Weaving firsthand interviews with personal insights, plus notes on recommended recordings, this book salutes the musical anarchists who have ignited generations of players and fans. Whether it's Ike Turner, who cut the first rock & roll record, or Talking Heads, who were first to fuse new wave with a global groove, Rip It Up! gets to the heart and soul of rock & roll attitude. Artist covered include: Camper Van Beethoven • Teenage Fanclub • Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Julie and Buddy Miller • The Louvin Brothers • Shonen Knife • The Kinks • Sparks • Peter Case • Elvis Costello • Julian Cope • Tom Verlaine • Ann Magnuson • and many others.