
In The Seventies
Adventures in the Counter-Culture
Barry Miles(Author)
Serpent's Tail (Publisher)
Published on 1. September 2011
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-1-84668-690-0 (ISBN)
Description
In The Seventies tells the story of London and New York during the decade that is often written off as one long hangover after the exuberance of the sixties. Miles remembers a fascinating period in which many of the hippie dreams became realities, and others came back in shiny new clothes at the advent of the punk revolution.
Beginning with Allen Ginsberg's hippie commune in upstate New York and moving on to his time cataloguing William Burroughs' archives in London, Miles remembers the decade that began with David Bowie in drag and ended with Grace Jones naked at Studio 54. Writing for NME, he reported on both the CBGBs scene and was the first to review and interview The Clash, The Ramones, Talking Heads and Patti Smith. Engaging and idealistic, In the Seventies is a memoir that challenges modern perceptions of the decade with great anecdotes featuring an extraordinary cast of characters, from Allen Ginsberg to Richard Hell, Leonard Cohen to Brian Eno.
Beginning with Allen Ginsberg's hippie commune in upstate New York and moving on to his time cataloguing William Burroughs' archives in London, Miles remembers the decade that began with David Bowie in drag and ended with Grace Jones naked at Studio 54. Writing for NME, he reported on both the CBGBs scene and was the first to review and interview The Clash, The Ramones, Talking Heads and Patti Smith. Engaging and idealistic, In the Seventies is a memoir that challenges modern perceptions of the decade with great anecdotes featuring an extraordinary cast of characters, from Allen Ginsberg to Richard Hell, Leonard Cohen to Brian Eno.
Reviews / Votes
A fresh perspective on the seventies -- Alex Heminsley * Elle * An excellent new book of reminiscences by the counter-culture-mover-and-shaker Barry Miles... a reliable commentator on the hippie lore of that period... candid behind-the-scenes revelation and madcap humour... highly entertaining. -- Andrew Perry * Daily Telegraph * Miles was pivotal in London counterculture from the 1960s onwards ... his extensive memories of Burroughs captivatingly recreate the author's temporary life as a gentleman of St James's in London ... captivating -- Ben Felsenburg * Metro * Essential reading -- Roz Kaveney * TLS * What a long, strange trip it must have been. -- Liz Thomson * Independent * There's rarely a dull moment here. -- Mark Paytress * Mojo * Miles had an inside track on the burgeoning US scene, chronicling the impact of New York poets and punks... An engaging memoir -- Mick Houghton * Record Collector *More details
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Profile Books Ltd
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 153 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
408 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84668-690-0 (9781846686900)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
09/2011
1st Edition
Serpent's Tail
from
€22.19
Available for download
Person
Barry Miles is an English writer, luminary of the sixties underground and businessman. In the 1960s, he was co-owner of the Indica Gallery and helped start the International Times. Miles has written biographies of McCartney, Lennon, William S. Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, Charles Bukowski and Allen Ginsberg, in addition to books on The Beatles, Pink Floyd and The Clash as well as a general history of London's counter-culture since 1945 London Calling.