Idle Worship: How Pop Empowers the Weak, Rewards the Faithful and Succours to the Needy

Here is a collection of eleven original writings on the excitement, the enlightenment, and the embarrassment of fandom by musicians and writers who have seen it from both sides. Bono of U2 describes an awe-struck evening with Frank Sinatra. Kristin Hersh of Throwing Muses pens an ode to Patti Smith. Each contributor launches inquiries about the world of fan fever. Photos.