The Girl in the Back

Nineteen seventy-seven. New York City. Dark. Dangerous. Thrilling. Punk Rock. Blondie. David Bowie. Drinking. Drugs. Happening at the speed of light.ÞSeventeen-year old Laura quaking within her skin while the bursting punk rock revolution explodes around her starts a band with her teenage friends called the Student Teachers. She''s the drummer. They play legendary clubs ä CBGB Max''s Kansas City Hurrah ä they rehearse madly write songs and tour the East Coast.ÞAll between final exams at school.ÞIn comes Jimmy Destri from Blondie. He thinks the Student Teachers are terrific! And then ä he falls in love with Laura. He pulls her into the glamorous life of Blondie and introduces her to David Bowie. Bowie takes an interest in Laura''s band attends their rehearsals and sets them up to open for Iggy Pop at the Palladium on Halloween 1979. It''s exhilarating! It''s the beginning of amazing success in rock ''n'' roll!ÞUntil it all comes to a stunning stop.ÞAfter playing a show at Town Hall in 1980 Laura is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Does it all fall apart?ÞLater at a dinner with Bowie he whispers something to Laura. And it helps her save her life.ÞIn prose that flows like music Laura Davis-Chanin presents a rich work of narrative nonfiction that is not only deeply personal but also revealing of the punk rock heyday in New York City. Infused with rare photographs this book is a journey through a unique ephemeral life experience.