Rock 'n' Roll Soldier: A Memoir - Hardcover

Dean Ellis Kohler; Susan Vanhecke

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0061242551 ISBN 13: 9780061242557

Publisher: HarperTeen, 2009

Synopsis

Dean Kohler is about to make it big--he's finally scored a national record deal! But his dreams are abruptly put on hold by the arrival of his draft notice. Now he's in Qui Nhon, Vietnam, serving as a military policeman. He keeps telling himself he's a musician, not a killer, and that he's lucky he's not fighting on the front lines. When Captain orders him to form a rock band, it's up to Dean to find instruments and players, pronto. Ingenuity and perseverance pay off and soon the band is traveling through treacherous jungle terrain to perform for troops in desperate need of an escape--even if it's only for three sets. And for Dean--who lives with death, violence, and the fear that anyone could be a potential enemy (even his Vietnamese girlfriend)--the band becomes the one thing that gets him through the day. During one of the most controversial wars in recent American history, this incredible true story is about music and camaraderie in the midst of chaos. (edited by author)

About this title

About the Author:

Dean Ellis Kohler started a band and recorded a single while serving in the Vietnam War. Today, he owns an advertising and public relations company and a mobile disc jockey business. A true Renaissance man, he's also worked as an entertainment agent, commercial artist, graphic designer, photographer, video­g-rapher, studio and concert sound engineer, sound system designer and fabricator, and television and radio broadcaster. He has remained devoted to writing, recording, and performing music throughout his life as Dean & the Mustangs, the Satellites, the Electrical Banana, the Soft Light, Spectrum, Mad Wax (and alter ego band Marc Wyld), Mousey Brown, Big Bubba & the Blockbusters, and currently as Dean Kohler. He lives in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Review:

An easy and entertaining read as well as a coming of age story about a young man who was able to live his dream in the middle of a war - and survive. --Edward T. Luttenberger, National Vietnam War Museum

The war memoir gets a unique spin with Kohler's recollection of his time playing rock and roll in the Vietnam jungle... The theme hits you in the gut: the restorative power of music is real... A sober but ultimately inspiring read. --Booklist

Kohler's story couldn't be timelier for the young men and women navigating the war zones of today. --Style Weekly

Rock 'n' Roll Soldier differs from most Vietnam entertainers' memoirs in that the troupe here did not come courtesy of Bob Hope and the USO.  These troubadours in green emerged from the ranks, giving a different slant to the term 'band of brothers.' --Vietnam Magazine

A remarkable story about the transcendent power of music. --Graham Nash

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperTeen
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0061242551
• ISBN 13: 9780061242557
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 288