The Girl in the Back: A Female Drummer's Life with Bowie, Blondie, and the '70s Rock Scene

by Laura Davis-Chanin

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Nineteen seventy-seven. New York City. Dark. Dangerous. Thrilling. Punk Rock. Blondie. David Bowie. Drinking. Drugs. Happening at the speed of light.THSeventeen-year old Laura quaking within her skin while the bursting punk rock revolution explodes around her starts a band with her teenage friends called the Student Teachers. She's the drummer. They play legendary clubs a CBGB Max's Kansas City Hurrah a they rehearse madly write songs and tour the East Coast.THAll between final exams at school.THIn comes Jimmy Destri from Blondie. He thinks the Student Teachers are terrific! And then a he falls in love with Laura. He pulls her into the glamorous life of Blondie and introduces her to David Bowie. Bowie takes an interest in Laura's band attends their rehearsals and sets them up to open for Iggy Pop at the Palladium on Halloween 1979. It's exhilarating! It's the beginning of amazing success in rock 'n' roll!THUntil it all comes to a stunning stop.THAfter playing a show at Town Hall in 1980 Laura is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Does it all fall apart?THLater at a dinner with Bowie he whispers something to Laura. And it helps her save her life.THIn prose that flows like music Laura Davis-Chanin presents a rich work of narrative nonfiction that is not only deeply personal but also revealing of the punk rock heyday in New York City. Infused with rare photographs this book is a journey through a unique ephemeral life experience.
  • ISBN10 1617136875
  • ISBN13 9781617136870
  • Publish Date 1 May 2018
  • Publish Status Active
  • Publish Country US
  • Publisher Hal Leonard Corporation
  • Imprint Backbeat Books
  • Format Paperback (US Trade)
  • Pages 274
  • Language English