Lester Bangs

Leslie Conway Bangs (December 14, 1948 – April 30, 1982) was an American music journalist, author and musician. A very influential, if not founding, voice in rock music criticism, Bangs died in New York City, overdosing after treating a cold with Darvon and Valium.

History

Bangs was born in Escondido, California. His mother was a devout Jehovah's Witness; his father died when Bangs was young. In 1969, Bangs began writing freelance after reading an ad in Rolling Stone soliciting readers' reviews. His first piece was a negative review of the MC5 album Kick Out The Jams. He later worked for Creem, The Village Voice, Penthouse, Playboy, New Musical Express and many others.

Related Topics:
Escondido, California - Jehovah's Witness - 1969 - Freelance - Rolling Stone - MC5 - Creem - The Village Voice - Penthouse - Playboy - New Musical Express

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Bangs claimed his influences were not so much predecessors in journalism as they were beat authors, in particular William S. Burroughs. His ranting style, similar to Hunter S. Thompson's gonzo journalism, and his tendency to insult and confront his interviewees earned him distinction; it also got him fired from Rolling Stone by Jann Wenner in 1973 for being "disrespectful to musicians." Bangs had a fairly infamous love/hate (mostly hate) journalistic relationship with Lou Reed, producing several essays which depicted hilariously faked interviews with Reed.

Related Topics:
Journalism - Beat - William S. Burroughs - Hunter S. Thompson - Gonzo journalism - Rolling Stone - Jann Wenner - Lou Reed

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