William S. Burroughs
Musician · US · 1914–1997
Burroughs believed in a magical universe where nothing happens by accident, a theme that permeated his work and personal philosophy.
William S. Burroughs was an influential American novelist, essayist, and spoken word performer, known for his experimental style and themes of addiction.
Burroughs was born on February 5, 1914, and became a prominent figure in the Beat Generation.
Biography
Early Life
William Seward Burroughs II was born on February 5, 1914, in St. Louis, Missouri, into a prominent family with a rich heritage. His grandfather founded the Burroughs Adding Machine company, and his upbringing was marked by a lack of emotional expression, which he later reflected upon in his writings. From a young age, Burroughs developed a fascination with magic and the occult, experiences that would deeply influence his literary career. He attended the John Burroughs School, where he published his first essay on telepathy at just 15 years old.
Career
Burroughs emerged as a significant figure in the Beat Generation and a major postmodern author, known for his experimental writing style and the use of unreliable narrators. His literary career was catalyzed by personal tragedy, particularly the death of his friend Joan Vollmer, which he described as a pivotal moment that drove him to write. He is best known for his groundbreaking work "Naked Lunch," which, although published before he discovered the cut-up technique, exemplified his fragmented narrative style. Throughout his career, Burroughs explored themes of addiction, control, and the supernatural, often employing the cut-up technique alongside collaborator Brion Gysin to create a new form of literary expression.
Artistic Development and Views
Burroughs's work is characterized by a deep engagement with mystical and magical themes, reflecting his belief in a "magical universe" where nothing happens by accident. He practiced various forms of magic and sought to disrupt conventional language through his writing. His later works, including albums like "Dead City Radio" and "Spare Ass Annie and Other Tales," showcase his transition into spoken word performance, further blending his literary and musical influences. Burroughs's legacy as a writer and artist continued until his death on August 2, 1997, leaving an indelible mark on both literature and music.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
William S. Burroughs & Brion Gysin2021
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Acid Lands2020
- 1.The Acid Lands24:45
- 2.The Acid Lands (ambient mix‐translation)17:07
- 3.Naming the Seven Souls4:34
Curse Go Back2016
- 1.Part 111:56
- 2.Part 2 (Start)10:51
- 3.Part 2 (Conclusion)23:00
Let Me Hang You2016
- 1.The Exterminator1:01
- 2.Manhattan Serenade3:28
- 3.Baboon0:24
- 4.This You Gotta Hear1:26
- 5.Disciplinary Procedure8:11
- 6.The Afterbirth Tycoon1:24
- 7.Leif the Unlucky3:12
- 8.Let Me Hang You4:45
- 9.Islam Inc.7:34
- 10.The Queen Bee1:46
- 11.Clem Snide the Private Asshole3:12
- 12.Gentle Reader1:59
- 13.Quick2:31
William S. Burroughs in Dub2014
- 1.Burroughs Called the Law7:50
- 2.Dead Souls5:09
- 3.The President (The Western Lands)4:58
- 4.Uranian Willy, Part 23:55
- 5.Virus B-23 (Cities of the Red Night)3:40
- 6.103rd Street Boys7:12
- 7.I Was Fooling Around With These Tapes in Hotels3:52
- 8.Prisoner of the Earth (Uranian Willy mix)4:55
- 9.Excerpts (The Cat Inside)6:36
- 10.Prisoner of the Earth4:32
- 11.Last Words of Hassan Sabbah (Nothing Here Now but the Recordings)4:16
- 12.Uranian Willy3:21
- 13.The Saints Go Marching Through All the Popular Tunes (Nothing Here Now but the Recordings)6:24
- 14.I Was Fooling Around With These Tapes in Hotels, Part 21:14
- 15.Summer Will (Nothing Here Now but the Recordings)4:49
Häxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages2014
- 1.[untitled]2:01
- 2.[untitled]6:06
- 3.[untitled]6:53
- 4.[untitled]2:28
- 5.[untitled]2:27
- 6.[untitled]5:11
- 7.[untitled]9:16
- 8.[untitled]5:08
- 9.[untitled]6:09
- 10.[untitled]4:29
- 11.[untitled]7:46
- 12.[untitled]2:08
- 13.[untitled]7:12
- 14.[untitled]2:43
- 15.[untitled]4:59
- 16.[untitled]1:37
The Instrument of Control2008
- 1.[untitled]2:14
- 2.[untitled]2:55
- 3.[untitled]4:56
- 4.[untitled]4:13
- 5.[untitled]7:07
- 6.[untitled]2:20
- 7.[untitled]2:44
- 8.[untitled]4:57
- 9.[untitled]0:53
- 10.[untitled]2:58
- 11.[untitled]0:56
- 12.[untitled]3:56
- 13.[untitled]3:42
- 14.[untitled]3:01
- 15.[untitled]3:41
- 16.[untitled]2:18
- 17.[untitled]2:51
Real English Tea Made Here2007
- 1.It's an Experiment0:46
- 2.Cut-Ins With Dutch Schultz17:35
- 3.23 Skidoo6:17
- 4.Are You Tracking Me44:33
- 5.Old Farmer's Almanac39:51
- 6.Puertos De Los Santos33:12
- 7.The Piper Pulled Down the Sky16:09
- 8.Wonderful Copenhagen16:49
- 9.Towers Open Fire14:56
- 10.We Are the Night Family7:32
Last Words: Qui Vivre Verra2001
Tracklist not collected yet.
