Let's Talk Ten

EP. #56 – PUNK LIFE: A Conversation with the Legendary LEGS MCNEIL

DAN FISHER

Legs McNeil was not only an integral part of the 1970’s downtown New York City “punk” scene – he gave it a name. As one of the founders of Punk magazine, Legs was a fixture at CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, he hung out with Iggy Pop and Lou Reed, and was in the audience for The Ramones, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, Blondie – plus many other bands who never found that level of fame, but were great while they lasted.

With Gillian McCain, Legs wrote PLEASE KILL ME: THE UNCENSORED ORAL HISTORY OF PUNK – the definitive first-hand account of a scene and a cultural movement that continues to inspire (and sell records) to this day. He’s also worked as an editor for Spin magazine and was the author or co-author of “The Other Hollywood: The Uncensored Oral History of the Porn Film Industry”, “Dear Nobody: The True Diary of Mary Rose”, and others.

He’s now the director and co-producer of “Pusherman: Frank Lucas and the True Story of American Gangster”, a documentary which corrects much of the fictionalized narrative of the Denzel Washington-starring 2007 film.

In his conversation with Dan, Legs shared stories about his friendships with Andy Warhol, Debbie Harry, and William S. Burroughs; the Sex Pistols’ final show; a private Rolling Stones concert held inside a volcano – plus, how he got that unusual first name.

 (This episode contains frank language and mature subject matter which might not be appropriate for all listeners.  Discretion is advised.)

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