Over the last few years both publishers and readers have asked me about a collection, a so-called Reader, something covering the whole wobbly arc since my first published piece in Rolling Stone in 1968 to whenever now might have turned out to be. I spent too much time going over everything I had, but even restricting myself to pieces that hadn't already been collected or cannibalized in my own books there was just too much. I needed an editor—not just someone with good what-to-leave-in-what-to-leave-out judgement, but someone to come to my basement office and go through everything, just as the late Ed Ward did when crates of Lester Bangs's writing collected by his friends and colleagues from all over arrived and I knew I could never make even a stab at the millions of words alone. Finally, what I found myself thinking about was some sort of omnibus combined with books comprising the entire runs of certain columns, as I've done with the migrating “Real Life Rock Top 10” columns—the “Undercover” book column I wrote for
I still like the idea of an omnibus - The Greil Marcus Reader - is a good one. (I think it would sell more than a few hundred copies. Sheesh.) I didn't know that interesting fact about Ed Ward organizing Lester's archives. Ed was a great guy. What about all the Artforum columns?...or have all those been collected by now? I saved all of the "Days Between Stations" columns as hard copies; they're still in my files in the basement. Appreciate your doing this, though. I hope someday you can also post all of the New West/California columns as they were published. The Top Ten at the end of each column was the progenitor of the Real Life Rock Top Ten, I think.
Dear Robert—I may be missing some columns with my own hard copies. Do you have one on the Rhino set ‘Where the Action Is: Los Angeles Nuggets’? I’ll send you the log of what I have and maybe there are blank spots you can help with. Like Ed. We spent a week in Berkeley going through teams of Lester’s poetry, late night half suicidal musings, my correspondence with him, drug buddy reminiscences. It was painful.
Hi Greil - Yes, I am pretty sure that I do have that particular column. I really do think I have the complete run of Interview columns. (My Greil Marcus Archives take up two long file drawers - mostly letters and clippings from publications.) Just send me what you need either directly or via Scott. If you no longer have my contact info, Scott has everything. I am really enjoying your new Substack writings. The directness and personal touch works with your style especially. Stay healthy and sane in 2023! All my very best, Robert
I still like the idea of an omnibus - The Greil Marcus Reader - is a good one. (I think it would sell more than a few hundred copies. Sheesh.) I didn't know that interesting fact about Ed Ward organizing Lester's archives. Ed was a great guy. What about all the Artforum columns?...or have all those been collected by now? I saved all of the "Days Between Stations" columns as hard copies; they're still in my files in the basement. Appreciate your doing this, though. I hope someday you can also post all of the New West/California columns as they were published. The Top Ten at the end of each column was the progenitor of the Real Life Rock Top Ten, I think.
Dear Robert—I may be missing some columns with my own hard copies. Do you have one on the Rhino set ‘Where the Action Is: Los Angeles Nuggets’? I’ll send you the log of what I have and maybe there are blank spots you can help with. Like Ed. We spent a week in Berkeley going through teams of Lester’s poetry, late night half suicidal musings, my correspondence with him, drug buddy reminiscences. It was painful.
Hi Greil - Yes, I am pretty sure that I do have that particular column. I really do think I have the complete run of Interview columns. (My Greil Marcus Archives take up two long file drawers - mostly letters and clippings from publications.) Just send me what you need either directly or via Scott. If you no longer have my contact info, Scott has everything. I am really enjoying your new Substack writings. The directness and personal touch works with your style especially. Stay healthy and sane in 2023! All my very best, Robert
Yup - I’m between appointments in between locations that I’m not sure I want to go to?🖖🏼it resonates with this little 🐦