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This memoir charts the extraordinary rise to fame of living blues
legend, Bobby Rush. Born Emmet Ellis, Jr. in Homer, Louisiana, he
adopted the stage name Bobby Rush out of respect for his father, a
pastor. As a teenager, Rush acquired his first real guitar and
started playing in juke joints in Little Rock, Arkansas, donning a
fake mustache to trick club owners into thinking he was old enough
to gain entry into their establishments. During the mid-1950s, Rush
relocated to Chicago to pursue his musical career. It was there
that he started to work with Earl Hooker, Luther Allison, and
Freddie King, and sat in with many of his musical heroes, such as
Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed and Little Walter. Rush
eventually began leading his own band in the 1960s, crafting his
own distinct style of funky blues, and recording a succession of
singles for various labels. It wasn't until the early 1970s that
Rush finally scored a hit with "Chicken Heads." More recordings
followed, including an album which went on to be listed in the Top
10 blues albums of the 1970s by Rolling Stone and a handful of
regional jukebox favorites including "Sue" and "I Ain't Studdin'
Ya." And Rush's career shows no signs of slowing down now. The man
once beloved for performing in local jukejoints is now headlining
major music/blues festivals, clubs, and theaters across the U.S.
and as far as Japan and Australia. At age 86, he is still on the
road for over 200 days a year. His lifelong hectic tour schedule,
dating back to the '50s, earned him the affectionate title "King of
the Chitlin' Circuit," from Rolling Stone. In 2007, he earned the
distinction of being the first blues artist to play at the Great
Wall of China. His renowned stage act features his famed shake
dancers, who personify his funky blues and the ribald humor that he
has cultivated during the course of his storied career. He was
featured in Martin Scorcese's The Blues docuseries on PBS, a
documentary film called Take Me to the River, performed with Dan
Aykroyd on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and most
recently had a cameo in the Golden Globe nominated Netflix film,
Dolemite Is My Name, starring Eddie Murphy. He was recently given
the highest Blues Music Award honor of B.B. King Entertainer of the
Year. His songs have also been featured in TV shows and films
including HBO's Ballers and major motion pictures like Black Snake
Moan, starring Samuel L. Jackson. Considered by many to be the
greatest bluesman currently performing, this book will give readers
unparalleled access into the man, the myth, the legend: Bobby Rush.
The late Grammy-winning founder of the legendary
pop/R&B/soul/funk/disco group tells his story and charts the
rise of his legendary band in this sincere memoir that captures the
heart and soul of an artist whose groundbreaking sound continues to
influence music today. With an introduction by Steve Harvey and a
foreword by David Foster. "To the readers of this book you need to
know that EW&F is simply the greatest living group in my
lifetime. No one put together lyrics to a melody like they did; no
one put harmony to sound and rhythm like they did; no one added
horns in the way that they did and no one, but no one messed with
our minds about love and life like they did...EARTH because they
grow on you; WIND because it moves you in one loving direction and
FIRE because they consume your heart in a single flame of
love."-Steve Harvey With its dynamic horns, contrasting vocals, and
vivid stage shows, Earth, Wind & Fire was one of the most
popular acts of the late twentieth century-the band "that changed
the sound of black pop" (Rolling Stone)-and its music continues to
inspire modern artists including Usher, Jay-Z, Cee-Lo Green, and
Outkast. At last, the band's founder, Maurice White, shares the
story of his success. White reflects on the great blessings music
has brought to his life and the struggles he's endured: his mother
leaving him behind in Memphis when he was four; learning to play
the drums with Booker T. Jones; moving to Chicago at eighteen and
later Los Angeles after leaving the Ramsey Lewis Trio; forming EWF,
only to have the original group fall apart; working with Barbra
Streisand and Neil Diamond; his diagnosis of Parkinson's; and his
final public performance with the group at the 2006 Grammy Awards.
Through it all, White credits his faith for his amazing success and
guidance in overcoming his many challenges. My Life with Earth
Wind, and Fire is an intimate, moving, and beautiful memoir from a
man whose creativity and determination carried him to great
success, and whose faith enabled him to savor every moment.
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