Search results for ""author gillian g. gaar""

An intimate look at one of the greatest icons of the twentieth century, the King of Rock ''n'' Roll, through 100 personal and iconic objects from the archives of Elvis’s beloved home, Graceland—a never-before-seen collection, until now.For the first time, fans will see Elvis’s remarkable life through his treasured personal items, as well as the items that marked iconic milestones in his life, including: Elvis’ first performance guitar The Presley family bible and family mementos

Read more less

On January 1, 1967, a new contract between 'Colonel' Tom Parker and his sole client, Elvis Presley, gave Parker a 50 per cent cut of royalties and profits that Presely generated. It was an unashamed grab for a bigger piece of a pie that had actually been shrinking for some time. Parker's plan to re-establish Presley as a star after he left the army in 1960 had been successful at first, with the success of films like "G.I. Blues" and "Blue Hawaii" and their soundtracks. But as the decade progressed the films became formulaic, the music bland, and sales declined. By 1967 Presley's singles struggled to break the top 20, and he hadn't had a number one for six years. Yet by the end of 1968 he was artistically revitalized, re-emerging in a TV comeback special of December that year slimmed down for the now iconic black leather suit, playing country-soul influenced rock like he meant it and loved it. It was the pivotal moment of the second great period of Presley's career, which lasted through to the end of 1970, during which he recorded some of his most enduring records, including "Suspicious Minds" and "In The Ghetto". In "Return Of The King" author Gillian Gaar shows how Presley reclaimed his crown, making an extraordinary transition from fading MoR balladeer to engaged, vital artist.

Read more less

Though "Nevermind" was Nirvana's most commercially successful album, and the record that broke them - and the grunge phenomenon - internationally, "In Utero" has increasingly become regarded as the band's best album, both by the critics and the band members themselves. Instead of sticking to the "grunge pop" formula that made Nevermind so palatable to the mainstream, Nirvana chose instead to challenge their audience, producing an album that the band's creative force, Kurt Cobain, said truly matched his vision of what he had always wanted his band to sound like. Here, the full story behind the creation of "In Utero" is told for the first time.

Read more less

Nirvana are one of the most influential bands in rock history, and even now, nearly 20 years after Kurt Cobain''s death, the reverence in which they are held is undiminished. Books have been written about Nirvana before, but they tend to concentrate on the band''s superstar period and Kurt Cobain''s demise, while skating over the early years. In Entertain Us, Gillian Gaar redresses the balance by examining in forensic detail the band''s rise to fame, and their first album, Bleach. Seattle native Gaar was one of the first journalists to write about Nirvana, and covered the band''s career closely, offering her a unique perspective to write this book. Drawing on extensive interviews with the key characters in the story, including bassist Krist Novoselic, drummer Chad Channing, and producers Jack Endino and Butch Vig, the book charts the band''s formation and early years as well as their role at the center of the grunge gold rush. By critiquing every song the band recorded in thi

Read more less

A beautifully produced celebration of the iconic and beloved rock star, Elton John features live onstage and candid offstage photography, an entertaining history, and gatefold timeline. Few rock artists continue to gather more and more adulation with age than Sir Elton Hercules John. In this re-release of Elton John at 75 (2022), veteran rock journalist Gillian Gaar provides a unique examination of Elton’s life and career through the lens of 75 career accomplishments and life events—from his first steps as a solo artist to the breakthrough album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road to his flamboyant stage presence, and beyond. Key studio albums are featured, of course, as are a curated selection of his earworm singles. But Gaar delves deeper to reveal the events that helped chart the course of Elton’s career: Key performances such as his breakthrough performance at LA’s Troubadour, and the historic Soviet Union and Dodger Stadium concerts Legendary collaborations with the likes of Dua LIpa, Billy Joel, and Kate Bush His many film and television roles, including Tommy and The Muppet Show Tireless work on behalf of AIDS research Notable awards and honors, including knighthood And of course his collaboration with longtime cowriter Bernie Taupin Every page is illustrated with stunning photography, including gig posters, 7-inch picture sleeves, and more. This incredible package also includes a gatefold Elton John timeline. The result is a fitting tribute to one of the most admired stars in rock.

Read more less

Elvis passed away in 1977 but his spirit lives on. His records still sell, his movies are still hugely popular and his concerts are still discussed by new generations of fans. The Elvis Presley estate has tens of thousands of photographs and miles of video footage from all eras of Elvis' career and fans' hunger for new imagery and information on the King remains unsated. This publication is a beautiful, desirable package, ideal for any Elvis fan. This book tells the personal story of Elvis and his relationships with those near and dear to him and contains more than 150 colour and black and white photographs from the Graceland archives, accompanied by insightful text from an author with a proven Elvis track record.To take you closer than ever before to the King, 30 items of rare memorabilia are carefully reproduced on the page, including personal letters, receipts, telegrams, publicity material and other fascinating items which provide new insight into the life of a legend.There are photographs of Elvis himself, Elvis with friends and family, and all manner of personal artifacts, including guitars, jewelry, clothing, vehicles and more.

