Bøger af James Hoag

"What a long, strange trip it's been."Welcome to another in the Legends of Rock & Roll series.The Legends of Rock & Roll series is about the music we have listened to over the past fifty years. This is a mini-biography of the band The Grateful Dead, but even more importantly, it's about the music that they created; the songs that affected a generation. The Dead were the most important band of the psychedelic era (the last half of the Sixties) and, arguably, one of the most ground breaking bands in the history of Rock & Roll. They gradually increased their fans until hundreds of thousands would show up for a concert. The Grateful Dead are almost single-handedly responsible for keeping the spirit of the Sixties alive through the next twenty years.This is the story of The Grateful Dead. This is an unauthorized fan tribute.Inside you'll find: Introduction - My feelings about The Grateful Dead in general and a kick-off for the book.Before The Grateful Dead - An introduction to how the five guys came together to form the band.Jerry Garcia - A look at the life of Jerry Garcia before The Grateful Dead.Phil Lesh - A look at the life of Phil Lesh before The Grateful Dead.Bob Weir - A look at the life of Bob Weir before The Grateful Dead.Ron "Pigpen" McKernan - - A look at the life of Ron "Pigpen" McKernan before The Grateful Dead.Bill Kreutzmann - A look at the life of Bill Kreutzmann before The Grateful Dead.Acid Tests - "Can You Pass the Acid Tests?"What's in a Name - How did the Dead come up with the name and what does it mean?Summer of Love - 1967 was the famous Summer of Love in San Francisco. What part did the Dead play it that?Mickey Hart Joins the Band - The band gets a sixth member."Anthem of the Sun" - How their second album came to be."Aoxomoxoa" - The third album. What does it mean and how do you pronounce it?First Truly Live Album - They finally get a chance to record a live album and everything changes."Workingman's Dead" - The story of a Grateful Dead classic."American Beauty" - This album contained one of their most famous hits.A Classic Concert - The story of a classic concert in New York City.Deadheads - Who were Deadheads and where did the name come from?Keith and Donna Godchaux Join the Band - The band grows by two more people.The Death of Pigpen - The loss of one of the founding members deeply affects the band.The Wall of Sound - The famous wall of sound that highlighted each live performance."Blues for Allah" - Another famous Dead album. Who is Allah?The Eighties - Drugs threatened to end the band in the Eighties.Jerry Goes Through a Rough Patch - Jerry Garcia goes through some tough times trying to get his habits under control."Touch of Gray" - The story of their one hit single.The End of The Grateful Dead - The loss of Jerry Garcia signals the end of the Grateful Dead.After the Dead - What happened to the band members after the band broke up? Legacy of The Grateful Dead - Every Legends book has a Legacy section where we review the awards and contributions of the artist or band.Afterword - My closing thoughts.Selected Discography - A list of the major works by The Grateful Dead.

Chuck Berry is known as "the Father of Rock and Roll". Without Chuck Berry, rock and roll would have been very different. He is its greatest songwriter, one of its greatest guitar players and one of its greatest performers. He influenced The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan and a host of others. Start any Chuck Berry song and before it has gone more than a couple seconds, you recognize that guitar. Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys said "he wrote all of the great songs and came up with all the rock & roll beats."In this short book, I talk about the life of Chuck Berry, both the good and the bad, the music he is responsible for and the impact that music has had on all of our lives. Chuck Berry is truly one of the Legends of Rock & Roll.Chapters include: IntroductionIn the BeginningFirst Time in TroubleThe Sir John's TrioMaybellinePayolaMore HitsSecond Time in TroubleStarting Over Again"My Ding-a-Ling"The EightiesLegacySelected DiscographyStudio AlbumsCompilation AlbumsSinglesAfterward

Did you know that Simon & Garfunkel are the most popular duo of all time?This is another in the series of tributes to rock and roll heroes of the past and present. Simon & Garfunkel knew each other since first grade in elementary school. They grew up together and started performing together as Tom & Jerry. Simon & Garfunkel only produced 5 albums together before breaking up in 1971, but they are the sound of the Sixties and will be remembered for many years to come.After breaking up, each had a very successful solo career and continue to sell music to this day.You will discover: Introduction: The kickoff for the book and my thoughts on the group.The Early Years: The boys grew up together and have known each other almost their whole life.Tom & Jerry: The story of their first recordings as Tom & Jerry.Taking a Break From Music: Their first breakup (but not their last)Signing on to Columbia: They finally get a recording contract. Are they stars overnight?"The Sound of Silence": The story of the song that kicked off two careers.Then Lightning Struck: They finally get their big break."Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme": Their famous second album.The Drug Years: It seems most performers go through them. The years of drug abuse."Mrs. Robinson": The story behind, perhaps, their most famous song."Catch-22": Art Garkunkel becomes an actor."The Boxer": Another of their more famous songs.Female Companionship: Both Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon get married about the same time."Bridge Over Troubled Water": Their last and most successful album.Paul Simon Alone: The start of the solo years after the breakup.Art Garfunkel Alone: Art must also face being alone with his talent."There Goes Rhymin' Simon": The second solo album by Paul Simon.Problems at Home: Being a celebrity is hard on the home life."My Little Town": A brief reunion of sorts as they record together again."Annie Hall": Paul finally gets his chance to act in a movie.Carrie Fisher: Did you know Paul was married to Carrie Fisher for a short time?The Central Park Concert: How many attended and why was it the event of the century?"Graceland": The interesting story behind one of Paul's most famous and popular albums.In the Years Since: Bringing the guys up to the present.Legacy of Simon & Garfunkel: Every Legends book has a section on the notable accomplishments of the performer.Afterword: My closing thoughts.Selected Discography: A selected reference of the works of the performers.

