Only the Strong Survive: Memoirs of a Soul Survivor (Black Music and Expressive Culture) (Black Music and Expressive Culture S.) - Hardcover

Butler, Jerry; Smith, Earl

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0253337968 ISBN 13: 9780253337962

Publisher: Indiana University Press, 2000

Synopsis

Jerry Butler's "Only the Strong Survive: Memoirs of a Soul Survivor" not only presents an incisive portrait of a remarkable career, but an up close and personal look at the world of rhythm and blues from the perspective of an insider. Filled with intimate anecdotes about such R&B legends as Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield, Patti LaBelle, Sam Cook, and Dionne Warwick, Butler's compelling, sometimes hilarious, narrative is told against the backdrop of 1960s America."Only the Strong Survive", as told to Earl Smith, no doubt will be classified as autobiography. But it is more than that. It is history - to some, it's oral history for the way Butler unfolds his narrative. Drawing upon countless conversations and interviews with Butler and others, Smith chronicles the 'Iceman's' journey from rural Mississippi to Chicago and the founding and eventual breakup of the legendary Impressions vocal group. Currently serving his fourth term as a commissioner on the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Butler also gives us a glimpse inside the world of Chicago politics. Butler shares stories about Harold Washington, Chicago's first African-American mayor, and others, including Nation of Islam leader, Minister Louis Farrakhan. "Only the Strong Survive" is a riveting, moving chronicle of one of America's music pioneers.

About this title

Review:

"Beginning as a member of the Impressions in Chicago in 1958, Butler (b. 1939) launched a vocal career that has lasted into the 21st century. This autobiography details his growing up in poverty and his initial musical successes and ends with his foray into politics with his election to the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 1985 and his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. Along the way Butler supplies considerable information on various managers and recording companies, especially Vee Jay Records, Mercury Records, and later Motown. The author concentrates not on private lives but on musical careers--his own and those of numerous others, e.g., Curtis Mayfield, Little Willie John, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Patti LaBelle. His behind-the-scenes look at race relations within the music industry during the last half of the century supplements and chronologically expands Robert Pruter's discussion in Doowop: The Chicago Scene (CH, Nov'96) and Chicago Soul (CH, May'91). Selected illustrations, discography, brief notes, and bibliography are helpful. Highly recommended for academic and general readers alike with an interest in popular music. All levels." --R. D. Cohen, Indiana University Northwest, Choice, March 2001

About the Author:

An award-winning performer, producer, and composer, and one of the architects of Rhythm-and-Blues, Jerry "The Iceman" Butler has enjoyed a musical career spanning more than 40 years that produced over 50 albums, numerous hit songs, and three Grammy Award nominations. Butler is now in his fifth term as a Cook County Commissioner in Chicago, Illinois. Earl Smith, a veteran journalist and Chicago resident, has worked for the Associated Press, Jet magazine, and the Chicago Defender. He is also the founder and editor of Today's Traveler magazine.

About this edition

• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0253337968
• ISBN 13: 9780253337962
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 288