Only the Strong Survive: Memoirs of a Soul Survivor (Black Music and Expressive Culture) [Hardcover]

Jerry Butler (Author), Earl Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 22, 2000 | Series: Black Music and Expressive Culture

Jerry Butler's Only the Strong Survive presents a portrait of a remarkable performer, as well as an up-close and personal look at the world of rhythm-and-blues. Filled with intimate anecdotes about such R&B legends as Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield, Patti LaBelle, Sam Cook, and Dionne Warwick, Butler's compelling, sometimes hilarious, narrative is told against the backdrop of 1960s America. Only the Strong Survive, as told to Earl Smith, is an autobiography; but more than that, it is history. Drawing on countless conversations and interviews with Butler and others, Smith chronicles the "Iceman's" journey from rural Mississippi to Chicago, and the founding and eventual breakup of the legendary Impressions vocal group.

Currently serving his fourth term on the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Butler also gives us a glimpse inside the world of Chicago politics. He shares stories of Harold Washington, Chicago's first African American mayor, and others, including Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.

Only the Strong Survive is an entertaining, moving chronicle of one of America's music pioneers.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Butler and Curtis Mayfield were the original guiding lights of the Impressions, the revered Chicago soul music group. Butler left after the record company billed "For Your Precious Love" as performed by "The Impressions featuring Jerry Butler," which was perceived as a slap at the other Impressions. Butler-less, the group achieved soul immortality, while he had a successful career as a singer, distributor of imported beer, and "a survivor." His consciousness raised by the '60s civil rights movement, Butler teamed with "Sound of Philadelphia" progenitors Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff to produce such socially conscious songs as "Only the Strong Survive." He also entered politics and at this writing is serving a fourth term as a Cook County (Illinois) commissioner. His political experience enables him to lend insight on the confluence of pop music and urban politics, and he recounts anecdotes from both those fertile fields of Chicagoan endeavor. Replete with thumbnail sketches of personalities including the colorful likes of Moms Mabley and Screamin' Jay Hawkins, this is a valuable African American cultural resource. Mike Tribby
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Beginning as a member of the Impressions in Chicago in 1958, Butler (b. 1939) launched a vocal career that has lasted into the 21st century. This autobiography details his growing up in poverty and his initial musical successes and ends with his foray into politics with his election to the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 1985 and his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. Along the way Butler supplies considerable information on various managers and recording companies, especially Vee Jay Records, Mercury Records, and later Motown. The author concentrates not on private lives but on musical careers—his own and those of numerous others, e.g., Curtis Mayfield, Little Willie John, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Patti LaBelle. His behind-the-scenes look at race relations within the music industry during the last half of the century supplements and chronologically expands Robert Pruter's discussion in Doowop: The Chicago Scene (CH, Nov'96) and Chicago Soul (CH, May'91). Selected illustrations, discography, brief notes, and bibliography are helpful. Highly recommended for academic and general readers alike with an interest in popular music. All levels." —R. D. Cohen, Indiana University Northwest, Choice, March 2001

(R. D. Cohen, Indiana University Northwest Choice 2001)

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press; First Edition edition (October 22, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253337968
• ISBN-13: 978-0253337962
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #172,844 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS BOOK WILL BE A COLLECTOR'S ITEM, November 11, 2000

By 

Ann Jarrett "A Novel Reader" (BLUE ISLAND, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Only the Strong Survive: Memoirs of a Soul Survivor (Black Music and Expressive Culture) (Hardcover)

A MUST READ ESPECIALLY FOR DUSTY RECORD FANS. MR. BUTLER IS CLASSY AND ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMERS BACK FROM THE 60'S, A TRUE PROFESSIONAL. I STARTED READING THE BOOK AND COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. TRUST ME THIS BOOK WILL NOT BORE YOU, WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT IS JERRY AND EARL ADD A TOUCH OF HUMOR TO JUST ABOUT EVERY CHAPTER. THIS BOOK IS A KEEPSAKE. JERRY ALSO HAS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VOICES I HAVE EVER HEARD, DID YOU KNOW THAT HE WAS THE LEAD SINGER OF THE IMPRESSIONS AT ONE TIME AND HE LED ON THE SONG "FOR YOUR PRECIOUS LOVE" I AM A LIBRARIAN, AND I CONSTANTLY REVIEW AND PREVIEW BOOKS AND THIS IS A WINNER. AS JERRY SINGS IN ONE OF HIS SONGS "I'M A TELLING YOU".

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Survivor, October 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Only the Strong Survive: Memoirs of a Soul Survivor (Black Music and Expressive Culture) (Hardcover)

Jerry Butler's book tells an important--and fun--story about his history as the one great rnb singers. Did you know he co-wrote I've Been Loving You Too Long, with Otis Redding. Butler also worked with Curtis Mayfield, who produced and wrote for him. His composition "Brand New Me," has been covered by countless artists from Dusty Springfield to Phoebe Snow. Don't just get the book--pick up his greatest hits too.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than a book about rhythm and blues music, January 9, 2001

By 

Donald Mason (Evanston, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Only the Strong Survive: Memoirs of a Soul Survivor (Black Music and Expressive Culture) (Hardcover)

A friend of mine gave me "Only the Strong Survive" as a Christmas gift, and now I treasure it as one of the best gifts I've ever received.

This is more than a book about music--although eighty percent of it is. It is a history book, political book, inspirational book -- you name it! One would never think that a rhythm and blues singer had that much depth. For example, Mr. Butler uses the tragic case of his former bongo player to show the horrors of the war in Vietnam. Then, turning to politics, he reminds us of the debt we owe the late Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, and what all of us can do to make this world a better place. It is at once inspirational and entertaining, thought-provoking and profound -- a must-read for all serious readers!