I Wish You Love: A Memoir [Hardcover]

Gloria Lynne (Author), Karen Chilton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2000

Born and raised in Harlem, Gloria Lynne lied about her age and won the Apollo Theater Amateur Hour at fifteen...I Wish You Love is the inspiring story of a courageous woman overcoming terrible adversities- a story of triumph over tragedy, of heart breaking and heart mending. It is also an important piece of American history, a first-hand account of the black music experience during the second half of the twentieth century/

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Jazz singer Lynne has produced, with the help of writer Chilton, a work that is as much a valediction to the figures of her past as it is an account of her own life. From her early performances in the jazz clubs of Greenwich Village to her struggles to stay on the charts in the era of disco, Lynne narrates her own story of the black music experience. Full of gossip, exclamation and vernacular, it's a book that demands to be read aloud. Every chapter is packed with star-studded anecdotes and Lynne's unflappable sense of humor: Ray Charles trying to copilot his private plane ("those blind folks are something else"); new Muslim convert Muhammad Ali unable to turn down a barbecue pork dinner ("seems to me your mama fed you pork, and that's how you became champion of the world"); spending an evening with Frank Sinatra's thugs after a misunderstanding ("I never did tell that I had pissed in my pants too"). In a lyrical preface that contrasts starkly with the garrulous text that follows, the book's message is simply stated: "to understand the rhythm of [Harlem], the style and flavor of it, you just watch the people." This is a moving tribute to the crucible of Harlem jazz. (Feb..--, the style and flavor of it, you just watch the people." This is a moving tribute to the crucible of Harlem jazz. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

When Lynne was growing up in Harlem in the 1930s and 1940s, she compensated for a bleak domestic life of poverty and abuse by absorbing everything she could of the city's vibrant night life. At 15 she won first prize at the Apollo Theater's Amateur Night; soon, she was on her way to becoming the heir apparent to Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, and Dinah Washington. But along with success in nightclubs and recordings came rocky personal relationships and the type of tangled financial dealings that plagued so many performers of the era. In fact, at the time of her biggest hit, "I Wish You Love," she was working as a license clerk in Bergen County, NJ. While Lynne's name may not trigger the recognition of some of her contemporaries, her story is an inspiring one that provides a victim's insightful view into the routine exploitation of artists by a corrupt system. For comprehensive collections.
-Dan Bogey, Clearfield Cty. P.L. Federation, Curwensville, PA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Forge; 1st Edition, 1st Printing edition (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312870310
• ISBN-13: 978-0312870317
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,162,312 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS A MUST READ!, February 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: I Wish You Love: A Memoir (Hardcover)

This book is great - from the beginning to the end, it will keep your interest. It's very well written & the story of Gloria Lynne is unbelievable. This is a must read!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars warm salad blues, December 30, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: I Wish You Love: A Memoir (Hardcover)

I approached this book with enthusiasm, only to fall at the first chapter. Uninspired writing and clumsy dialogue lead to a very unsatisfying read. In truth, I had to put the book down on several occasions, however I did persevere to the end. Unfortunately this book gave me the Warm Salad Blues.
Only one star for effort.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For All You Jazz Lovers--PICK IT UP!, May 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: I Wish You Love: A Memoir (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was just great. I'm telling everybody I know. If you're a Gloria Lynne fan, a jazz fan, a music lover or just a lover of good books--this one's for you. Pick it up!