The Black Elvis: Jackie Wilson... [Hardcover]

Doug Carter (Author, Foreword)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 259 pages
• Publisher: Heyday Publishing, Inc.; First edition. edition (December 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966942507
• ISBN-13: 978-0966942507
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,978 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I FELT THE FACTS WERE VERY RELIABLE UNLIKE OTHER BIOS, November 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Black Elvis: Jackie Wilson... (Hardcover)

THE BLACK ELVIS-JACKIE WILSON'takes a look at the life of a man Elvis Presley often referred to as an inspiration. Carter chronicles Wilson's career from when he first sang gospel as a boy to his jam packed performances as a rhythm-and-blues singer. his presence was magnetic-both men and women admit to being hypnotized by the passion he threw into his songs. The book reads not so much like a story, but as a series of anecdotes that paint a picture of a talented man trapped in a corrupt system not geared toward rewarding him fairly for his efforts. Much of Wilson's demise came from his love of alcohol,drugs and women.He was once shot by a spurned lover, and was married to two women at the same time. This book contains 20 pages of photos-great glimpses of Mr. Excitement. "The Black Elvis-Jackie Wilson" is a purposeful book; Carter clearly had an intrest in preserving the history behind Jackie Wilson's contributions to the music industry,the types of occurances we prefer to ignore in favor of just boping along to the music. That Jackie Wilson is not a household name like Elvis,and Michael Jackson is a Rock and Roll tragedy! Doug Carter's book is a labor of love and was written to be as factual as possisable.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Vibrant Mystery, December 23, 2000

By 

Linda A. Parker (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Black Elvis: Jackie Wilson... (Hardcover)

For me, reading this book was the discovery of a lost gem. Jackie Wilson has a voice like no other and a story like no other. The book, Black Elvis, parellels Jackie's life to another contemporary of his, Elvis Presley. Elvis came to many of Jackie's shows and they had intimate ties throughout their lives. Doug Carter treats his subject with great respect, careful that no fabrication exists on these pages. But Jackie is a complex man, so we learn many perspectives of the same man from wives, friends, colleagues, and adoring -- even violently so -- fans. His music, already so great, becomes even more vibrant and alive after reading this thorough and careful biography.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Caught In A (Rat's) Trap!!, April 9, 2002

By 

Mark Gaston (Oxnard, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Black Elvis: Jackie Wilson... (Hardcover)

Author Doug Carter throws everything but the kitchen sink at you in this detailed account of the late, great Jackie Wilson. Carter navigates the reader through Jackie's youth
activities - ranging from street corner singing to Gold Gloves boxing champion - his first contract (with Billy Ward and The
Dominoes), his solo career with Brunswick and Nat Tarnopol, the failed marriages and endless affairs. Of the latter, one affair led to a shooting incident which nearly killed Jackie, while another led to the killing of Jackie's lady friend.

The author carefully recounts the story of a man who mixed too much play with work, too much escapism with his sorrow and too much naivete with trust. It was Wilson's naivete which led to his split with Barry Gordy. His trust in Nat Tarnopol would lead to eventual professional and personal decline.

Wilson is too frequently associated with the tragic onstage heart attack which ultimately left him comatose for 81/2 years. Likewise, his musical legacy should exceed the endless renditions of "Higher And Higher" and "Lonely Teardrops".

Wilson should be remembered for being one of music's true pioneers, the likes of which are a dying breed. Musicians like Aretha, Elvis, Van Morrison, Smokey,
Marvin Gaye, Springsteen, Pendergrass, and LaBelle have Jackie to thank for his stage presence, soaring vocal gymnastics, and crowd integration. Thanks to an author like
Doug Carter, Jackie's musical contribution is introduced (and reiterated) to legions of music fans everywhere. Must Read material!!