Did Kerouac matter to you?

This sub is so much about movies and music (don't get me wrong, I love both), but has a dearth of literary postings. Curious who else in this generation had a Kerouac epiphany. Also Vonnegut and Pirsig. Kerouac came to me in my late 20's, Pirsig in late 30's (right when I needed it), and Vonnegut at about 40. For other literary "late bloomers" who were more interested in Rolling Stone in your youth, what was your journey and do you have any books/authors you'd think I like? FWIW not a fan of David Foster Wallace.