"From Stardust to Stardom: The Epic Story of Nat King Cole's Life and Music" is a captivating exploration of the remarkable journey of one of music's most enduring icons. From his humble beginnings in the jazz clubs of Chicago to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Nat King Cole's life story is a testament to talent, perseverance, and the enduring power of music. This compelling biography takes readers on a fascinating ride through Nat King Cole's life, from his early struggles and triumphs to his meteoric rise to fame. Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, the book delves into the complexities of Cole's personal and professional life, offering a nuanced portrait of the man behind the music. But "From Stardust to Stardom" is more than just a biography—it's a celebration of Cole's incredible musical legacy. From his timeless classics like "Unforgettable" and "Mona Lisa" to his groundbreaking television show, Nat King Cole's influence on the world of music is undeniable. Through in-depth discussions of his most iconic songs and performances, readers gain a deeper appreciation for Cole's artistry and the impact he had on generations of musicians. Richly illustrated with rare photographs and memorabilia, "From Stardust to Stardom" brings Nat King Cole's story to life in vivid detail. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to his music, this book is sure to captivate and inspire, offering a fresh perspective on the life and music of a true legend. Join us on this epic journey through the life and music of Nat King Cole—a journey from stardust to stardom.

“Fans of live music will get a kick out of” this Texas Country Music Hall of Famer’s “fond but brutally honest memories, playing gigs with Willie Nelson” (Publishers Weekly). When it comes to Texas honky-tonk, nobody knows the music or the scene better than Johnny Bush. Author of Willie Nelson’s classic concert anthem “Whiskey River,” and singer of hits such as “You Gave Me a Mountain” and “I’ll Be There,” Johnny Bush is a legend in country music, a singer-songwriter who has lived the cheatin’, hurtin’, hard-drinkin’ life and recorded some of the most heart-wrenching songs about it. He has one of the purest honky-tonk voices ever to come out of Texas. And Bush’s career has been just as dramatic as his songs—on the verge of achieving superstardom in the early 1970s, he was sidelined by a rare vocal disorder. But survivor that he is, Bush is once again filling dance halls across Texas and inspiring a new generation of musicians. In Whiskey River (Take My Mind), Johnny Bush tells the twin stories of his life and of Texas honky-tonk music. He recalls growing up poor and learning his chops in honky-tonks around Houston and San Antonio. Bush vividly describes life on the road in the 1960s as a band member for Ray Price and Willie Nelson. Woven throughout Bush's autobiography is the never-before-told story of Texas honky-tonk music, from Bob Wills and Floyd Tillman to Junior Brown and Pat Green. For everyone who loves genuine country music, Johnny Bush, Willie Nelson, and stories of triumph against all odds, Whiskey River (Take My Mind) is a must-read.

The singer shares her tale of triumph over drugs, depression, divorce, and all the worst celebrity can bring.

Based on interviews with family members, colleagues, lovers, and the previously silent William Burroughs, this unsparing yet evenhanded biography guides the reader through the many personas, crises, and musical metamorphoses of David Bowie—also known as Davy Jones, the Laughing Gnome, Major Tom, Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, the Thin White Duke, a drug-addled grandfather of punk, actor, art aficionado, political activist, one of rock's most resonant icons, and a totem of modern pop culture. Nowhere else is the man and musician so convincingly deconstructed and so compellingly humanized.

David Bowie's career as a pioneering artist spanned nearly 50 years and brought him international acclaim. He continues to be cited as a major influence on contemporary artists and designers working across the creative arts. This book, published to accompany the blockbuster international exhibition launched at London's Victoria and Albert Museum, is the only volume that grants access to Bowie's personal archive of performance costumes, ephemera, and original design artwork by the artist, bringing it together to present a completely new perspective on his creative work and collaborations. The book traces his career from its beginnings in London, through the breakthroughs of Space Oddity and The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, and on to his enormous impact on 20th-century avant-garde music and art. Essays by V&A curators on Bowie's London, image, and influence on the fashion world are complemented by Howard Goodall on musicology; Camille Paglia on gender and decadence, and Jon Savage on Bowie's relationship with William Burroughs and his fans. The more than 300 color illustrations include personal and performance photographs, album covers, costumes, original lyric sheets, and much more. Praise for David Bowie Is "Perusing David Bowie Is (V&A Publishing, distributed by Abrams), the exhibition's catalog, with its procession of poses and costumes and weighty essays tracking the cross-references to pop culture and high art, you get a sense of how much hard work it took to be Mr. Bowie." --The New York Times "The fans of 50 years or those making discoveries in retrospect will be intrigued by the accompanying book David Bowie Is that is far more than a fanzine."--The New York Times "Lends context and picks away at Bowie with such insight that it's a rare hagiography with soul." --Chicago Tribune "Combining top-notch articles on the singer/actor's life and work with official images and reproductions of his fashion and associated ephemera, the hefty, mango-colored book is nothing short of a treasure trove of all things Bowie; a one-stop smorgasbord for the eyes whose pictorials chronicle the groundbreaking star from Ziggy Stardust to Thin White Duke to Heathen and every personality in between." --Examiner.com

Play It Loud celebrates the musical instruments that gave rock and roll its signature sound. Seven engrossing essays by veteran music journalists and scholars discuss the technical developments that fostered rock’s seductive riffs and driving rhythms; the evolution of the classic lineup of two guitars, bass, and drums; the thrilling innovations and expanded instrumentation musicians have explored to achieve unique effects; the powerful visual impact instruments have had; and the essential role they have played in the most memorable moments of rock and roll history. Abundant photographs depict rock’s most iconic instruments—including Jerry Lee Lewis’s baby grand piano, Chuck Berry’s Gibson ES-350T guitar, John Lennon’s twelve-string Rickenbacker 325, Keith Moon’s drum set, and the white Stratocaster Jimi Hendrix played at Woodstock—both in performance and as works of art in their own right. Produced in collaboration with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this astounding book goes behind the music to offer a rare, in-depth look at the instruments that inspired the musicians and made possible the songs we know and love.

American Music: An Introduction, Second Edition is a collection of seventeen essays surveying major African American musical genres, both sacred and secular, from slavery to the present. With contributions by leading scholars in the field, the work brings together analyses of African American music based on ethnographic fieldwork, which privileges the voices of the music-makers themselves, woven into a richly textured mosaic of history and culture. At the same time, it incorporates musical treatments that bring clarity to the structural, melodic, and rhythmic characteristics that both distinguish and unify African American music. The second edition has been substantially revised and updated, and includes new essays on African and African American musical continuities, African-derived instrument construction and performance practice, techno, and quartet traditions. Musical transcriptions, photographs, illustrations, and a new audio CD bring the music to life.

A concise yet comprehensive account of the origins and evolution of rock music, emphasizing its interaction with social change and cultural trends. The narrative begins with ``the birth of the blues'' and proceeds to discuss the major (and mention the minor) performers and to identify the significant styles. These include Fifties rockabilly, folk/protest, the British Invasion, acid rock, punk/New Wave, and Eighties revivalism. Using a lively, anecdotal approach and pertinent quotes, the author examines the appropriate political, economic, technological, or psychological context of each topic, e.g., the relationship between Dylan's music and JFK's New Frontier. A primary focus throughout is on the contributions of blacks and the role of racism. Paul Feehan, Univ. of Miami Lib., Coral Gables, Fla. - Library Journal.