on, you will be immersed in his experiences attending and hosting parties for legendary musicians like Rolling Stones, Cheech and Chong, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, and many more. Readers are taken on the thrilling and adrenaline-pumping journey as Marcello travels through Europe, selling LSD while living life to the fullest. We also get an inside look as Marcello learns the art of smuggling in Kashmir while risking his life. But amidst all of this, Marcello's desire to alleviate world hunger led him to create and patent a dehydrator, a well-intentioned project that took up over 10 years of his life. Unfortunately, despite his efforts, Marcello was slandered and wrongly accused, leading to a court-ordered rehab program, which was considered the toughest in the country.

Marcello's story is one of immense strength, love, and adventure, peppered with failures and tragedies. It's a breathtaking read that will leave you feeling inspired. Pioneers of Leisure is an endless adventure that explores the metamorphosis of hipsters to hippies, with Marcello's story being an integral part of that cultural shift. Whether you're a fan of memoirs or not, this book is a must-read that will take you on an unforgettable ride.

[Benchmark · Rating 3 out of 5]

if you were there then, read the book

One has to wonder how much clarity has come through the clouds.
Many memories of my time at that time in Boulder

[Nick Werle · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting vignetttes