"I don't want to name names, but the least I can say about rock and roll is that I'm suspicious"

The quote by Manuel Puig, "I do not want to name names, however the least I can state about rock and roll is that I'm suspicious", offers a nuanced perspective on the genre of rock-and-roll, encapsulating both adoration and suspicion. This belief is reflective of the complex relationship between artists, audiences, and the transformative power of music.

First, the phrase "I do not wish to call names" suggests that Puig had particular circumstances or figures in mind when formulating this suspicion. This hesitation to name individuals may originate from a desire to prevent singling out specific artists, focusing rather on the category as a whole. It suggests an awareness that rock and roll can not be distilled into a couple of representatives, acknowledging its huge and differed landscape of artists and styles.

The term "suspicious" can be translated in numerous methods. On one hand, it hints at a cautious suspicion about the cultural and social effects of rock-and-roll. Puig might be questioning the authenticity of certain aspects of the category, perhaps careful of its commercialization or the way of life it glamorizes. The suspicion could also be directed towards the rebellious nature historically associated with rock-and-roll, questioning whether it truly challenges social standards or merely provides a facade of rebellion that is eventually consumable and non-threatening.

On the other hand, Puig's suspicion might be tinged with fascination. Rock-and-roll has always been a website of development, pressing borders both musically and culturally. This suspicion, for that reason, may be a recommendation of its ability to provoke and influence change, generating a cautious regard for its power and influence.

Ultimately, the quote reflects a critical engagement with rock and roll, capturing Manuel Puig's thoughtful, if ambivalent, handle a genre that is both divisive and unifying. His declaration summarizes the duality of rock and roll: as a source of issue due to its unpredictability, and as a wellspring of creative and cultural vitality. This dual nature is what makes rock-and-roll perpetually interesting, meriting both the suspicion and gratitude with which Puig regards it.