Adele Bertei in conversation with David Eastaugh

https://www.adelebertei.com

Bertei began her career playing guitar and singing in the Wolves, her first band with Laughner. She left Cleveland for New York City in 1977 shortly after Laughner died prematurely of complications due to alcoholism.

Bertei quickly became a prominent figure in the no wave art and music scene in NYC, playing Acetone organ and guitar in the original line up of the Contortions fronted by James Chance.

written three books as well. Published in 2013, Bertei’s first book is “Peter and the Wolves” about her friendship with musician Peter Laughner and their journey through the 1970’s underground punk scene. The book was rereleased in 2021. Bertei’s second book, Why Labelle Matters, is about the cultural and musical progress achieved by Patti Labelle and the Bluebelles in the 1960’s. The newest book by Bertei is a memoir titled “Twist: An American Girl.” The release date is set for spring of 2023 with publisher ZE Books.