From Library Journal
In his native America, Cochran (1938-60) is remembered primarily for his hit "Summertime Blues." Yet England rightfully regards Cochran as one of rock'n'roll's most important pioneers. It is therefore not surprising that two Brits, freelance writer Mundy and musician/producer Higham, penned this first-ever Cochran biography, published in England last year. They respectfully recount Cochran's brief career, aided by interviews with many of the guitarist's closest associates. By all accounts, Cochran was a pleasant, friendly, and talented guy, and, in a perverse way, that is part of the problem with this portrait. The lack of drug addictions, family dysfunctions, and sexual promiscuities, which are so often the raison d'?tre for many rock biographies, makes for pretty dry reading. The book only really takes off in the final section, in which Mundy and Higham deftly capture the excitement Cochran and Gene Vincent generated during their wildly successful 1960 British tour, which ended tragically when Cochran was killed in a car accident. While this book fills an important gap in rock music literature, its limited appeal means smaller libraries may pass. Lloyd Jansen, Stockton-San Joaquin Cty. P.L.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"'Eddie Cochran had the whole package. He was a songwriter, he was a guitar player - boy, was he one of the first guitar players - and he had a natural voice that just rocked, plus he was good-looking but cool too. When I first heard "Somethin' Else" it blew my socks off? It was the hardest rockin' song that I still think I have ever heard. And hard rock doesn't just have to be your guitar turned up to eleven, it's the attitude.' Brian Setzer 'Unless you were lucky enough to know him and be able to sit backstage in his dressing-room when he would pick up his guitar and play what he felt, you never got to hear Eddie Cochran really play the guitar. People are so amazed by what they've heard on record. If you could have heard him, it was a million times better than anything they ever got on record. He was phenomenally talented. It was mind-boggling how a boy that young could play like he did.' Sharon Sheely"