Erik's Reviews > Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk

At times I can't help but think that Legs McNeil gives himself a little too much credit in terms of defining what came to be known as "punk" or "punk rock." However, one thing you could never take away from Legs is this amazing book. Out of all the same old rehashed books on the history of rock music, "Please Kill Me" is not only refreshing, but it may be the definitive source on the underground rock and roll culture from the '60s onward. It was wise for the stories to be told in an oral history format. Everything unfolds from interview segments straight from the mouths of the musicians themselves. From the days of the Velvet Underground and Warhol's factory, to Michigan revolutionaries like the MC5 and the Stooges, to the wild child figures like Johnny Thunders and Sid Vicious, all of their debauched rock and roll moments are well chronicled and they never shy away from the glory nor the glum. "Please Kill Me" is required reading for anyone with a remote interest in rock and roll.