Bob Gibson - I Come For To Sing [Paperback]

Carole Bender (Author), Bob Gibson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1999

The life of Bob Gibson, the unsung father of commercially popular folk music, whose influence is still being felt in today's music, is celebrated in "Bob Gibson: I Come For To Sing", by Carole Bender and Bob Gibson. Included with the book is Bob Gibson's CD "Stops Along the Way".

The book is autobiographical as much as possible, but his importance to his contemporaries is emphasized by original contributions by such legends as Shel Silverstein, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Peter Yarrow, Tom Paxton, Hamilton Camp, Gordon Lightfoot, Glenn Yarbrough, George Carlin and many others.

Bob Gibson is largely responsible for the revival of folk music in the late 50s and early 60s, as well as its elevation to a more widely-accepted popularity througout the country. In addition to his own musical contributions, Bob also wrote or co-wrote many of the more popular folk songs of the era, some of which were recorded by Peter, Paul & Mary, Simon & Garfunkel, The Byrds, and many others. His influence, his music, and his impeccable mastering of the 12-string guitar influenced an entire generation of performers.

This book is a tribute to Gibson's contribution to music, as well as a heartfelt tribute to the man himself, exploring his life and his career, the triumphs as well as the trials, including a dark look into his battle with drug addiction. Additional features include the most comprehensive Bob Gibson discography ever compiled, Gibson's complete song-writing textbook, the script of his play, "The Courtship of Carl Sandburg", numerous photos and illustrations, and of course, the CD "Stops Along the Way."

Proceeds from the sale of this book through this website go to the Bob Gibson Trust.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Bob Gibson, a singer, banjo player and 12-string guitar player, was an influential figure in the folk music revival of the mid-1950s and 1960s, a period that is sometimes now referred to by cynics as the Great Folk Scare.

Bender is more than a true and loyal fan, she is an acolyte. She can be forgiven if she slightly oversells Gibson's place in the folk music pantheon. The book is not for everybody, obviously. But for those who fondly remember the Great Folk Scare - and there are more of you out there than care to admit it - it is worthwhile and an engaging read. -- The Tulsa World, David Averill

Bob would be proud and happy. The songwriting manual could be in itself a book. Seriously! It's good and it's brief. -- Pete Seeger

I'm so glad to hear my dad's voice again, and I do hear it. Carole has done such a fabulous job of capturing his speech. He sounds like he's well again. Carole's offer was what he wanted and needed. Carole has not only gotten his story, she got his cadence. And I think he knew she would. -- Meridian Green, Bob's Oldest Daughter

From the Author

There was a part of this man that made him great. This is the part of his personality I choose to talk about. Even those who experienced the lowest times with Bob seem to recognize that he was special in some way. The Bob Gibson I first came to know and the one to whom I longed to pay tribute is the one who gave the world a gift of his music. He left us all a wonderful gift. If he had a troubled personal life, it doesn't alter that gift. He presented us with ourselves in song. For that gift I choose to pay him homage.

I come before you with no claims of being the world's foremost authority on either Bob Gibson or folk music history. I come simply as someone who cared enough to assemble the parts of a story that longed to be told.

If you will listen, I'm sure you will hear America singing. Carole Bender

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 410 pages
• Publisher: Kingston Korner; 1st edition (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0961459417
• ISBN-13: 978-0961459413
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,257,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "No! Not the Baseball Pitcher!", March 13, 2000

By 

Steve Clayberg (Hollywood, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bob Gibson - I Come For To Sing (Paperback)

My intent here is to convince as many as possible to read this biographical book about someone of whom they probably have never heard.

There is certainly nothing simple about my endeavor, just as there is nothing simple about the subject. He was far more than just a folk singer. He had as much charisma as Elvis, as much innovative talent as Chuck Berry, as much potential as Buddy Holly, and as phenomenal as it sounds, somehow managed to stay hidden in the shadows. He never achieved any wide spread general recognition.

The author recognized the importance of her subject's contributions, the scope of his talent, the scale of his influence, and with probing tenacity shone her light into those shadows, so we the reader might discover a true American troubadour, Bob Gibson.

The book paints the picture of an artist who reached the zenith of his profession, a world class entertainer, a man who literally changed forever the entire genre of folk music. To paint this portrait the author delineates the man in the shadows with the words and stories of his friends, fans, family and of course the musicians, singers, and songwriters of the 50s and 60s whom Bob Gibson affected.

Only after you read the book will you understand why she chose to tell the story in this manner. Simply put, of the many talents Bob possessed, his most amazing attribute was the positive manner in which he affected virtually everyone whose life he touched. The dichotomy was he still somehow managed, in his own enigmatic way, to remain virtually unknown.

Without this book, Bob Gibson, might never have received his final encore, one he richly deserves and one we readers can be thankful that the author provided. The amount of effort it took to compile this heretofore "untold story," could only have been powered by the energy derived from working on a true, "labor-of-love."

Like the dichotomy that was Bob Gibson's life, this book will make you happy and sad. Sad that you weren't aware of him earlier, and happy that the author persevered in her quest to illuminate and thus honor this dynamic individual. This book is Bob Gibson's last spotlight.

P.S. Better than apple pie the book comes a la mode. Tucked neatly into the inside back cover of the book there is a full length compilation CD of some of Bob's best known music and songs. Get it and enjoy the story and music of a little known legend.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read with a bonus!, January 13, 2000

By 

Kim Dunning (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bob Gibson - I Come For To Sing (Paperback)

This was a very interesting book for me. I didn't know much about Bob Gibson, had heard some songs but hadn't really paid much attention to them. I found the book to be well written and most importantly, to me, it made me wish that I had been more aware of Bob Gibson's music. The book makes you feel like you knew him and that you cared about him. The CD has some great songs and it is especially interesting to listen to it while reading the book. I think everyone should own a copy of this book!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally Someone Tells Bob's Story!, January 13, 2000

By 

Ron Pratt (Fremont, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bob Gibson - I Come For To Sing (Paperback)

I have to say I am SO happy to see someone tell Bob's story and bring to life the credibility and praise that he so righteously earned. Having been a loyal fan of folk music since it's early days, I have known how much influence he has had on the evolution of folk music throughout the sixties, seventies, and even today. Yet I have been consistently amazed at how many people are not aware of this. We hear all about Peter, Paul & Mary, Joan Baez, and other household names, but Bob's name goes largely unrecognized, even though he personally influenced all of these people...a fact which is frequently made evident by the many contributions to this book by other artists. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone with an appreciation of folk music, whether you know of Bob Gibson or not, you will wonder why someone didnt write this book sooner.