{"product_id":"book-g1vp","title":"Transformer","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn this funny and poignant memoir and cultural history, the television personality, columnist, and author of \u003cem\u003eDrag \u003c\/em\u003epays homage to Lou Reed’s groundbreaking album \u003cem\u003eTransformer\u003c\/em\u003e on its fiftieth anniversary and recalls its influence on his coming of age and coming out through glam rock.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn November 1972, Lou Reed released his album, \u003cem\u003eTransformer \u003c\/em\u003ebecause he thought it was “dreary for gay people to have to listen to straight people’s love songs.” That groundbreaking idea echoed with the times. That same year, Sweden was the first country to legalize gender-affirming surgery, and San Francisco struck down employment discrimination based on sexual orientation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSometimes an artistic creation perfectly aligns with a broader social and political history, and \u003cem\u003eTransformer\u003c\/em\u003e—with the songs “Walk on the Wild Side,” “Perfect Day,” and “Vicious”—perfectly captured its time. “Walk on the Wild Side” was banned on radio across the country but became a massive hit when young people threatened to boycott stations that would not play it. The album's cover featured a high-contrast image of Lou, flaunting a new mascara'd glamrock incarnation, shot by legend Mick Rock, thereby underscoring his intention to create \"a gay album.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eTransformer,\u003c\/em\u003e Doonan tells the story of how Lou Reed came to make the album with the help of David Bowie, and places its creation within the course of Reed’s life. Doonan offers first-hand testimony of the album’s impact on the LGBTQ+ community, recalling how it transformed his own life as a 20-year-old working class kid from Reading, England, who had just discovered the joys of London Glam Rock and was sparked by the artistic freedom of Warhol’s The Factory. \u003cem\u003eTransformer\u003c\/em\u003e was a revelation—hearing Reed’s songs, Doonan understood how the world was changing for him and his friends.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA poignant, personal addition to modern music and LGBTQ+ history, \u003cem\u003eTransformer \u003c\/em\u003ecaptures a pivotal moment when those long silenced were finally given a voice. As transgender icon Candy Darling, highlighted in his lyrics, told Reed, “It’s so nice to hear ourselves.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSupplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book would make a great gift for any music lover, LGBTQ+ activist, or history buff looking to learn more about the cultural impact of Lou Reed's Transformer album on the world.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":49342500208944,"sku":"BDg1vp","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audio CD","offer_id":49342500274480,"sku":"ZEg1vp","price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audio MP3-CD","offer_id":49342500307248,"sku":"ZMg1vp","price":45.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/g1vp-Square-cover.jpg?v=1777093382","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-g1vp","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}