Bringing Lester Bangs From The Page To The Stage
Erik Jensen and Jessica Blank talk about creating How to Be a Rock Critic: Based on the Writings of Lester Bangs.
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About
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, the year the Beatles arrived in America, Jim DeRogatis began voicing his opinions about rock ’n’ roll shortly thereafter. He is a full-time lecturer in the Professional Writing Program of the English Department at Columbia College Chicago and continues to write about popular music for WBEZ. Together with Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune, he co-hosts Sound Opinions —“the world’s only rock ’n’ roll talk show”—originating at WBEZ and distributed nationally on public radio via PRX.
Recent
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Rock Historian Barney Hoskyns Talks Woodstock in Chicago
Jim DeRogatis recommends a “don’t-miss event for fans of great rock writing.“
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50 Chicago Artists Who Changed Popular Music — Playlist
From Otis Rush to Chance the Rapper, here is a recap (and playlist) of Jim DeRogatis’ 50 artists who changed Chicago music.
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50 Chicago Artists Who Changed Popular Music — Hip-Hop
In his latest tutorial on Chicago’s music history, Jim DeRogatis explains why hip-hop is the city’s most active genre.
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50 Chicago Artists Who Changed Popular Music — Alternative Rock
In his latest tutorial on Chicago’s music history, Jim DeRogatis explains how alternative rock exploded in Chicago in the ’90s.
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Lester Bangs Comes Back To Life At Steppenwolf In July
‘How to Be a Rock Critic’ arrives at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre for a three-week run from July 6 to 22.
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50 Chicago Artists Who Changed Popular Music — Rock In The ’80s
In his latest tutorial on Chicago’s music history, Jim DeRogatis explains how rock came roaring back in the 1980s.
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A Bounty Of Musical Readings And Other Mischief From Quimby’s
Chicago’s venerable bastion of left-field literature has a couple of notable music-related events coming up.
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50 Chicago Artists Who Changed Popular Music — House Music
In his latest tutorial on Chicago’s music history, Jim DeRogatis explores how house music started at a near West Side juice bar.
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