Rick Nelson (known as Ricky in his younger years) started out playing himself in the "Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" TV show in the Fifties and Sixties. He then discovered Rock and Roll and found out he could sing, too. Rick became the first real "teen idol" and sold over 50 million records in his lifetime. He had 18 top 10 singles. He is ranked the 4th singles seller of all time. This short book is a tribute to his life and to his music.Included are the following chapters: IntroductionHis Early YearsThe Music BeginsThe Start of the Imperial YearsMovie and TV CareerRick NelsonGarden PartyRick's WomenA Very Untimely DeathAfter the CrashLegacyDiscographyAlbumsSinglesAfterwor

Welcome to another in the Legends of Rock & Roll series.This is, like the others, a mini-biography of one the greatest of American bands, The Doors. The Doors were one of most intense and radical rock groups of the Sixties and their legacy can still be felt today, 40 years after the death of Jim Morrison. Their career was short, only about 6 years, but they fit a lifetime of music into those 6 years.This was the Sixties, the generation that gave us LSD, hippies, protests of the Vietnam War, flower children, and free love. Jim Morrison and the Doors wrote and sang about all of that. They were as interesting to watch on stage as they were to listen to. This book is about the group, but even more importantly, it's about the music. This series is my way of honoring the people that have brought so much joy to our lives over the years.It is an unauthorized fan tribute.Inside you'll find: Introduction - Remarks about The Doors in general and a kick-off for the book.In the Beginning - A brief biography of each of the four members of the Doors and how they came together.Birth of the Doors - The beginning of the band. Do you know how they got their name?The London Fog - Their first job prior to moving up to the big time and getting a record contract.The First Album: "The Doors" - This album contains their signature song "Light My Fire", their first number one.The Ed Sullivan Show - In the late Sixties, no one stood up to Ed Sullivan. Jim Morrison did."Strange Days" - The Doors release a second album with a "strange" cover.New Haven, Connecticut - Did you know Jim Morrison was the first performer to be arrested during a concert? Find out why."Waiting for the Sun" - The Doors third album is their only album to reach number one.Jim Morrison Begins to Self-Destruct - The drinking and the drugs were finally catching with with Jim.Meltdown in Miami - Jim Morrison is arrested again. Did he really do what they said he did?"Morrison Hotel" - Jim's life continued to spin out of control. He is arrested again and their fifth album is released."L.A. Woman" - The last album Jim Morrison actively participated in also contains some of the group's best work.Paris - What really happened the night Jim Morrison died?The 27 Club - Do you know how many performers and writers have died during their 27th year?After Jim Morrison - The band tries to move on without Jim, but finds they can't really do it."An American Prayer" - the last Doors album is recorded using old recordings of Jim reciting his poetry, Taking It Up to the Present - Various events that have happened between the late Seventies and today.Legacy of The Doors - Every Legends book has a Legacy section where we review the awards and contributions of the artist.Afterword - My closing thoughtsSelected Discography - A list of the major works by The Doors.

Bobby Darin was one of the great performers of the Fifties and Sixties. He started as a rock and roller and ended up on the same level as greats like Frank Sinatra. He married one of the heart throbs of the Fifties, Sandra Dee. His life was full of great successes and a lot of heartache. He had health problems most of his life and he rose above it all. His life is true inspiration to us all.He died young (37), well before he should have. But he made the most of the life he had and has become a real legend. This book covers his life and music.Topics covered are: IntroductionHis YouthA Talent For MusicSong WriterSplish SplashMack the KnifeBeyond the SeaThe DeclineActing CareerThree Personal BlowsA ComebackThe EndBobby Darin, the ManLegacyDiscography, Albums, SinglesFilmsAfterwor

Everyone knows that Aretha Franklin is the Queen of Soul. Growing up in Detroit, she was the daughter of one of the most charismatic evangelists in the city. So, you would think she would become a great gospel singer and she did. But it was in R&B and Soul that she is best know. Aretha was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She has more Grammys for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance Awards (eleven) than any other artist. She sang at the inauguration of two American Presidents. In 1992, she sang at President Bill Clinton's inauguration. Then again in 2008, President Obama asked her to sing at his inauguration. She sang "My Country 'tis of Thee". She has lived a life dedicated to the music that we all love. Still somewhat active today, this little tribute to Aretha Franklin is written with all the love I can give it.This is the first in a series of books about the Legends of Soul. I started with Aretha because, well, she is the Queen. Aretha could easily be put into the category of rock and roll. In fact, she has done it all. She sings rock, soul, R&B, gospel, jazz and blues and we'll talk a little about these as we review her life. This is not a long book. It is not an exhaustive biography. Here, I concentrate on the music and the life that made that music. The subjects that are covered, among other things, are: Introduction, In the beginning..., Early success, The Atlantic years, R-E-S-P-E-C-T, The civil right movement, The Seventies, Reinventing Herself, The Blues Brothers, "Jumpin Jack Flash", In Decline, 50 Years in Show Business, Legacy of Aretha Franklin, Selected Discography.

