New Releases by David Ritz

My friend Oprah Winfrey, on her TV show, has called me "the funniest man on the planet." That was kind of embarrassing--but if Oprah wants to think I''m funny, who am I to argue? My mother says I''m brilliant. Well, I am her son, so she might not be objective--but since she knows me better than anyone, it must be true. Don''t ask me. All I can say for sure is that I''m a 6''5" black comedian with red hair and a high butt who has walked a mile in every man''s shoes. What I mean is, I''ve lived large and fallen hard--lost every job I''ve ever had, messed up everybody I''ve ever dated, been kicked out of every institution I''ve ever been in, including marriage--and I''ve survived. That''s how I know everything. Why, you could steal five or six books and not find as much help as I will give you. Don''t act like you don''t need my help. I know your life is jacked up--hanging around the bookstore, all by yourself. It''s sad. You''re probably one of those lookey-loos too, browsing the book for free, should I buy it, should I not? Hasn''t indecision ruled your life long enough? Take a stand and buy it. But do me a favor: Until I''ve had the chance to get your life in order, please pay cash. I''d hate to have to call the repo man on you.

From the rural poverty of the Mississippi Delta to his celebrated position as the world''s leading blues artist, B.B. King has led a remarkable life. In this riveting autobiography--co-written by the co-author of critically acclaimed biographies of Marvin Gaye, Etta James, and Ray Charles--the fabled blues pioneer tells his unforgettable story: a soulful account of a brilliant guitar/singer narrating the growth of the blues and the explosion of rock and roll. of photos.

Atlantic Records partner and producer, Wexler presided over the evolution of the modern music business and made prodigious contributions through to our cultural history. Wexler has worked with the entire range of American genius: Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and others. 75 photographs.

Traces the life and career of the popular singer, describes his difficult childhood, and assesses his impact on popular music

Three generations of passionate and driven women struggle to achieve show business fame, personal fortune and romantic love satisfaction.

From Miami Beach to Hollywood, from Las Vegas to Rome, from Wall Street to the mean streets of Detroit and Chicago, Family Blood is about the underside of the big-money music scene as three tempestuous generations of an American family struggle to control the nation''s hottest performers and their acts.

Three decades ago, Smokey Robinson burst onto the music scene. And in this candid and powerful autobiography, Smokey reveals the fabulous highs and lows of his musical career. . . . As easy to read as a Smokey Robinson song is to hear --Booklist.

The determination of two childhood sweethearts, Gabriella Lotta and Marco Pucenza, to become a successful screenwriter and actor, respectively, threatens to destroy their relationship

Co-fondateur et guitariste d’Aerosmith, Joe Perry raconte ici sa vie et sa carrière dans le rock and roll, de son enfance dans les bois du Massachusetts aux stades du monde entier, en passant par les hauts et les bas d’un des plus grands groupes américains. Rocks est un livre qui contient plusieurs histoires en une. Comme il le dit lui-même, c’est « l’histoire d’un solitaire, l’histoire d’un groupe culte, l’histoire d’une guérison, une histoire d’amour, mais aussi une histoire de succès, d’échec, de renaissance, et de reconstruction. » « Un tour de montagnes russes à travers la carrière de l’un des plus grands guitaristes du rock and roll. Accrochez-vous ! » – Slash. « Rockin’Joe Perry balance tout ! » – Jimmy Page. « Joe Perry maîtrisait déjà son art avant la naissance de certains d’entre vous. Il a tout vu, tout fait. C’est le guitar hero d’un groupe qui a toujours fait les choses à sa façon. Joe n’a jamais aimé les paillettes de Hollywood. Il n’a jamais regardé derrière lui pour voir qui le talonnait. Gentleman du rock, Joe trône au sommet du rock and roll. Avouez-le : vous êtes jaloux. Quand je serai grand, je voudrais être Joe Perry. » – Gene Simmons.

Narrado em primeira pessoa, num relato feito ao jornalista David Ritz, o livro garante a quem lê a intimidade de uma confidência do mais importante bluesman da atualidade. Relata a infância pobre e o pai ausente, a grande ligação com a mãe e a avó, o preconceito racial, a precocidade do sexo em sua vida e a paixão pelas mulheres. Também estão no livro revelações sobre o início da carreira e a amizade com artistas consagrados. A edição conta ainda com um caderno fotográfico, com imagens da família, da juventude do astro, fotos junto a outras personalidades e de turnês. Mais que um simples relato biográfico, uma parte da história do blues.