William S. Burroughs and the Cult of Rock ‘n’ Roll

The world of pop culture features some staggeringly large shadows looming over it, and one of the most influential, in some unexpected ways, belongs to William S. Burroughs. Whether it’s his long-running relationship with drugs, his literary endeavors, his sexuality, or his dabblings in (or at least knowledge of) the occult, he cut a swathe across the cultural landscape like few ever have. And the world of music was one area he influenced in surprising, peculiar ways.

William S. Burroughs and the Cult of Rock ‘n’ Roll is a curious, disjointed journey through his life and the many iconic meetings he had with figures in rock and roll history. Encounters with everyone from Jimmy Page and Kurt Cobain to DEVO are chronicled here. Some are evocative, others baffling, and still others hilarious. (Like the time Burroughs confused The Police with actual law enforcement.)

As a historical text, this book works on two levels, as it introduces unfamiliar readers to Burroughs, his works, and his legacy while allowing more knowledgable readers to immerse themselves in Burroughs’ lesser-known encounters with musical icons. Delving into philosophy, metaphysics, and more along the way, this is a book about immortality: both the quest to achieve it and how you can find it in an unexpected fashion.

William S. Burroughs and the Cult of Rock ‘n’ Roll is the rollercoaster and the wait all in one, patiently escorting you to the high points and still letting you enjoy the ride.