Jerry Lee Lewis, also known as "The Killer", and the "Ferriday Fireball" had a tumultuous career. Is there an early rock and roller who had the energy he had, who could play (or pound) a piano with the ferocity that Jerry Lee could? With an ego the size of Louisiana, he took the music world by storm in 1956 and, for a couple years, was on everybody's lips. He really didn't have that many pop hits in the Fifties. Six, in total and he never had a number one song. But, who among us has never heard of Jerry Lee? He certainly made his mark on the early history of Rock and Roll. What a lot of people might not realize is that Jerry Lee Lewis was a much bigger Country Music star than he was a Pop star.This is a tribute to The Killer. It is not an exhaustive biography, it is more of a thumbnail sketch of his life and his music. I love the music of the Fifties and want to share that love with others. That is why I am writing this series. When Jerry Lee Lewis was good, he was awesome. When he was bad, people turned against him. He had to re-invent himself midway through his career. This is the story of his life and, especially, his music. Topics covered include: IntroductionGetting His Start (his early years)Million Dollar Quartet"Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" (his first big hit)It All Comes Crashing Down (the public turned their back on him)Personal LifeThe Transition to Country (he re-invents himself)Movie of His LifeLegacySelected Discography (singles and albums)Afterward (my conclusion)

10 Books in One! Legends of Rock & Roll is a series of small Kindle books each of which features a different artist from the rock & roll era. This book combines 10 artists who were popular or who started recording during the birth of rock & roll, the Fifties. If you were alive during the Fifties or even if you listened to the music on oldies radio, from about 1955 until the end of the decade, the greatest music of all time was produced. (That is, of course, just my opinion). In this first volume of the Legends of Rock & Roll - The Fifties, is combined mini-biographies of ten of the greatest artists of that decade. You will find the stories of: The Everly Brothers Fats Domino Rick Nelson Connie Francis Bobby Darin Chuck Berry Little Richard Jerry Lee Lewis Paul Anka Buddy Holly Come with me now back to a better time, a simpler time and a more innocent time. Come back to the 1950's and re-live the birth of rock & roll.

Before there was Prince, before there was Michael Jackson, before even the Beatles there was Little Richard, a true Rock and Roll trailblazer.It seems like everybody in Rock and Roll has a title. James Brown is called the Godfather of Soul. Elvis, of course, is the King. In the Legends of Rock & Roll: Chuck Berry book, we learned that Chuck Berry is the Father of Rock and Roll. Little Richard called himself the "Architect of Rock and Roll". As we learn more about his life and music, I think you'll agree that Little Richard, like others, had a lot to do with the shaping of the music and laying the foundation for Rock and Roll with his explosive music and charismatic personality.Along with Elvis Presley, Little Richard helped define the wild side of early rock and roll with sexualized songs and outrageous behavior on stage.This is a thumbnail sketch of the life of Little Richard Penniman. The good and the not so good. I write about the music and the events in the artist's life that are responsible for some of the greatest music this world has ever known. This is not an exhaustive biography, you can get those elsewhere. This is a summary of the events in the life of Little Richard that resulted in the music that he created. Music, we still listen to today, over 50 years later.The topics covered are: IntroductionEarly InfluencesCreating the Little Richard PersonaFirst Recordings"Tutti Frutti"Rock and Roll is Evil?Giving Up Rock and RollBack to the Old LifeTrying to Make a ComebackThe SeventiesFaith Inspired Rock and RollKeeping BusyLegacySelected DiscographyAfterword

This is, like the others, a mini-biography of one the greatest performers in the music world. This is the fourth of a series within a series covering the four members of, arguably, the greatest group in music history, The Beatles. This report concentrates on Ringo Starr. This book is not about the Beatles. While I know that you can't write about Ringo Starr without considering the Beatles, the emphasis of this book is not the group, but instead, the life and music of Ringo as an individual and as a solo performer. In this particular volume, like before, I will discuss Ringo's early life and his joining up with three other lads to create what is probably the greatest rock and roll group in the history of the world. Come with me for a walk down memory lane as I review the life of Ringo Starr, and especially, the music that he produced. We'll visit each of his hits and find out how they came to be written or how they were recorded; and discuss any trivia that might be associated with the music. This book is about the man but even more importantly, it's about the music. This series is my way of honoring the people that have brought so much joy to our lives over the years.It is an unauthorized fan tribute.

