Book Description

The Wonder Years tells of early Motown, when talented young stars were onthe rise. A teacher, Ted enabled Stevie to pursue both his career andeducation. Visually impaired himself, Ted showed the teen blindnessneedn't limit independence or adventure. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Michael M. Carey was born in Zachary, Louisiana, where he lived until the age of thirteen. His mother married and moved the family to Clinton, Louisiana. That's when Michael really started to get serious about singing. Today, Michael is an established singer, songwriter, and performer. He has traveled the United States singing R&B music. His music has taken him as far as London, England, to perform. He has released three solo albums. Michael has not received the national attention that's given to top entertainers, but he refuses to give up and be just a local entertainer. He keeps singing, performing and striving for national recognition. He decided to write this book after he realized how divided the country is when it comes down to politics. This book tells Michael's story about how he was unfairly judged because of his works with the very controversial, well known talk show host, Rush Limbaugh. And that's how he became caught up in A Costly Rush. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Myths are considered and realities profiled
When soul musician Ike Turner was nineteen, his band traveled to Memphis and predated Chuck Berry's auto songs with the winning Rocket 88. His musical achievements and life sky-rocketed afterwards, and John Collins tracks Turner's evolution and achievement in his fine biography Ike Turner: King Of Rhythm. Myths are considered and realities profiled in an excellent presentation. ... Read more

Book Description

Month-by-month chromology of singer's life. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A GREAT RECOMMENDED CHOICE FOR DIE HARD BILLIE HOLIDAY FANS
i love this book...it is a luxury...especially if one is beginning to listen to Billie Holiday's recordings from 1933-1959. it is more like an pictorial reference to accompany the books that you read on her as you follow her career. it is thick and chockful of fascinating bits...

It's as if Billie invited you to look through her scrapbook
It's as if Billie invited you to look through her scrapbook of newspaper clippings, posters, photos, letters and recording dates. One could pick nits (she sang in Charleston WV, not Charlestown, and appeared on the Amateur Hour in 1938, not 1937), but no nit should keep anyone from picking this book for their collection on Lady Day. It's her life day by day from 1937 until her tragic 1959 death. One is transported to the era of jazz and feels like a member of the road band along for the ride through Vail's exhaustive work ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Overcoming so much
Ruth Brown is Amazing not only as a Artist but also as a Human Being in a time that not long ago that Hated her for HerColor&She fought for a better Tommorow for Future Generations of Artists coming.She overcame so much &Gave Back so Much not only as a Artist but also as a Person.Important Artists like Her should always be Remembered for Paving the way for so many.She is a Great Vocalist that could ring Circles around Many out today.Her Book&Etta James's are Must.Sister's that overcame so much but Maintain there Inner&Outer Soul.

"This is a really fascinating book, about an incredible woma
This is a terrific book that tells the story of a truly amazing woman and in the process, tells the story of hundreds of rhythym and blues performers and groups and the lives they led, in the early days of this important american music. The reader learns how Ms. Brown overcame unbelievable obstacles, both personal and business, and came out on top-in the process, initiating the creation of a great organization called The Rhythm and Blues Foundation, which is based in Washington DC, and exists for the purpose of helping to preserve the music and which provides cash awards and support for R&B pioneers.

A true R&B Legend
Ruth Brown has seen it all--from staying in sleazy segregated hotels on tour in Jim Crow America in the 40s and 50s to the top of the R&B charts in the 50s to later hearing her songs on the radio when she was broke and ignored by the record companies she helped build. This lady was the "diva" of R&B and still performs today to packed audiences. We're lucky to have this historical record of her life, for it is a reflection of what many black performers of her day had to go through before achieving the heights of musical stardom, and what they had to go through even after achieving the heights. A great lady and a great performer!

A brilliant book about a truly amazing life.
Miss Rhythm is one of the most well-written books I've ever read, in a any genre. Besides that, it tells about the life of someone who's had enough life-experience, and up and downs, for five people, and who has overcome incredible adversity in the proccess. Ruth Brown is not only a great artist but is truly an inspiration and an example for people from all backgrounds and all walks of life. ... Read more

Book Description

These audio biographies chart the lives and work of some of rock's most memorable acts, from their early days to their rise to fame. Each CD includes comments and interview material by the artist and is accompanied by an eight-page illustrated booklet and foldout poster. ... Read more

Book Description

This is a tale of friendship, greed, and betrayal in the music industry -- and a definitive history of America's biggest rap mogul.

No one knows more about creating hits than Sean "Puffy" Combs. For years he virtually ran hip-hop. It seemed the perfect arrangement: "Puffy" provided the sounds and obsessive attention to detail while the Notorious B.I.G. promoted an image that kept rap fans happy. It should have lasted forever, but "Biggie" was murdered at the height of his career -- and "Puffy"'s ascension to superstardom ushered in an age of disloyalty and deception that exploded into one of the greatest debacles in the history of the music industry.

