Transformer

Simon Doonan is the author of many books, including Drag: The Complete Story; Keith Haring; How to Be Yourself: Life-Changing Advice from a Reckless Contrarian, and the memoir Beautiful People, which was adapted for television by the BBC. Simon appears as a judge on the hit NBC television show Making It. He lives in Palm Beach, Florida.

“Doonan turns a sharp, funny eye on an icon of early LGBTQ+ musical expression: an album by the acerbic Lou Reed…A perceptive, pleasingly, idiosyncratic work of music appreciation and cultural history.” — Kirkus Reviews“Doonan’s blend of personal reflection and cultural history offers a unique, entertaining, and fascinating portrait of a rock masterpiece that will be appreciated by music fans as well as those interested in LGBTQ+ social history.” — Library Journal“The perceptive and consummately witty Simon Doonan toasts Lou Reed's Transformer on the occasion of the classic album's 50th anniversary.” — Shelf Awareness"Doonan proves.. you can make a joyful, glitter-strewn book out of airing every one of your opinions and feelings – good, bad or just plain wild." - Jim Farber — The Guardian“Doonan's droll, concise yet action-packed hosanna to the personal and salutary joys of Lou Reed's glam rock classic Transformer. Both Simon and I were, in effect, created by everything Transformer stood and stands for.” — John Cameron Mitchell, creator of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shortbus and How to Talk to Girls at Parties.“Simon Doonan makes this tale of glam-rock cultural revolution soar like a love song. Transformer is more than just the story of Lou Reed—it’s the story of how pop music's rebels and outsiders can change the world, by envisioning a more seductive future. Doonan turns it into a dazzlingly brilliant, deeply personal, totally revelatory epic—a Seventies story that somehow seems perfect for our moment right now.” — Rob Sheffield, bestselling author of Love Is A Mixtape, One Song At A Time and Talking to Girls About Duran Duran"Doonan’s book is a serious yet campy homage to the very first explicitly, purposely queer-oriented music album. In addition to being a funny, fact-filled history, the book sent me back to listen more intently to the album and led me to the conclusion that Transformer is indeed a glamdrogynous (Doonan’s coinage) masterpiece." — The Gay & Lesbian Review"Simon Doonan’s hilarious cultural commentary meets Lou Reed’s poetic rock gravitas. Warhol, Bowie, electroshock, conflict, surprises, sequins— this book is truly a walk on the wild side, with my very favorite humorist as our guide!" — Ariel Levy, Bestselling author of The Rules Do Not Apply and Female Chauvinist Pigs“Part love letter to an LGBTQ masterpiece, part hilarious memoir, Simon Doonan’s Transformer is a treat, as glamorous, decadent and camp as Lou Reed’s iconic album. The book is at turns funny and affecting, sly and subversive and, as you would expect, splendidly swishy. Superbly entertaining, Simon’s book deftly captures the epoch when glam rock burst into our lives, and, like Transformer itself, acts as a time capsule of that exciting, hedonistic era.” — Darryl W. Bullock, author of The Velvet Mafia and Pride Pop and Politics“With real humor and insight Simon Doonan beautifully weaves together hilarious and moving snapshots of his youth with the larger context of Lou Reed's most successful album. Here's a fresh, exhilarating view of a key moment in the history of pop music and cultural politics. It's the perfect book to read on a perfect day.” — Sam Lipsyte, author of No One Left to Come Looking for You and The Ask“Thank you, Simon, for this guidebook to my misspent youth. I wasted years in wild conjecture about my idols. Conjecture no more! You've dished up the facts -and some of the more irresistible fictions - about Lou and David and the glitter critters of a fabulous long ago.” — Tim Blanks, Editor At Large, Business of Fashion