"If we all could sound like we wanted to, we'd all sound like George Jones." - Waylon JenningsThis is the second in the "Legends of Country Music" series.This does for Country Music what "The Legends of Rock & Roll" series does for rock and roll. It is a mini-biography of one the great performers from Country Music, George Jones.George Jones has been called the greatest Country Music singer of all time.I have always loved every genre of music, but didn't get introduced to Country Music until the early Eighties. Once converted, I was a total country fan. This book is about George Jones, his life, his ups and his downs. It is a brief biography but I include all of the major points in the life of this great musician. But even more importantly, it's about the music. This series is my way of honoring the people that have brought so much joy to our lives over the years.This is an unauthorized fan tribute.Inside you'll find: Introduction - Remarks about George Jones in general and a kick-off for the book.Growing Up in Texas - Like so many before and after, George started with humble beginnings.Marriage Number One - George would be married four times, the first when he was just seventeen.Starday Records - The first record label that gave him his first big break.Marriage Number Two - After the disaster of marriage number one, he tries again."White Lightning" - His first number one hit.Melba Montgomery - George starts to become known for his duets with other performers.George Jones and Gene Pitney - Another collaborator was Gene Pitney.The Legend of the Lawn Mower - Did George really ride a lawn mower eight miles to town? Twice?Marriage Number Two - Tammy Wynette - Country royalty was formed.The King and First Lady of Country Music - George and Tammy are together in private and professional lives.Trouble in Paradise - George's drinking threatens to end his marriage for the third time.The End of the Royal Marriage - Tammy finally walks out and it's over."Golden Ring" - The story of one of George and Tammy's best duets."He Stopped Loving Her Today" - Some call this the greatest country song ever written.Marriage Number Four - The fourth time is the charm as George finally gets it together and makes it work.The End of Traditional Country - Country music changes in the Nineties, but George won't change with it.Tammy Passes Away - We lose the First Lady of Country Music.The Declining Years - George is still the best, but not selling many records anymore.The Last Few Years - The end finally comes as George passes away.Legacy of George Jones - Every Legends book has a Legacy section where I review the awards and contributions of the artist.Afterword - My closing thoughts.Selected Discography - A list of the major works by George Jones.

"It's All About the Music!"Welcome to another in the Legends of Rock & Roll series.This is, like the others, a mini-biography of one the greatest performers in the music world. This is the second of a series within a series covering the four members of, arguably, the greatest group in music history, The Beatles. I've already covered John Lennon, now it's Paul McCartney's turn. This book is not about the Beatles. While I know that you can't write about Paul McCartney without considering the Beatles, the emphasis of this book is not the Beatles, but instead, the life and music of Paul McCartney as an individual and as a solo performer. In this particular volume, like before, I will discuss Paul's early life and his joining up with three other lads to create what is probably the greatest rock and roll group in the history of the world. But it all ended at one point and Paul had a solo career after the Beatles broke up that still goes on to this day.Come with me for a walk down memory lane as I review the life of Paul McCartney, and especially, the music that he produced. We'll visit each of his hits and find out how they came to be written or how they were recorded; and discuss any trivia that might be associated with the music. This book is about the man but even more importantly, it's about the music. This series is my way of honoring the people that have brought so much joy to our lives over the years.It is an unauthorized fan tribute.The Chapters include: Introduction - A general introduction and a kick-off for the book.Early Childhood - A brief summary of his life before the music started.Music in the Family - Like most performers, Paul grew up in a home with music. His father was a musician and encouraged him.The Quarrymen - How did Paul meet John Lennon and become part of the band that would later become The Beatles?Birth of the Beatles - A brief introduction to the band, as it was getting started.The Beatles Years - Paul was a very important part of the band. It wouldn't have been the same without him.Paul is Dead - Did Paul really die in 1966 and was he replaced with a lookalike? Get the whole story.Drugs - The four guys had their share of experiences with drugs. How it affected the music.Linda Eastman - How did Paul meet the love of his life and first wife, Linda?The Breakup of the Beatles - All good things must come to an end.Wings - Paul's new band, Wings, was the start of another super group.First Tour - Paul didn't want to tour as a Beatle, he wanted to tour in his own right as a single performer."Hi, Hi, Hi" - One of Paul's early fun songs. Is it really about drugs?"Band on the Run" - How the biggest album of Paul's career was recorded."Venus and Mars" - Personnel changes in the band and more hits."Wings at the Speed of Sound" - The next album with another number one single, "Silly Love Songs"."Mull of Kintyre" - Believe it or not, this was the first number one song for Wings in England since the breakup."London Town" - Not one of Paul's better selling albums, Wings was down to just three people and one of them was pregnant."Back to the Egg" - His first album on a new label, Columbia, and the last with the band, Wings.Clipping His Wings - Why did Paul break up the group. Wings was no more."Ebony and Ivory" - The story behind one of the most successful duets of the Eighties.Working with Michael Jackson - Paul and Michael Jackson recorded two big hits together.1984 - 1990 - Paul, now flying solo, finishes out the Eighties.Nineties - Things are slowing down for Paul, but there is still a lot of great music to be played.Losing Linda - In 1998, the love of his life, Linda McCartney, dies of breast cancer. A tragic loss.Twenty-First Century - Paul marries again and continues to work.Legacy of Paul McCartney - Every Legends book has a Legacy section where we review the awards and contributions of the artist.

