Description
Harley Flanagan provides a fascinating memoir: a homeless child prodigy and family friend of Andy Warhol and Allen Ginsberg, at a young age he became close to many stars of the early punk rock scene like Joe Strummer of The Clash and was taught to play bass by members of the famed black punk band Bad Brains. He went on to start the notorious hardcore band Cro-Mags.
From the memoir's introduction by American Hardcore's Steven Blush: Harley Flanagan is not like you or me. Most of us grew up in relative safety and security. Harley came up like a feral animal, fending for himself in the '70s Lower East Side jungle of crime, drugs, abuse and poverty. By age 10 he was a downtown star at Max's Kansas City and CBGB, drumming in his aunt's punk band The Stimulators, and socializing with Blondie's Debbie Harry and Cleveland's Dead Boys. Everyone thought it was so cute, but it wasn't.
Currently an instructor for the famed Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Harley was never shy: making friends with important figures like Lemmy Kilmister of Mot rhead, defending himself in street battles, and, most recently, finding media play and court battles after former band members betrayed their one-time friend and bandmate.
Author: Harley Flanagan
Publisher: Feral House
Published: 09/27/2016
Pages: 448
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.65lbs
Size: 8.90h x 5.90w x 1.10d
ISBN13: 9781627310338
ISBN10: 1627310339
BISAC Categories:
- Biography & Autobiography | Music
- Music | Genres & Styles | Punk
- Sports & Recreation | Martial Arts | General
About the Author
Harley Flanagan: Harley Frances Flanagan (born 1968) is the founder and bassist of the hardcore punk band, The Cro-Mags.