"His magnum opus, a rollicking tour through rock and roll history. . . . Touching on a dizzying array of famous and obscure musicians, bars, and clubs-and injecting the narrative with his own vivid memories of playing in such legendary places as Manhattan's CBGB-Kaye brilliantly captures the ecstasy of what it was like to be there. . . . This memorable history is electrifying." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"An idiosyncratic, impassioned paean to rock 'n' roll. . . . [Kaye has a] depth of historical knowledge that enables him to enumerate the sightings of the very phrase rock 'n' roll. . . . The author engagingly chronicles his wide travels, visiting New Orleans, London, Memphis, and many other places in search of lost and
otherwise magical chords. . . . If you're a fan of rock music of whatever flavor, you need this book." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"I first knew him as a writer. Then guitarist, lifelong friend, and collaborator. We have performed side-by-side on the global stage through half a century and shared his love of the evolution of our mutual vocation. In Lightning Striking, Lenny Kaye has illuminated ten facets of the jewel called rock and roll from a uniquely personal and knowledgeable perspective. He draws from a lifetime of inspiration and experience. A youth plugging in his first electric guitar, a fan taking the dance floor, a propelling player, a humble guardian of history, and the writer I have always known him to be." - Patti Smith
"Lightning Striking is a true testimonial and epic love letter to the soul saving power of rock and roll. Lenny Kaye writes with a guitar player's rhythm and the image-strewn fevered prose of a beat poet, sharing arcane knowledge of the joy of a true believer. Read it and be inspired, as I was." - Bobby Gillespie
"Guitarist Lenny Kaye writes about various you-had-to-be-there music scenes that each had a transformative impact on rock and roll. . . . Kaye's personal reminiscences about performing with Patti Smith are among the highlights. Part history, part memoir, Lightning Striking is a fat, fun homage to the glory days of rock and roll and is full of vivid and revealing memories and anecdotes." - Booklist