This is a love letter. I love the music of the Fifties. Actually, I love the music of the Sixties and Seventies, etc. as well, but the Fifties have always been my favorite. I hope that love comes through as I discuss one of the greats of that era, Fats Domino.The first musician to become a rock & roll icon solely on the strength of his music and talent and not because of some novelty or image was Fats Domino. It is said that Fats Domino put the rhythm in "rhythm and blues".This little book covers the following points in Fats Domino's life: IntroductionThe Early YearsImperial Records Era (1949 - 1962)Ain't That a ShameBlueberry HillMoviesOn the RoadPost Imperial Recording Career (1963 - 1970s)Later Career (1980s-2005)Hurricane KatrinaPost-Katrina activityLegacyDiscographyAfterword

Paul Anka started out as a teen idol. He was the boy the girls all swooned over when he sang. I listened to the radio a lot when I was a kid and always enjoyed a Paul Anka song when it came on. Even though Paul was a great singer (and still is), he's also one of the best songwriters that we've had in the past fifty years. He has written songs that have become icons in our American culture. Songs like the Theme song of the Tonight Show when Johnny Carson was at the helm. He wrote "She's a Lady" which was a big hit for Tom Jones and, I think, his best, he wrote "My Way" which was one of Frank Sinatra's signature songs. In this little ebook, I discuss the life and music of Paul Anka. The good and the bad, except for Paul Anka, there wasn't a lot of bad. He has won just about every award there is to give and this is my tribute to him.The subjects covered are: IntroductionHis Youth"Diana""The Winter Dance Party"Popularity GrowsWriting for OthersFilms & TVActive in Other CountriesReturn to the SpotlightLater CareerPersonal LifeLegacySelected Discography Albums SinglesAfterward

Buddy Holly lived a short life, killed at the age of 22 while touring in the mid-west in the middle of a freezing winter in 1959. That day is called "The Day the Music Died", but the music never really died. Buddy Holly has had more of an influence on Rock and Roll that most from that time era. And, it's amazing just how revered he is since he only had seven hit songs and his entire catalog is not that big.The Beatles look to Buddy as the person who had the most influence on them when they were starting out. The Rolling Stones recorded his music. Bob Dylan attended a Buddy Holly concert and came away a changed man.Buddy Holly is surely one of the greats of Rock and Roll and deserves to be called a legend. In this e-book, I don't try to analyze every little fact of his life, but instead look at his life as a whole and how his life affected his music and the music of those who listened to him. The following chapters are covered: IntroductionIn the Beginning...First Recording ContractThe Crickets"That'll Be the Day"Three Albums"Peggy Sue"Maria ElenaThe Split-Up"The Day the Music Died"After His Death"The Buddy Holly Story"LegacySelected Discography Albums Compilation albums SinglesAfterward (conclusion)

Welcome to another in the Legends of Rock & Roll series.This is, like the others, a mini-biography of one the greatest performers, The Bee Gees.I love the music of the 20th Century, especially rock and roll and everything that came after. The Bees Gees had two careers, one in the Sixties when they sounded a lot like the Beatles and again in the late Seventies when they defined the music of Disco for the world. The Bee Gees were born in England, moved to Australia where they got their start and then moved back to England and then eventually took up residence in America. This book is about the group, but even more importantly, it's about the music. This series is my way of honoring the people that have brought so much joy to our lives over the years. The Bee Gees defined music for a generation.This is an unauthorized fan tribute.Inside you'll find: Introduction - Remarks about The Bee Gees in general and a kick-off for the book.The Brothers Growing Up - Their early years from birth in England to leaving for Australia.Moving to Australia - The family decides that Australia is the place to be.The Bee Gees Are Born - How did they get their name and were they an overnight success?Working Their Way Up - The first few years are a struggle, but they persevere.Moving Back to England - Realizing there is more of an audience in England, the family moves back."New York Mining Disaster 1941" - What's the significance of their first hit?"To Love Somebody" - Their second hit does about as well as their first one did."(The Lights Went Out in) Massachusetts" - They had never been to the United States, let alone Massachusetts, they just liked the sound of the word."I Started a Joke" - A touching story of father and son that relates to this song.Split Up For Awhile - Having the disputes that often come with a small team working close together, the group separates for a while.Solo Period - The guys all get involved with solo projects.Reunited - Realizing that the whole is greater than the sum, they decide to get back together."Jive Talkin'" - Barry Gibb writes the song that will define the group for the next several years."Children of the World" - A great album which highlighted the new falsetto Barry Gibb sound."Saturday Night Fever" - The soundtrack and movie that kept disco and the Bee Gees alive, producing three number one hits."How Deep Is Your Love" - A little detail on the songs from "Saturday Night Fever"."Spirits Having Flown" - The follow-up to "Saturday Night Fever" that also produced three number one songs.Disco is Dead - Seemingly overnight, disco fell out of favor with the public and the Bee Gees died with it.The Bee Gees Start to Fade Away - With disco gone, they had trouble getting their own work played, so they wrote for others.The Loss of Andy Gibb - Their younger brother Andy, dies at the age of 30.Maurice - In 2003, one of the twins, Maurice Gibb, passes away unexpectedly.Robin - In 2012, we lose the other twin, Robin Gibb. The Bee Gees are over.Legacy of The Bee Gees - Every Legends book has a Legacy section where we review the awards and contributions of the artist.Afterword - My closing thoughts.Grammy Awards - A list of the Grammy Awards won by the group.Selected Discography - A list of the major works by The Bee Gees.

