William S. Burroughs and the Cult of Rock 'n' Roll

William S. Burroughs' influence on music's counterculture has been less well documented, but his novel Naked Lunch and cut-up techniques revolutionized lyrics. Casey Rae explores Burroughs' parallel rise to fame among daring musicians of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, revealing his backstage impact on America's cultural revolution and music.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 10 September 2020
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

William S. Burroughs, a legendary author known for his fiction and essays, has left a profound impact on the counterculture of music that has been largely overlooked until now. In his book, "William S. Burroughs and the Cult of Rock 'n' Roll," author Casey Rae delves into the intricate connections between Burroughs and a diverse range of musicians, shedding light on the transformative effects he had on the history of music.

Burroughs, a heroin addict and a gay man, emerged from the unconventional literary world to gain fame. His masterpiece, "Naked Lunch," was controversial due to its explicit content but was praised for its innovative nonlinear structure. Rae explores how Burroughs' parallel rise to fame among daring musicians of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s became a rite of passage. These musicians, including the Beatles and Radiohead, were drawn to his cut-up techniques, which they used to create revolutionary lyrics.

Through captivating stories of Burroughs' backstage influence, Rae reveals how he influenced the lives and careers of artists such as David Bowie, Lou Reed, and Patti Smith. Burroughs not only explored the occult with Bowie but also provided gritty depictions of street life to Reed, and counseled Smith on coping with fame. These anecdotes offer a fresh perspective on America's cultural revolution and its profound impact on the music of the time.

"William S. Burroughs and the Cult of Rock 'n' Roll" is a must-read for music enthusiasts, literary scholars, and anyone interested in the intersection of art, culture, and history. It sheds light on the lesser-known side of Burroughs' legacy and provides a deeper understanding of the profound influence he had on the world of music.

Weight: 324g
Dimension: 136 x 214 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474616669