The Velvet Underground is arguably one of the most influential American rock bands ever. Based on interviews with former members Lou Reed, John Cale, and Sterling Morrison, as well as others from Andy Warhol's circle of artistic collaborators, Up-Tight is the definitive oral and visual history of the band and its revolutionary, often avant-garde music. Bockris and Malanga's intelligent and entertaining approach-which does not shy away from the drugs, sleaze, and controversy that enveloped the band seemingly from its inception-provides compulsive reading.

They burned bras, draft cards, and even the American flag. But what drove a group of young Americans to democratic revolution in the tumultuous years of the 1960s, and what made them think they could win? In this book, Edward K. Spann looks at the motivations and values of the young rebels of the 1960s. He links their fight for equality for African Americans, women, and other marginalized groups to the democratic values of their World War II-era parents. Spann provides a cultural portrait of who the rebels were, what they thought, what they did, and what became of them after they crossed that magical divide of age thirty. Democracy's Children will fascinate readers with its colorful depictions of the individuals, events, and drama of the 1960s.

From the editor-in-chief of Easyriders magazine, One Percenter presents an unprecedented social analysis of American outlaw biker culture. A longtime biker and self-proclaimed nonconformist, Dave Nichols is not a subtle man. “Bikers are the last wolves in a land of sheep,” he affirms—but the motivations of today’s biking culture stretch far back into the annals of human history. One Percenter: The Legend of the Outlaw Biker illuminates the origins of rebel mentality, which began far outside of cycling: with groups from the Mongols and Huns to the Vikings, from pirates to the gunslingers of the Old West. In his signature no-nonsense style, Nichols traces his own defiant mindset from ancient times all the way into the modern era, where this one-percenter perspective is best embodied by outlaw bikers. As biographical as it is insightful, One Percenter also touches on the iconic Harley-Davidson motorcycle, gives a brief history of Easyriders magazine, and unapologetically criticizes the U.S. media for what Nichols views as a biased, unfairly negative portrayal of motorcycle clubs. Complete with an exclusive collection of photographs taken by Kim Peterson, editor of In The Wind magazine, this book offers a fascinating and analytical discussion of the rebel ethos that has become a staple of American popular culture.

This provocative and indispensable book provides a natural and cultural history of our most mysterious and complex human function: our ability to shed tears. All humans, and only humans, weep. Tears are sometimes considered pleasurable, sometimes dangerous, mysterious, deceptive, or profound. Tears of happiness, tears of joy, the proud tears of a parent, tears of mourning, tears of laughter, tears of defeat --what do they have in common? Why is it that at times of victory, success, love, reunion, and celebration the outward signs of our emotions are identical to those of our most profound experiences of loss? Why We Cry looks at the many different ways people have understood weeping, from the earliest known representation of tears in the fourteenth century B.C. through the latest neurophysiological research. Despite our most common romantic assumptions, what this brilliant book tells us is that tears are never pure, they are never simple.

The conception, creation, recording, and significance of the Beatles’ “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” John Lennon wrote “Strawberry Fields Forever” in Almería, Spain, in fall 1966, and in November, in response to that song, Paul McCartney wrote “Penny Lane” at his home in London. A culmination of what was one of the most life-altering and chaotic years in the Beatles’ career, these two songs composed the 1967 double A-side 45 rpm record that has often been called the greatest single in the history of popular music and was, according to Beatles producer George Martin, “the best record we ever made.” In Let Me Take You Down: Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever, Jonathan Cott recounts the conception and creation of these songs; describes the tumultuous events and experiences that led the Beatles to call it quits as a touring band and redefine themselves solely as recording artists; and details the complex, seventy-hour recording process that produced seven minutes of indelible music. In writing about these songs, he also focuses on them as inspired artistic expressions of two unique ways of experiencing and being in the world, as Lennon takes us down to Strawberry Fields and McCartney takes us back to Penny Lane. In order to gain new vistas and multiple perspectives on these multifaceted songs, Cott also engages in conversation with five remarkable people: media artist Laurie Anderson; guitarist Bill Frisell; actor Richard Gere; Jungian analyst Margaret Klenck; and urban planner, writer, and musician Jonathan F. P. Rose. The result is a wide-ranging, illuminating exploration of the musical, literary, psychological, cultural, and spiritual aspects of two of the most acclaimed songs in rock and roll history.

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