10 Books in One! Legends of Rock & Roll is a series of small Kindle books each of which features a different artist from the rock & roll era. This book combines 10 artists who were popular or who started recording during the re-birth of rock & roll, the Sixties. The Sixties was a turbulent decade. It started out rather slow and the death of rock and roll was predicted. Then the four lads from England came upon the scene and changed everything. In this second volume of the Legends of Rock & Roll - The Sixties, is combined mini-biographies of ten of the greatest artists of that decade. You will find the stories of: Neil Diamond Roy Orbison Bob Dylan The Beach Boys The Four Seasons The Doors The Bee Gees The Grateful Dead Simon & Garfunkel The Monkees You can re-live a time when our country was changing and so was the music that we listened to. Come back, with me, to the Sixties.

The Everly Brothers were one of the most important and influential of the early rock and roll bands. They set the standard high with close two-part harmonies and were the first of the rockers who combined country with rock and roll and, surprisingly, impressed both sides of the fence. This book is a fan's tribute to one of the great groups of the fifties and sixties. Anyone who is a fan of the Everly Brothers would enjoy learning more about the duo.Included in this short book are the following chapters: IntroductionBefore FameBye, Bye LoveWake Up, Little SusieAll I Have to Do Is DreamThe Warner Brother YearsThe MarinesThe British InvasionBreaking UpThe Solo YearsThe ReunionUp to the PresentThe Passing of Phil EverlyLegacy of The Everly BrothersSelected Discograph

"Before rock and roll, there was country" - Johnny Cash. This is the first in the "Legends of Country Music" series. This is, like the "Legends of Rock & Roll" series, a mini-biography of one the great performers from Country Music, Johnny Cash. I have always loved every genre of music, but didn't get introduced to Country Music until the early Eighties. Once converted, I was a total country fan. This book is about Johnny Cash, his life, his ups and his downs. It is a brief biography and I include all of the major points in the life of this great musician. But even more importantly, it's about the music. This series is my way of honoring the people that have brought so much joy to our lives over the years. Johnny Cash defined a music genre for more than one generation. This is an unauthorized fan tribute. Inside you'll find: Introduction - Remarks about Johnny Cash in general and a kick-off for the book. Growing Up - Johnny grew up during the depression. Times were hard and he learned to work. A Tour in the Air Force - After high school he left his sweetheart and joined the Air Force. Meeting Sam Philips - How did he get started in the music business? "I Walk the Line" - The story behind his first big hit. Million Dollar Quartet - The coming together of four of the superstars of the Fifties. "Ballad of a Teenage Queen" - Johnny continues to chart with another number one. Columbia Records - Why did Johnny switch from Sun to Columbia Records? Drugs and Alcohol - The two things that almost killed him. San Quentin Prison - Did Johnny Cash ever go to prison? His songs sound like he did. The Carter Family - The family that practically invented country music joins Johnny's group. "Ring of Fire" - Who really wrote this great country standard? "The Ballad of Ira Hayes" - Who was Ira Hayes? Johnny sang about the downtrodden and the mistreated. Jesse - Jesse was Johnny's camper and he used it to get in a whole lot of trouble. "Jackson" - A great duet of Johnny Cash and June Carter. June Carter Cash - The story of the woman who become Johnny's second wife and his soul mate. Hitting Bottom - How we came so close to losing Johnny Cash. Three Number Ones - Then everything turned around and he had three number ones in a row. Johnny Liked Prisons - Johnny liked to play before prisoners in various prisons. Richard Nixon and Billy Graham - Two very different people, but both friends of Johnny. The Man in Black - Does Johnny wear black all of the time and why does he? The Highwaymen - The country super group of the Eighties. In Decline - His career starts to decline. American Recordings - He gets a new label and a new lease on life. The Passing of a Legend - June and Johnny pass away within four months of each other. Legacy of Johnny Cash - Every Legends book has a Legacy section where we review the awards and contributions of the artist. Afterword - My closing thoughts. Selected Discography - A list of the major works by Johnny Cash.

Welcome to another in the Legends of Rock & Roll series.This is a mini-biography of one the greatest performers in the music world. This is the third of a series within a series covering the four members of, arguably, the greatest group in music history, The Beatles. This book is not about the Beatles. While I know that you can't write about George Harrison without considering the Beatles, the emphasis of this book is not the Beatles, but instead, the life and music of George Harrison as an individual and as a solo performer. In this particular volume, like before, I will discuss George's early life and his joining up with three other lads to create what is probably the greatest rock and roll group in the history of the world. But it all ended at one point and George had a solo career after the Beatles broke up that continued to his death in 2001.Come with me for a walk down memory lane as I review the life of George Harrison, and especially, the music that he produced. We'll visit each of his hits and find out how they came to be written or how they were recorded; and discuss any trivia that might be associated with the music. This book is about the man but even more importantly, it's about the music. This series is my way of honoring the people that have brought so much joy to our lives over the years.It is an unauthorized fan tribute.