Through interviews with label insiders, grand jury testimony, and other sources, America's preeminent rap journalist Ronin Ro

Book Description

Truly Blessed is legendary singer Teddy Pendergrass's riveting account of the journey that took him from a North Philadelphia ghetto to the stage of Madison Square Garden.From his first hits as lead singer of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes--"If You Don't Know Me by Now" and "The Love I Lost"--to his sizzling solo singles, including "Close the Door" and "Turn Off the Lights," Teddy was clearly special. Described as "the black Elvis," he sparked in female fans an unprecedented sexual frenzy and earned the critics' unqualified respect.Teddy seemed invincible, until a near-fatal 1982 car

accident left him partially paralyzed and wheelchair-bound. Miraculously, though, he returned: to the stage at 1985's Live Aid, to the top of the charts with 1988's "Joy," and to the millions of fans around the world who still love the sexy, charismatic man they call the Teddy Bear.Adored by millions, though known by few, Teddy reveals for the first time the real story: the early struggles; the women (some famous) and the drugs that came with fame; the circumstances around his accident and the crisis of faith that followed. Here, too, is the account of how the love of Teddy's family helped him overcome self-imposed isolation, depression, and drug abuse. Truly Blessed is a personal story of triumph--over

poverty, racism, violence, disability, and fate--and a tribute to faith, determination, and love. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

A Must Read for All Hardcare Teddy Pendergrass Fans
...I have been listening to Teddy Pendergrass since his days with Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes (my father and I have copies of their 1975 LP "Wake Up Everybody" - he the LP, me the CD)and his earlier solo singles (among them, "Close the Door", "Only You" and "You Can't Hide from Yourself") are pure classics - just one example of the pure, raw, unadulterated soul music that was pumping out out of Gamble and Huff's PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL RECORDS headquartered in Philadelphia. When I heard about his near fatal car crash in early 1982 and the fact that he had no movement from the neck down, my heart sanked - will Teddy Pendergrass ever be able to share his rare amazing gift of singing again? Sad to say, his albums since then does not capture the rawness that his prior recordings did (the lone exception, his 1997 CD "You and I", my review of which you will see in AMAZON.COM's music section). Although his music was a treat to the ears for me, like so many of his fans, I had a lot of misconceptions of Teddy Pendergrass; to wit, his playboy life, lavish lifestyle and his children bore out of wedlock. However, I had the opportunity during Labor Day weekend in September, 1999 to visit The City of Brotherly Love and picked up this book. This book dispells all of the misconceptions and, in the process, shows the tender side of Teddy Pendergrass, the man and the human being - from his humble beginnings in North Philadelphia, his earlier, struggling days with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, his devotion to his mother, his wife, Karen, and, most remarkably, his three children to the car crash and his daily struggles as a quadraplegic. To my fellow Teddy Pendergrass fans: ignore the image, pick up this book and read it from cover to cover. You will NOT be disappointed.

a great book
teddy pendergrass's book is very well written.i feel it's one of the best bio's that i have ever read.it explains alot of things regarding his music&life.hearing how he started as a drummer before taking over the mic and his years with harold melvoin&the blue notes.a great book.

...whose hand is that cradling teddy's face?...
...just curious...maybe (hopefully) it's his wife's hand...what an INCREDIBLE woman she is...perhaps the most impressive person in his autobiography, aside from his mother. Just finished reading this book yesterday...after staring at the cover for a while (yeah...like it was gon MOVE or somethin'...or like he was gon actually BLINK!)...the cover alone can capture you --- especially if, like me, you are a true Teddy fan. I think I just recently evolved into one, however...it's like his music is f.g.f.o. (for grown folks only), and I just recently grew up...hey, what can I say? It took me til my thirties to really appreciate where this man is coming from.
...so of course I had to pick up the book...there was no me getting away from it, or it getting away from me. Admittedly, it's probably the best autobiography I've read in a while, written in straight forward language and sprinkled with humor. Some of what he shares is surprising, some of it not so surprising, but all of it is revealing, and I know it took a lot for him to share all that he did of himself, and I really appreciate that. I had just turned 13 the same month he had the car accident that left him a quadriplegic (sp?), and I remember well all the speculations and the news reports. Though I was young, I remember how much his accident really impacted me. I think in a way, reading this book, I grieved his loss all over again...(I was in such a sad mood all day yesterday...just couldn't seem to shake it)... after all, he is telling his own story here...no more speculations or rumors...just his words. I hurt that he --- or anyone --- would have to go through such a painful ordeal. As for anyone, my only hope and prayer is that he's grown through it, and has become, or is becoming, more of the person God wants him to be. I can only imagine, though, the limitations those who are physically challenged must face, and reading this book has given me a new appreciation for that, for which I'm thankful. I think there are so many things that we all take for granted day in and day out. Hopefully, we will open our eyes to see how Truly Blessed we all are, too...just as much as Teddy is.

It was "alright"...
This book is for die hard Teddy P fans. The story is o.k., but unless you are a true Teddy fan, don't waste your time.

