Freda Payne's memoir recounts her vibrant life as a singer and actress, highlighting her rise to fame with the hit "Band of Gold" and her Grammy-nominated album, Contact. She shares captivating anecdotes from her adventures alongside legendary figures in show business, such as Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jr. This inspiring narrative not only celebrates her glamorous career but also offers a glimpse into the world of entertainment during a remarkable era.
A frank examination of Aretha Franklin, Mark Bego's definitive biography traces her career accomplishments from her beginnings as a twelve-year-old member of a church choir in the early 1950s, to recording her first album at the age of fourteen and signing a major recording contract at eighteen, right up through untimely passing in 2018. Originally positioned to become a gospel star in her father's Detroit church, Aretha had a privileged urban upbringing; ;stars such as Mahalia Jackson, Dinah Washington, and Sam Cooke regularly visited her father, Rev. C.L. Franklin. It wasn't long before she was creating a string of hits, from "Respect" to "Freeway of Love"; and becoming one of the most beloved singers of the twentieth century. This New York Times bestselling author's detailed research includes in-person interviews with record producers Jerry Wexler, Clyde Otis, and Clive Davis, Aretha's first husband, several of her singing star contemporaries, and a rare one-on-one session with Aretha herself. Every album, every accolade, and every heart-breaking personal drama is examined with clarity and neutrality, allowing Franklin's colorful story to unfold on its own. With two teenage pregnancies and an abusive first marriage, drinking problems, battles with her weight, the murder of her father, and tabloid wars, Aretha's life was a roller coaster. This freshly updated and expanded biography will give readers a clear understanding of what made Aretha Franklin the "Queen of Soul."
In his fiction debut--and the start of a new series--celebrated illustrator K.G. Campbell brings a touch of Tim Burton to this singularly strange and wonderful story about a lonely boy whose life is about to get a whole lot more complicated when a zombie follows him home. August DuPont has spent his whole life inside a dilapidated house with his aunt Hydrangea. His lonely existence ends abruptly with the arrival of an invitation to meet an aunt--and cousins--he didn't even know existed. When Aunt Orchid suggests that August attend school with his cousins, it's a dream come true. But August has scarcely begun to celebrate his reversal of fortune when he is confronted by a small problem on his way home. So begins an adventure filled with a wild child, a zombie, a fabled white alligator, and an unimaginable family secret.
Back cover In 1969, an energetic eleven-year old with big, soulful eyes and a voice that could move mountains burst onto the music scene. He was part of a brother act called The Jackson Five, but it was Michael's magical voice that captured millions of hearts.Now, at the age of 25, Michael is the first recording star in history to have four Top Ten hit releases from one album. Over 110 million of his records have been sold - making him the best-selling musical artists ever. In 1983, Cash Box magazine distinguished Michael with an astounding eight awards - including #1 Male Artist.He's scintillating, smooth and sensational - and this is his story - the life story of an extraordinary young entertainer whose star is still rising.
Elton John, a vibrant entertainer for nearly four decades, mastered various pop music genres and created timeless hits like “Crocodile Rock” and “Candle In The Wind.” Known for his extravagant persona and musical genius, he remains a pop icon. This biography by Mark Bego offers deep insights into his fascinating life and career.
Billy Joel ranks among rock'n'roll’s most talented artists. This biography is the first in-depth portrait of a man who is the son of German Jews who fled the Nazi regime, including his childhood in the Bronx, his professional struggles, and his six Grammys.Billy Joel is also widely known for his professional struggles — his substance abuse problems, his marriage to Christie Brinkley, and a string of car accidents. This is a portrait of a larger-than-life figure, featuring interviews with his bandmates and representatives from Columbia Records, an extensive examination of his diverse music tastes, and never-before-seen photographs.
Here is the definitive biography of the Grammy Award-winning singer/song-writer and political activist whose career rose rapidly in the 1970s, stalled in the 1980s, and resurged in the 1990s. This evocative, ultimately triumphant tale details Raitt's career from her debut record in 1971 to her recent, highly acclaimed "Silver Lining" album and tour; her friendships and collaborations with rhythm-and-blues legends including Howlin' Wolf, Aretha Franklin, and John Lee Hooker; her struggles with alcoholism and the often-chauvinistic music industry; and much more.