10 Books in One! Legends of Rock & Roll is a series of small Kindle books each of which features a different artist from the rock & roll era. This book combines 10 artists who were popular or who started recording during the decade of the Seventies. The Seventies saw the beginning of hard rock and disco. During this decade, many famous performers got their start. In this third volume of the Legends of Rock & Roll - The Seventies, is combined mini-biographies of ten of the greatest artists of that decade. You will find the stories of: Bruce Springsteen The Eagles Elton John Fleetwood Mac Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five Rod Stewart Heart Aerosmith Donna Summer You can re-live a time when our country was changing and so was the music that we listened to. Come back, with me, to the Seventies.

Billy Joel is one of the very best performers and song writers of the past 40 years. He has published an enormous amount of work on record, CD and DVD. His music defines a generation. Billy Joel was born in 1949 and is still active today. Influenced by people like the Beatles and Dave Brubeck, he writes music which is understood by the common man. In this tribute to his life and music, I talk about the events which defined him as a person and as a musician. I also discuss most of the music which he has produced. You will learn everything you need to know about the life and music of Billy Joel. The Chapters include: IntroductionAs a YouthFirst GroupsCold Spring HarborSing Us a Song, You're the Piano ManStreetlife SerenadeTurnstiles and The Stranger52nd StreetEarly 1980'sThe Nylon CurtainChristie BrinkleyGreatest Hits, Volume 1 & 2RussiaThe River of DreamsGreatest Hits, Volume 3Movin' OutTouringPersonal ProblemsLegacyGrammy AwardsGrammy NominationsDiscographyStudio AlbumsLive AlbumsSinglesAfterword

"It's All About the Music!"Welcome to another in the Legends of Rock & Roll series.This is, like the others, a mini-biography of one the greatest of American performers and bands, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Come with me for a walk down memory lane as I review the life of Bruce Springsteen, and especially, the music that he produced. We'll visit each of his hits and find out how they came to be written or how they were recorded; and discuss any trivia that might be associated with the music. This book is about the man and the band, but even more importantly, it's about the music. This series is my way of honoring the people that have brought so much joy to our lives over the years.It is an unauthorized fan tribute.Bruce Springsteen has been writing and performing since the late Sixties. Starting out as most performers and song writers do by writing and playing wherever and whenever he could, he was the member of several bands before putting together what is, arguably, the best band in the business, The E Street Band.Success did not come immediately to Bruce Springsteen. The break though came in 1975 with a rocker called "Born to Run". From then on, everyone took Bruce seriously. The Chapters include: Introduction - My remembrances of Bruce Springsteen in general and a kick-off for the book.Early Life - A brief summary of his life before the music started.Making Music His Life - How did Bruce get started in the business?Asbury Park - This is where Bruce got his start.First Album - Was the first one a success? The second one?"Born to Run" - After this album, everyone took him seriously."Darkness on the Edge of Town" - He followed up with another classic."The River" - This was his first number one album, but certainly not his last."Born in the U.S.A." - The album that would truly make him a legend. How many singles did the album produce?Patti Scialfa - Love and marriage was not an easy road for Bruce."Live/1975-85" - The first box set in the history of the charts to debut at number one.Disbanding the E Street Band - Bruce goes it alone, at least for a little while.Bringing Them Back Together - In 1999, Bruce brought the E Street Band back together again and they did a Reunion tour.Politics - For the first time Bruce got behind a candidate for President: John Kerry.Supporting Barack Obama - Continuing his support of Democratic candidates, he is firmly behind Obama in 2008.E Street Band - a mini-tribute to the members of the band, both past and present.Legacy of Bruce Springsteen - Every Legends book has a Legacy section where we review the awards and contributions of the artist.Afterword - My closing thoughts.Grammy Awards - A list of the Grammy Awards won by Bruce and the Band.Discography - A list of the major albums and singles by Bruce Springsteen.

Elvis is a name that is as well known today as it was 36 years ago when he died. Why another book on Elvis? This book, like the other Legends of Rock & Roll books, is a labor of love for the author. Music has been a guiding factor in my life for the past 50 years and Elvis was a big part of that. I love sharing my feelings about the music and about the man. Elvis Presley was born dirt poor and through talent and shear will power, became a multi-millionaire and helped create a genre of music which still exists today. This book is about Elvis the man and Elvis the singer, but even more importantly, it's about the music. This series is my way of honoring the people that have brought so much joy to our lives over the years. Elvis defined the meaning of rock and roll for a generation.This is an unauthorized fan tribute.