Junky2000
- 1.[untitled]4:30
- 2.[untitled]5:33
- 3.[untitled]5:17
- 4.[untitled]3:23
- 5.[untitled]5:31
- 6.[untitled]4:55
- 7.[untitled]6:45
- 8.[untitled]4:20
- 9.[untitled]4:41
- 10.[untitled]4:48
- 11.[untitled]3:18
- 12.[untitled]5:19
- 13.[untitled]7:07
- 14.[untitled]10:18
- 15.[untitled]5:05
- 16.[untitled]4:42
- 17.[untitled]2:50
- 18.[untitled]3:12
- 19.[untitled]5:11
- 20.[untitled]4:18
- 21.[untitled]5:27
- 22.[untitled]5:31
- 23.[untitled]7:09
- 24.[untitled]4:38
- 25.[untitled]6:15
- 26.[untitled]3:21
- 27.[untitled]4:04
- 28.[untitled]4:44
- 29.[untitled]4:55
- 30.[untitled]5:07
- 31.[untitled]5:04
- 32.[untitled]7:46
- 33.[untitled]4:19
- 34.[untitled]4:51
- 35.[untitled]6:41
- 36.[untitled]3:01
The Best of William Burroughs1998
- 1.Twilight's Last Gleamings2:52
- 2.Junkie: 103rd Street Boys7:34
- 3.Naked Lunch: Benway0:39
- 4.Naked Lunch: I Can Feel The Heat Closing In6:56
- 5.Naked Lunch: Meeting of International Conference of Technological Psychiatry4:59
- 6.Naked Lunch: In Mexico the Gimmick Is to Find a Local Junkie With a Government Script2:25
- 7.Naked Lunch: The Laboratory Has Been Locked For Three Hours Solid2:10
- 8.Naked Lunch: Dr. Benway Is Operating in an Auditorium Filled With Students2:01
- 9.Naked Lunch: Fats Terminal Had Organized a Purple Ass Stick for Motorcyclists2:06
- 10.Naked Lunch: Hassan Is a Notorious Liquifactionist5:36
- 11.The Soft Machine: Where you Belong3:14
- 12.Exterminator: What Washington? What Orders?8:16
- 13.Exterminator: From Here to Eternity3:48
- 14.Exterminator: The Evening News3:09
- 15.Nova Express: I Was Travelling With the Intolerable Kid on the Nova Lark8:36
- 16.Nova Express: The Unworthy Vessel2:48
- 17.Nova Express: the Do-Rights3:32
- 18.Ah Pook Is Here: Ah Pook Is The Mayan God Of Death12:31
- 19.Ah Pook Is Here: Introducing John Stanley Hart. He Entered The Bar With The Best Intentions2:15
- 20.When Did I Stop Wanting To Be President7:07
- 21.What The Nova Convention Is All About1:59
- 22.Keynote Commentary, Roosevelt After The Inauguration5:52
- 23.The Wild Boys: The Chief Smiles6:47
- 24.The Wild Boys: The Green Nun3:31
- 25.The Wild Boys: Tio Mate Smiles10:26
- 26.The Wild Boys: Tio Pepe4:29
- 27.The Wild Boys: As Esperanza Turns To Go Inside; Tia Maria, Tio Gordo6:49
- 28.The Wild Boys: A Top Level Conference Is In Progress6:06
- 29.Port Of Saints: Firecracker (excerpt)3:51
- 30.Cities of the Red Night: Virus B-231:21
- 31.Cities of the Red Night: Doctor Pierson8:43
- 32.Cities of the Red Night: The Name Is Clem Snide. Mr. Hart Couldn't Hear the Word Death5:04
- 33.Place of Dead Roads: This Is Kim Carson2:02
- 34.Place of Dead Roads: Just Like the Collapse of Any Currency1:57
- 35.Place of Dead Roads: The Purple Better One4:14
- 36.Place of Dead Roads: M.O.B.4:32
- 37.Place of Dead Roads: The Whole Tamale4:24
- 38.Place of Dead Roads: My Protagonist Kim Carson4:57
- 39.Place of Dead Roads: Salt Chunk Mary1:18
- 40.Place of Dead Roads: Like Mr. Hart, Kim Has a Dark Side to His Character2:50
- 41.Place of Dead Roads: Progressive Education7:13
- 42.Place of Dead Roads: The Wild Fruits2:26
- 43.Place of Dead Roads: Old Man Bickford2:10
- 44.The Western Lands: The Mummy Piece4:07
- 45.The Western Lands: The President1:56
- 46.The Western Lands: Colonel Bradfield2:36
- 47.The Western Lands: Every Man a God1:17
- 48.The Western Lands: Kim Like the Great Gatsby1:26
- 49.Just Say No to Drug Hysteria (excerpt)4:08
- 50.Words of Advice3:28
- 51.Dinosaurs6:00
- 52.Sexual Conditioning8:36
- 53.Dead Souls4:10
- 54.The Cat Inside: Excerpts9:00
- 55.Nothing Here Now But The Recordings: Captain Clark Welcomes You Aboard0:24
- 56.Nothing Here Now But The Recordings: The Saints Go Marching Through All The Popular Tunes4:12
- 57.Nothing Here Now But The Recordings: Summer Will1:59
