From Cabbagetown to Tinseltown and places in between...: The autobiography of Tommy Roe (Michael Robert Krikorian's Collection) - Softcover

Roe, Tommy; Krikorian, Michael Robert

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1523646810 ISBN 13: 9781523646814

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016

Synopsis

Born of humble roots to working class parents and raised in a section of Atlanta, Georgia, referred to as “Cabbagetown” until the age of six, Tommy Roe grew up in the West End and rose to make history in the world of popular music. Starting out as one of a host of southern Rockabilly artists in 1962, by decade’s end, he had attained even greater fame in Hollywood by creating a genre of his own. However, don’t think for one minute that the journey from his modest upbringing to the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown was an easy one. It was anything but that. His story shadows a period in American history that was filled with tumult and division. From the blind society of his youth led by voices on the radio to one filled with vivid, color imagery broadcast each evening on the nightly news from the jungles of Southeast Asia in the 1960s, Tommy witnessed some of the most significant changes in his country’s history and culture. In no place were those changes more evident or more clearly on display than in the music of the day. Many in the industry changed directions and altered their course choosing to use their music to convey a message of anger and divisiveness, centered mainly on events taking place on the far side of the Pacific Ocean and enhanced by an unhealthy use of assorted narcotics. By contrast, Tommy shifted gears musically as well, but he did so to combat a different sort of invasion force. His focus was on the one that had made its way across the Atlantic. And so as “hippies” began to congregate in San Francisco’s Haight/Ashbury speaking openly about revolution while “tripping out” and British songsmiths continued to deepen their foothold on the Billboard charts, spring breakers hit the beaches of Florida in 1966. When they did, they embraced a new sound that was already there making waves. However, not everyone was happy with the tide that came ashore. Some in the media were not as receptive as Tommy’s fans were to the new genre he created. They quickly began voicing their disapproval and dismay by malevolently labeling Tommy Roe, “The King of Bubblegum”. Despite the malicious coronation, as the decade of the 60s came to a close and the 1970s began, Tommy was still riding high atop the charts. However, in the fall of 1972, he learned an important lesson about human rights. He stood by his principles and beliefs and made a right turn on a one-way street in Hollywood that went only to the left. “Some of the most closed-minded people I’ve ever met are those who are celebrated for being open-minded... Those who tell us not to have labels for anyone seem to have labels for everyone... The entertainment industry is a closed shop. Don’t let anyone tell you differently!” No matter what some may think of his choices, his records speak for themselves. With more than 30 million records sold including 47 Top 40 singles worldwide, six of which making the Top 10 in the U.S., and two, “Sheila” in 1962 and 1969’s smash “Dizzy” topping the Billboard charts, Tommy was one of the true hit makers of his time. That was not something others like the Beatles or even Elvis Presley failed to notice and respect. Yes, they, too, are part of Tommy’s story. Though filled with an endless supply of down-home humor and ironic satire, in this candid and heartfelt autobiography, Tommy shoots straight from the hip. He talks openly about not only his own life and his love of his country but also lends a unique, historical perspective on his years and to events inside and outside of music. He pulls no punches and tells it like it really was and in many cases still is. This is not only the story of a life, but also a story that many inside the entertainment industry would prefer nobody ever hears. This isn’t just his story... It’s history!

About this title

About the Author

Tommy Roe-- A member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, The Hit Parade Hall of Fame and the respective Georgia and Iowa Music Halls of Fame, Tommy is known and loved around the world. Today, when not playing music or making personal appearances, he spends most of his free time at home with his wife, Josette, or visiting his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. And when time allows, which is just about anytime he can get a foursome together, he can be found lining up an 18-foot putt on one of the many golf courses in Southern California. Fans can contact Tommy via his website Tommyroe.com........ Michael Robert Krikorian-- A graduate of Fresno State University as well as being a lifelong musician and performing stand up comic, those who have read his works call Michael a master storyteller not simply a writer. He became involved with helping rock and roll stars write their memoirs in 2010, and his passion and love of the music made by those he works with shows on every page. Today he teaches school and lives with his wife Svetlana and their children in Pleasanton, California. He is always in search of a story waiting to be told and loves to hear from his readers. He can be contacted or booked for performance or a book project at krikorianmichael@aol.com.

Review

By: Wink Martindale Having been introduced to the music of Tommy Roe when he first rose to prominence in the 1960s and soon thereafter becoming a fan, I was quite honored and flattered when I was asked to write the foreword for this book. I have known Tommy for more than half a century and consider him a good friend today. It might be difficult to imagine given his long list of accomplishments and accolades, but, in my opinion, he is one of the most underrated and perhaps underappreciated artists from his, or for that matter, any era or generation. I don t say this just because he is a friend. I say it because it s the truth. As a radio personality in Los Angeles working the morning drive during the 1960s, I remember Tommy was a staple on the AM band for the better part of a decade. I remember like yesterday, in fact maybe even better than yesterday, the first time I heard Sheila in 1962. At that point, neither I nor anyone else in the country had ever heard of Tommy Roe. But the raw rockabilly sound reminiscent of the legendary Buddy Holly resonated with my listeners as well as those in markets from coast to coast. It quickly found a home on the heavy playlist at most radio stations eventually rising to secure the #1 spot on Billboard s Hot 100. Then, just to prove he wasn t a one hit wonder, he followed it up a year or so later with the #3 classic Everybody . Yet, popular and successful as those early records were, they were only part of the opening act of his career. For after touring with the Beatles and spending a lot of time in the United Kingdom, Tommy recognized the need to evolve as an artist. He came back with renewed motivation and a desire to reinvent himself and his sound in a manner that he felt put him more instep with what he experienced first hand in England. So while the British continued their invasion here at home, Tommy s evolution began with his 1966, Top 10 hit, Sweet Pea , which earned him not only a gold record but also the title of The King of Bubblegum ! Though many in the radio industry and the media were not too happy with what Tommy was doing, I personally loved the music. He had created a genre with Sweet Pea and furthered it with Hooray For Hazel which also found a home near the top of the charts. The sound was infectious and playful and appealed to many who were in search of something new. Those of us in radio were always on the lookout for songs that were innocent during a period of time when so much of the music being produced here in the U.S. spoke of drugs and protest. Tommy, as well as those who followed in his footsteps, appealed to a different demographic as they were tailor-made for AM Top 40. In 1969, Tommy hit his pinnacle. Riding atop the Billboard chart for most of the months of March and April, Dizzy was not only the biggest hit for Tommy but also arguably the biggest hit of the entire calendar year! But he wasn t done. In the late fall of that same year, Jam Up and Jelly Tight added a fourth gold record to his collection. As for myself, I want to say that Tommy is one of the true gentlemen of the entertainment industry. From his modest Southern roots similar to my own, he has always been thankful for the blessings that life has given to him. In the pages that follow, you will learn more about the person inside. He has a very charming personality with a Southern, homespun sense of humor which I, personally, appreciate greatly being that my family tree is rooted in Tennessee. And so here you have the true story of a life. Not just a life within the music industry. It s also a life lived during some of the country s most memorable and historic times. Tommy shows within these pages that he does have a connection to, a devout respect for and an appreciation of the American culture. Enjoy... Wink --Book Foreword

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1523646810
• ISBN 13: 9781523646814
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 229