Michael Gillotti Oral History
Object number2021.001.0013
Date03/04/2021
ClassificationsOral Histories
Oral history interview subject
Michael Gillotti
Oral history interviewer
Stephen Fagin
ObjectOral history
Credit LineOral History Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
MediumBorn digital (.m2ts file), Born digital (.m4a file), Born digital (.mp4 file)
DimensionsDuration: 42 Minutes
Terms
- Assassination
- Civil rights
- Oral histories
- Student
- Catholicism
- Peace
- Music
- Exhibitions
- Race relations
- Racism
- 1960s
- 1960 presidential election
- Cold War
- Music
- Vietnam
- Protests
- Arrest
- "JFK"
- Films
- "The Sixth Floor"
- Audio cassette
- Kennedy, Robert F.
- Dylan, Bob
- The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
- Texas School Book Depository
- Warren Commission
- Des Moines
- San Francisco
- Dallas
- Authors, Filmmakers, and Researchers (OHC)
- Civil Rights and Social Activism (OHC)
- Childhood Recollections (OHC)
- Dallas and 1960s History and Culture (OHC)
- History of 411 Elm Street and The Sixth Floor Museum (OHC)
- Popular Culture (OHC)
- Vietnam (OHC)
Collections
- All Online Objects
- Oral History Collection
DescriptionVideotaped oral history interview with Michael Gillotti. Gillotti was attending Catholic school in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1963 and later moved to San Francisco, where he became active in civil rights and the peace movement. As a musician, he wrote and recorded the song, "Who Killed John Kennedy?" (1992). Gillotti visited The Sixth Floor exhibit on its opening day in 1989.
Interview conducted via Zoom on March 4, 2021 by Stephen Fagin. The interview is forty-two minutes long.
Curatorial CommentaryMichael Gillotti's song "Who Killed John Kennedy" was the first track on a six-song album (also entitled "Who Killed John Kennedy") that was released on CD and cassette by Metanoia Music in 1992. Although that song is not available online, some of his more recent music - from albums released in 2011 and 2014 - may be heard on his YouTube channel (Michael Gillotti - Topic - YouTube) and on Spotify (Michael Gillotti | Spotify). As of 2026, Gillotti is part of a group called Michael Gillotti & The Peacemakers, which released two songs in 2024. More information about Michael Gillotti may be found on his official website: Michael Gillotti & THE PEACEMAKERS. - Stephen Fagin, Curator
As discussed in this interview, Michael Gillotti visited The Sixth Floor exhibit on its opening day, February 20, 1989. An original admission ticket (with a price of $0.00 since admission was complimentary on opening day) is part of the Museum's Jim Walker Collection (2006.020). It may be accessed here: Admission ticket to The Sixth Floor on opening day – Works – The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. - Stephen Fagin, Curator