- 58.Nothing Here Now but the Recordings: Outside the Pier Prowled Like Electric Turtles1:14
- 59.Nothing Here Now But The Recordings: The Total Taste Is Here, New Cut-Ups0:39
- 60.Nothing Here Now but the Recordings: We See the Future Through the Binoculars of the People11:26
- 61.Nothing Here Now But The Recordings: Just Checking Your Summer Recordings1:44
- 62.Nothing Here Now but the Recordings: Creepy Letter, Cut-Up at the Beat Hotel in Paris1:57
- 63.Nothing Here Now But The Recordings: Inching, Is This Machine Recording?1:00
- 64.Nothing Here Now But The Recordings: Handkerchief Masks, News Cut-Ups3:23
- 65.Nothing Here Now But The Recordings: Word Falling, Photo Falling1:26
- 66.Nothing Here Now But The Recordings: Throat Microphone Experiment1:01
- 67.Nothing Here Now But The Recordings: It's About Time To Identify Oven Area1:10
- 68.Nothing Here Now But The Recordings: Last Words Of Hassan Sabbah12:13
- 69.Nothing Here Now But The Recordings: I Was Fooling Around With These Tapes In Hotels3:18
Vaudeville Voices1993
Tracklist not collected yet.
Spare Ass Annie and Other Tales1993
- 1.Interlude 1 (Wrinkled Earlobes Are a Sign of Impending Heartattacks)0:23
- 2.Spare Ass Annie4:30
- 3.Interlude 2 (This Is Insane)0:20
- 4.The Last Words of Dutch Schultz (This Is Insane)2:22
- 5.Interlude 3 (The Vultures Are Gone and Will Never Come Back)0:17
- 6.Mildred Pierce Reporting (Old Sarge)2:05
- 7.Dr. Benway Operates2:45
- 8.Warning to Young Couples (Huntsmen's Hounds)2:13
- 9.Did I Ever Tell You About the Man That Taught His Asshole to Talk?6:19
- 10.Last Words With Ras I. Zulu1:02
- 11.A One God Universe3:32
- 12.Interlude 4 (Fletch Is Here)0:36
- 13.The Junky's Christmas15:54
- 14.Words of Advice for Young People4:42
- 15.Last Words With Michael Franti0:47
Dead City Radio1990
Tracklist not collected yet.
Interviews + Readings1989
Tracklist not collected yet.
Uncommon Quotes1988
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Doctor Is on the Market1986
Tracklist not collected yet.
Break Through in Grey Room1986
Tracklist not collected yet.
Nothing Here Now but the Recordings1981
Tracklist not collected yet.
You’re the Guy I Want to Share My Money With1981
Tracklist not collected yet.
William S. Burroughs / John Giorno1975
Tracklist not collected yet.
Call Me Burroughs1965
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Road To The Western Lands2016
Tracklist not collected yet.
Selections From the Best of William Burroughs From Giorno Poetry Systems1998
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Elvis of Letters1985
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- ESP-Disk
Achievements
- Award
- Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres
- Award
- Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres
Influenced by
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: William Burroughs, William S Burroughs
American novelist, short story writer, essayist, painter, and spoken word performer (1914–1997)
William Seward Burroughs II was an American writer and visual artist. He is widely considered a primary figure of the Beat Generation and a major postmodern author who influenced both underground and popular culture and literature. Much of Burroughs's work is highly experimental and features unreliable narrators. Also noted as semi-autobiographical, his work often drew from his experiences with drug addiction, and featured his various places of residence as settings in much of his work. With Brion Gysin, Burroughs popularized the cut-up, an aleatory literary technique. His writing also engaged frequent mystical, occult, or otherwise magical themes, constant preoccupations in both his fiction and real life.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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