From the Archives: Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters’ Journey

In 1964, author Ken Kesey and his entourage, known as the “Band of Merry Pranksters,” undertook a famous cross-country journey that became a hallmark of counter-cultural history. They traveled in a vibrantly decorated school bus that would later be celebrated as an icon of the era.

Nearly 30 years after that original expedition, Kesey—who was living as a farmer in Oregon at the time—participated in a reenactment ride aboard a replica of the legendary bus. Other members of the Merry Pranksters, spanning different generations, joined him for the trip.

This segment was originally broadcast on November 18, 1990, with CBS News correspondent Bill Geist accompanying the group to document the event.