Selects ten songs recorded between 1956 and 2008 that embody rock and roll as a thing in itself--in the story each song tells, inhabits, and creates in its legacy.

Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung contains the wild and brilliant writings of Lester Bangs-the most outrageous and popular rock critic of the 1970s-edited and with an introduction by the reigning dean of rock critics, Greil Marcus. "By turns insightful and hilarious, these collected essays by the late, legendary Banks constantly astound."

"Feeding Back: Conversations with Rock's Alternative Guitarists from Proto-Punk to Post-Rock offers a counter-history of rock music through the lens of interviews with musicians including Richard Thompson, J Mascis, James Williamson, Bob Mould, Tom Verlaine, Lydia Lunch, Lee Ranaldo, Johnny Marr, and John Frusciante. Individually, the book's in-depth discussions explore these subjects' ideas and innovations; taken together they document an alternative-guitar...

"Geek Rock: An Exploration of Music and Subculture examines the relationship between geek culture and popular music, tracing a history from the late 1960s to the present day. The term "geek rock" refers to forms of popular music that celebrate all things campy, kitschy, and quirky. In this collection of essays, contributors explore the evolution of this music genre, from writing songs about poodles, girls, monster movies, and outer space to just what...

The arrival of the Beatles was one of those unforgettable cultural touchstones. Through the voices of those who witnessed it or were swept up in it indirectly, The Beatles Are Here! explores the emotional impact—some might call it hysteria—of the Fab Four's February 1964 dramatic landing on our shores. Contributors, including Lisa See, Gay Talese, Renée Fleming, Roy Blount, Jr., and many others, describe in essays and interviews how

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While Farmer Joe is at the National Tractor Society Conference in Reno, his animals go on tour in a broken-down van, performing as the band called Punk Farm.

This book guides readers through every aspect of forming and playing in a rock band, from determining style and instrumentation to playing live and recording.

Keith's on guitar, Charlie's on drums, and Ronnie's on rhythm. But who's on drugs? Everybody. Welcome to the red-eyed world of rock and roll, where every riff comes with a spliff--a coked-up compendium of your favorite musicians and their favorite drugs. Loaded with sordid tales of debauchery, lists, and bleary-eyed photos, there's more stuff in here than in one of Snoop Dogg's favorite brownies, including: • The Top Ten Albums to Tweak to ...

"The bible of music's deceased idols-Jeff Buckley, Sid Vicious, Jimi Hendrix, Tupac, Elvis-this is the ultimate record of all those who arrived, rocked, and checked out over the last 40-odd years of fast cars, private jets, hard drugs, and reckless living. The truths behind thousands of fascinating stories-such as how Buddy Holly only decided to fly so he'd have time to finish his laundry-are coupled with perennial questions, including Which band...