YES, You are Truly Blessed
Dear Mr. Pendergrass,

Where should I begin writing this letter? I'll begin by saying, Hello. My name is Shirley Moore. I live in Rancho Cordova, CA, outside of Sacramento, CA. I pray that the lord is still blessing and keeping you in his grace. I've just finish reading your book "Truly Blessed". I am the one that's been truly blessed. I'm honored to have had the opportunity to read your book. It has given me a new look on life, in terms of reading and having the mind to read. Your book has had a profound effect upon my life. Having partied off your music for years, I felt compiled to write you. Before reading your book I really didn't enjoy reading, not at all. I'd like to share with you how this wonder took place. We (my husband Earl) and I heard over the radio that Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, Dramatic's, Chilite's and someone else was coming to town Friday, June 20, 2000. Yes, we got some tickets. While picking up the tickets at Tower Records we decided to go into the Tower bookstore next door. I was determined to find something to read; something that would keep my interest. I wanted to read about someone that I kind of knew a little bit about. It had to be about someone that was black. That way I could relate to them. Please, don't get me wrong. I like white people. I have white people as well as other races in my family, and I love them all to death. I just wanted to read about someone that was black. This put a limitation on my selection of books. I looked, I looked and I looked. I was getting tired, so I sat on the floor. There it was on the bottom rack, you were there staring at me. I said, Ooh Ooh. Teddy has a book. Truly, (one of my favorite words as well) this was exciting to me. I'd remember having the CD "TRULY BLESSED", as well as other CD's of yours in our home. I picked it up and begun to read. I couldn't put it down. I'd always begin reading a book but never finish it. I had to purchase the book because it was time to go home and time for the store to close. My families noticed that I was on a roll, reading for endless hours. I learned you were from the same hometown as my husband, Earl. That excited me. He was born and raised in Philadelphia. He has family members remaining in Philadelphia, North 60th street. You and Earl have traveled some of the same streets. Earl graduated from West High School with Kenny Gamble in 1961; one of the owners of the record company you once recorded music with. Kenny was married to Dee Dee Sharpe. I got this information from my husband Earl. Lots of the things you would talk about in your book, I would ask Earl about, such as: names of schools, street names the Uptown theater and other things. All of this was exciting and important to me. It was an added bonus to my reading. Isn't it funny how things have a way of working out for ones good. Yes, I finished the book. Thank-you very much. I'm rather proud of myself. 40 years old and the second time in life finishing a book. That's something.

The concert was FANTASTIC. The Blue Notes were great. They sang lots of songs that you sang back in the day. They sounded good, but not like you. There is only one "Teddy Pendergrass" and that's you. You are the best at what you do.

Earl and I (my first time) and 14 years old daughter visited Philly last August for vacation and our anniversary to see his dad, stepmother and his mother up in NYC. I LOVED IT. We had to return to Philadelphia this past January for Earl's sister funeral service. Under the circumstances I still had a wonderful time, I realized when I returned home to Sacramento, California, that I hadn't left the house but one time, and that was for the funeral services. Philly is the Bomb.

Your life story is somewhat like my husband's family. Earl's stepmother has had stroke after stroke, after stroke. Today, she is bedridden. She has no concept as to who she is or what is going on in her life. She has been in this condition for over 21 years at home. Earl's father is and has been taking extremely good care of Mom for all those years and many more before those strokes began. See again, you are truly blessed.

You're such a remarkably incredible man Mr. Pendergrass. The courage that you possess, makes you one of a kind. Yes, childhood life was hard and sometimes it carries itself into ones adulthood, but throughout your life you have struggled. Pressing on, toward the mark, done the best that you possible could. You've always come out a winner, sitting pretty in the father's hand. When you look back you can say it really hasn't been so bad. And in my book that is what it's all about, it's a wonderful thing; it's a miracle. Pressing on, never giving up. There is never nothing that you can't do. You may have to take another route, maybe even a longer route, of getting it done, but I'm sure it will get done. Remember that you are Teddy. SMILE.

Earl and I, and our children have plans to come home to Philly in August of this year for vacation and our anniversary (again). This time my plans are to go out of the house and see Philadelphia. SMILE. Earl's 4 grown children will meet they're grandparents, for the first time. That's another long wonderful story. See the LORD is in the blessing business. And we are here to accept them. I am hoping that I will/could have an opportunity to meet with you and Karen. Karen... a wonderful and caring women. There you go again... being truly blessed. She has a wonderful spirit within her. She was made for you, and has made you happy. I'm glad you recognize that.

I know this is asking for much BUT I'd like very much if we could meet with you and your family while we're in Philadelphia. Please? We don't get to come that way often. This would be a dream come true. Thank-you so much in advance. Thank you so much for your inspiration. The enthusiasm and the joy that you've brought into my life, as well as others. I know that the LORD will continue to bless and keep you.

Sincerely yours, Shirley Moore

P.S. I would like to let you know that I'm currently reading insights on life and love of Barry White "Love Unlimited" book, all because of you.

Again, thank you. ... Read more