Touched by the Presence: From Blondie’s Bowery and Rock and Roll to Magic and the Occult

Since he was a young boy, Gary Lachman stood out as a prolific reader with a keen intellect. His appreciation for comic books transitioned to the literary works of H.P. Lovecraft and Herman Hesse, and he would accumulate an extensive library of books with each passing year. By 1975, he was a bassist for the rock band “Blondie”, where he showcased his writing chops with his authorship of a couple of the band’s early hits. However, Gary remainder a seeker of knowledge, which led to him searching out books of philosophy and occultism. He could read the works of Nietzsche & Colin Wilson and then offer a discourse on their ideas that would either illuminate people’s minds or vex them. While he may have started as a musician, Gary Lachman possessed the mind of a scholar, if not a philosopher.

Touched by the Presence is an engrossing story about a man’s spiritual and intellectual enlightenment. Gary Lachman’s erudition is extensive, and his ability to craft an interesting narrative is undeniable. His latest work charts his growth as a writer and as a person; this is an exceptional book that functions as a memoir & reference book.