Lester Bangs, an American critic and journalist, revolutionized music criticism with his passionate and unconventional approach to writing. As one of the most influential figures in rock journalism, Bangs combined humor, raw honesty, and a deep love of music in his reviews. His fearless critiques and unapologetic voice inspired a generation of music lovers and critics to think independently and embrace authenticity. Bangs' commitment to truth and his refusal to conform to expectations remind us of the importance of speaking our minds and staying true to ourselves.

"As far as a truly radical conscience, you have to take it as part of a larger thing, that it was sort of historical inevitability that with the coming of a leaguer society people would start to use drugs a lot more then they had before."



"The great thing about The Clash of course is that they keep searching for answers beyond that."



"No, I see it as meaning very little at the moment because none of the groups are about anything."



"Corporations are social organizations, the theater in which men and women realize or fail to realize purposeful and productive lives."



"The thing is that, they all had real strong personalities and real distinct identities, and I don't find most of the groups that are coming out now really do."



"It's much easier to wear a Chairman Mao button and shake your fists in the air and all that, then to actually read the Communist manifesto and things like that and actually become involved in politics."



"Here we are in the 70's when everything really is horrible and it really stinks. The mass media, everything on television everything everywhere is just rotten. You know it's just really boring and really evil, ugly and worse."

