Lester Bangs

Although this book is not really about Lester Bangs, Bangs places himself at the center of almost every essay, so he is the most important person in the book. Bangs' most important quality is his passion for music. For Bangs, music, especially rock and roll, has the potential to create true feelings of love, belonging, and community. However, Bangs believes that this potential is very rarely realized, so he is constantly cynical about any person or group who blithely promotes such a sentiment. The music Bangs likes best is that which is powerfully emotional regardless of its technical skill. Consequently, Bangs has a tremendous appreciation for the music of Lou Reed both with the Velvet Underground and in his solo career. In Bangs' early years, Reed serves as his hero, but Bangs later renounces Reed and the whole idea of heroes. Bangs is also not just a...