Brenda Perlin

L.A. Punk Rocker opens with a beautiful Forward, written by Mark Barry. It is part dedication, part direct addressing of Billy Idol, written in the most direct, intimate manner you can imagine: “You are tight now. Tighter than a guitar string, taut almost ready to snap. You have rehearsed to the point you are sick of each other. By now, the internal dynamics of the band are akin to those inside a thermonuclear device — and you are ready to explode it on that LA stage, where the kids are screaming.”

The intimate feel of the book continues with Brenda Perlin’s writing. Not only does it give you access to exciting times in the LA Punk Rocker scene but also it illuminates her memories, reaching back to her past as an LA Punk Queen. “These were the best days of my life, but surely, I didn’t realize it at the time.” In addition to depicting this fascinating, electric era in literary form, the author gives you a visual peek by including many of the photographs she snapped at the time, which enhance the overall feel of inviting you to step with her into the moment.

The last chapter, again written by Mark Barry, is adapted from the Wikimedia Commons file, but oh, what a wonderful adaptation, written to ‘you’ (where ‘you’ stands for Billy Idol) with intense passion. It brings the book full circle to its Forward beginning, and frames not only Brenda Perlin’s memoir but also the entire career of Billy Idol. “You look in the mirror. The grey sideburns show through cheekily, the deep wrinkles on your face a map of a life spent on the road, much of it spent at the very top.”

Five stars.… (altro)