Customer Reviews

The Black Elvis: Jackie Wilson...

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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!!

this book definatley get`s 5star`s it`s very informative and has beautiful discography pictures (for those of us who collect jackie`s albums) and great concert photo`s and arare photo of jackie leaving the hospital after being shot(with his mother and freda by his side .the only thing i din`t care for was the interjected bio on elvis ,why is there never a mention of JACKIE in elvis~ books in reality he`s "THE WHITE JACKIE"
over
all a very good preview to "THE MAN,THE MUSIC,THE MOB...

this was Michael Jackson before Michael Jackson.A Man who could do it all.had his own style,grace&way of doing things.it's a shame he never got the Love he deserved.he was a Pioneer.he could reach so many different styles of music and wrap them all into one.this book also shows how he got caught up in excess Sex,Drugs&Rock-N-Roll.but also the Racist Music Business.I'm a Big Michael Jackson Fan but I know where he got his foundation.not only from James Brown but also Jackie Wilson.Doug Carter does a Grand job here.in a fair world Jackie would have held a title.he was a one of a kind Artist.

I can see Doug Carter is a fan. He has all the LPs. The problem is he's not a writer. A small book to begin with, Carter jumps from item to item without the least development, often repeating himself, never clarifying.
He doesn't delve into the music at all; he doesn't shed light on anything that has made Jackie such an enchanting mystery to this day. "Inteviews" with people who knew Jackie all sound monosyllabically the same.
I'm from Detroit, yet I saw Jackie only once. He means an awful lot to me. "Lonely Teardrops" is out of print so, despite the title (I find nothing in common between Jackie and Elvis), I thought I'd try Carter's book.
Now I've gone back and found "Teardrops" has just "limited availability." I'm trying to get it now...

there is really nothing out there on the life of Jackie Wilson. this book was fascinating and hard to put down. My 15 year old has started reading it.

as a fan of both elvis presley and jackie wilson i find the writers reveiw offensive.obviously the reveiwer has a racial hangup and it is clear they don't like elvis and have never read any books about elvis. from the first bio of elvis written in 1970 by jerry hopkins of rolling stoneto countless others written since allthe way to peter geralnicks last train to memphis and careless love, there are endless references to jackie wilson throughout these elvis bios. james brown once said that prior to elvis most black males sang mostly in groups not solo, after elvis success the number of black solo artists escalated and as he put it , we were all a bunch of black elvis'.elvis and jackie mutually loved each others work so we should do the same and respect them both. READERS ARE LEADERS>

Doug Saint Carter has opened a storyline that is shouting for the world to see and read. I found his attention to historical detail well developed, as you were able to get a real feel for Jackie's life without the creative spin that many writers use on a biopic. Doug has indeed the passion for his subject matter.
The book takes you on a lifeline express journey that starts with the innocence of creativity to the decadence of excess of succuss.
If Ray Charles' life was worthy as a movie, Jackie's should be equally or more facinating. The Black heritage of what Jackie Wilson meant, not only his people, but to the world, needs to be remembered. I found the rare pictures a treasure and the inner workings of the music business extraordinary insight into what was the substance of one of the worlds greatest, yet misunderstood, entertainers. There is an old saying that nothing kills our American idols faster than the drug of success. You will see and feel the comparison between the King of Rock and Roll and the " Black Elvis," Jackie Wilson in this wonderful piece of pop music culture. Great job Doug!

The Book gave a good insight into the life of a wonderful singer and entertainer. I took the time to read it thoroughly. The only thing I didn't like were the pictures that were so black you could not make out Jackie during the performances at all. They were not good pictures at all.
Other than that, the book is well worth reading.

I hope some day someone will put on a documentary of his life and music like they did for Sam Cooke and others. To this day we have not seen one singer come along since, with the talent that Jackie Wilson had.

Ros