Welcome to another in the Legends of Rock & Roll series.This is, like the others, a mini-biography of one the greatest of American bands, The Four Seasons. Come with me for a walk down memory lane as I review the life of the guys who made up the Four Seasons, and especially, the music that they produced. We'll visit each of their hits and find out how they came to be written or how they were recorded; and discuss any trivia that might be associated with the music. This book is about the group, but even more importantly, it's about the music. This series is my way of honoring the people that have brought so much joy to our lives over the years.It is an unauthorized fan tribute.The Four Seasons has been writing and performing since 1962. Under other names, they actually go back much further than that. They are true "Jersey Boys" and developed into one of the nations number one singing groups. The falsetto voice of Frankie Valli made the Four Seasons very distinctive. You only had to hear a few notes of one of their songs to know who you were listening to. The Chapters include: Introduction - Remarks about The Four Seasons in general and a kick-off for the book.Before The Four Seasons - a brief biography of each of the four original members of the group.The Road to the Four Seasons - Do you know what they were called before they were the Four Seasons. This chapter traces the early beginnings of the group.Starting to Gain Popularity - Not many performers have a number one with their first charting hit. Do you remember what it was?Three Number Ones - Not only was their first song a number one, but the next two major releases also went number one.The Demise of Vee-Jay Records - Their first record label went bankrupt and almost left the guys out in the cold."Rag Doll" - Do you know the story behind one of their biggest hits? It was their fourth number one."The Wonder Who" - Have you ever wondered who the Wonder Who were?Frankie Valli Goes Solo - Frankie wanted to sing songs that didn't always include the falsetto voice. So, he started a solo career.Tastes Change - The music world is changing all the time. The Four Seasons had difficulty keeping up.Frankie Has Medical Problems - What medical problems did Frankie Valli have that almost ended his career?"Who Loves You" - After seven years without a hit, they come blasting back with this big hit."Grease (is the Word)" - If you've seen the movie "Grease", then you know this song.The Four Seasons vs. The Beach Boys - Let's compare two of the greatest American bands of the Sixties and beyond."Jersey Boys" - Not many groups have a Broadway musical written just to tell their life story.Personnel Life - How many times has Frankie Valli been married? What about the other guys in the group.Legacy of The Four Seasons - Every Legends book has a Legacy section where we review the awards and contributions of the artist.Afterword - My closing thoughts.Discography - A list of the major works by The Four Seasons.

Connie Francis is the biggest selling female performer of them all. Having sold in excess of 100 million albums and who knows how many singles, she made her mark on the music of the Fifties and of the Sixties. This is the fourth in a series of tributes to the rock and roll legends of the Fifties.Find out little known facts about Connie's life and live through some of her sorrow. Just because you're a star, doesn't mean you can't have trails in your life. If you enjoy the music of the Fifties and Sixties and especially if you enjoy the music of Connie Francis, you'll appreciate this walk down memory lane spotlighting one of the great singers of American musical historyThe following chapters are included: IntroductionHer YouthBobby DarinThe Big BreakMamaGifted in LanguagesOn to the MoviesSignificant AlbumsThe Decline StartsDarknessMarriagesThe Sun Begins to Shine AgainLegacyDiscographyAlbumsSinglesAfterwor

"It's All About the Music!"Welcome to another in the Legends of Rock & Roll series.This is, like the others, a mini-biography of one the greatest performers in the music world. This time, I highlight a British performer who was 1/4 of the great group, The Beatles, John Lennon. However, this book is not about the Beatles. While I know that you can't write about John Lennon without considering the Beatles, the emphasis of this book is not the Beatles, but instead, the life and music of John Lennon. In this particular volume, I will discuss John's early life and his joining up with three other lads to create what is probably the greatest rock and roll group in the history of the world. But it all ended at one point and John had a solo career which came to a tragic end in 1980.Come with me for a walk down memory lane as I review the life of John Lennon, and especially, the music that he produced. We'll visit each of his hits and find out how they came to be written or how they were recorded; and discuss any trivia that might be associated with the music. This book is about the man but even more importantly, it's about the music. This series is my way of honoring the people that have brought so much joy to our lives over the years.It is an unauthorized fan tribute.The Chapters include: Introduction - A general introduction and a kick-off for the book.Growing Up - A brief summary of his life before the music started.The School Years - Attending school and going to college where he met his first wife.The Quarrymen - This was the group John created that evolved into the Beatles. Which member of the Beatles was not a Quarrymen?The Birth of the Beatles - The final steps that resulted in the Beatles.Personal Notes During This Period - Was John a romantic? How did he meet his first wife?"Help!" - Some notes behind a couple famous Beatles songs."More Popular Than Jesus" - Why did John make this remark that caused a furor across the United States?Maharishi Mahesh Yogi - The group gets into drugs and transcendental meditation.Yoko Ono - How did John meet the love of his life? Read two versions.John and Yoko -John's solo career actually began with Yoko before the Beatles broke up.Going Solo - The actual breakup and John's first solo records."Imagine" - Some thoughts about his most famous song.Trouble with the Law - Why would President Nixon try to deport John?Lost Weekend - Yoko left John for some 18 months. How he coped."Walls and Bridges" - John finally gets his own number one song.Paul, George & Ringo - What was John's relationship with the other guys after the breakup?Retirement for Awhile - Yoko is pregnant, so John retires from performing to stay home and care for his family for 5 years.December 8, 1980 - The fateful day. John is murdered by what is called a "crazed fan".The Days After - The aftermath of the killing.Legacy of John Lennon - Every Legends book has a Legacy section where we review the awards and contributions of the artist.Afterword - My closing thoughts.Selected Discography - A list of the major albums and singles by John Lennon.