Read more less

A unique and beautifully produced celebration of the iconic and beloved rock star, Elton at 75 features a slipcased hardcover with a gatefold timeline, gatefold artwork, frameable pull-out gig poster, and a pull-out photo print! Few rock artists continue to gather more and more adulation with age. Sir Elton Hercules John is an exception who proves the rule. In Elton John at 75, veteran rock journalist Gillian Gaar presents a unique and beautifully produced celebration of the iconic and beloved rock star, examining Sir Elton through the lens of 75 career accomplishments and life events. Key studio albums are featured, of course, as are a curated selection of his earworm singles. But Gaar delves deeper to reveal the events that helped chart the course of Elton’s career: Key performances such as his breakthrough performance at LA’s Troubadour, and the historic Soviet Union and Dodger Stadium concerts Legendary collaborations with the likes of George Michael, Billy Joel, and Kate Bush His many film and television roles, including Tommy and The Muppet Show Tireless work on behalf of AIDS research Notable awards and honors, including knighthood And of course his collaboration with longtime cowriter Bernie Taupin Beginning with his 1969 debut LP, Elton John is regarded as one of the most influential musicians and performers of the previous five decades. In examining 75 touchstones, Gaar provides a unique presentation of Elton’s career arc, from his first steps as a solo artist to the breakthrough album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road to his flamboyant stage presence, and beyond. Every page is illustrated with stunning concert and candid offstage photography, including gig posters, 7-inch picture sleeves, and more. This incredible package also includes a gatefold Elton John timeline, a previously unpublished gatefold artwork, an 8×10-inch glossy print, and a pullout poster. The result is a stunning tribute to one of the most admired stars in rock—in a milestone year.

Read more less

Experience the extraordinary career of “The Boss” with this richly illustrated package featuring two gatefolds, exclusive pullout poster, 8 × 10 glossy, and a sturdy slipcase.Twenty-time Grammy winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and best-selling author…Bruce Springsteen is, of course, also one of rock’s most revered songwriters and performers. In Bruce Springsteen at 75, veteran rock journalist Gillian G. Gaar reveals this rock icon through 75 career releases, performances, and accolades. This exquisite volume features: Slipcased hardcover format Stunning concert and candid offstage photography Images of memorabilia, including gig posters, vinyl record sleeves, ticket stubs, period ads, and more Gatefold Bruce Springsteen timeline Unpublished 8 × 10 photo An exclusive pullout poster Through seven-and-a-half decades, Gaar covers i

Read more less

Reveals the magic and tragedy of Nirvana, an iconic 90's grunge band - from small-town gigs to the last days of Kurt Cobain. This book explores and documents Nirvana's history, critiques various Nirvana albums, singles, EPs and compilations, including Nirvana tracks and solo projects, and summaries the array of Nirvana books and Nirvana films.

Read more less

Celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first commercial LP with this authoritative, highly illustrated, and multi-faceted look at the history and culture of vinyl record collecting and turntables. Vinyl records continue to be hot commodities among everyone from obsessive audiophiles to newbie collectors getting their toes wet. In the Groove: The Vinyl Record and Turntable Revolution is the book for both—and everyone in between. Published to mark the 75th year since the introduction of the commercial LP, In the Groove is written by a roster of well-known music journalists, vinyl junkies, and stereophiles teaming up to present a gorgeous tribute to the vinyl LP and the culture it has spawned: Richie Unterberger explores the history of the 33 1/3 LP, including its predecessor, the 78rpm record, the first commercial LPs, the pressing process, stereo vs. mono, and formats like the 7-inch/45rpm record. Gillian Gaar tackles those temples to the turntable: record stores. Inside, she examines the history of LP merchandising everywhere from department stores to headshops, Record Store Day, the artist in-store appearance, and swap meets and record shows. Martin Popoff pens a paean to the physical object itself, discussing the advent of the sleeve, the great LP covers, famous sleeve designers, liner notes and packaging, colored vinyl, and more. Matt Anniss looks at the collecting hobby and topics like obsessive collectors, what makes a great listening space, playing and caring for vinyl, collecting and vinyl in DJ and hip-hop cultures, and the mixtape phenomenon. Ken Micallef, a top hifi journalist, has the gearheads covered with explanations of turntables from portables to audiophile-quality units, the workings and parts of a turntable from motors and tonearms to plinths and cartridges, and the components of a system. In the Groove is illustrated throughout with images of gear, listening spaces, record stores, sleeve art, and celebrities and musicians enjoying the vinyl hobby through the decades. Brief, entertaining sidebars cover topics like famous labels from Stax to Sub Pop, famous EPs, well-known record stores, milestone LP covers, a beginner’s guide to grading, and formats that have challenged the supremacy of the LP, including 8-track, reel-to-reel, and cassette. Feel the groove with this effervescent ode to vinyl.

Read more less

Founded in the late 1980s by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman, Seattle-based Sub Pop Records released early recordings by then-upstart regional bands such as Green River, Soundgarden, Mudhoney, Tad, Nirvana, Flaming Lips, Afghan Whigs, and Screaming Trees. When the world went grunge crazy in the 1990s, Sub Pop was suddenly the epicenter of Seattle cool. Emerging organically from Bruce Pavitt’s Subterranean Pop fanzine, the story of Sub Pop Records is the story of a couple of irreverent music lovers who stumbled into the record business because they simply loved working with bands they wanted to listen to themselves. From barely paying the bills to the trappings of major music industry success to the inevitable fallout, this is the inside story of the musicians, producers, staffers, and stars who built Sub Pop into an independent powerhouse. World Domination takes you deep inside the chaotic early days of the label’s founding, all the way to the present. It’s a fascinating snapshot of a label that has promoted Death Cab for Cutie, the White Stripes, the Shins, Iron & Wine, the Postal Service, Sleater-Kinney, Band of Horses, Flight of the Conchords, Fleet Foxes, Sunny Day Real Estate, Shabazz Palaces, the Head and the Heart, Father John Misty, and many others. Author Gillian G. Gaar, a longtime Seattle-based writer, draws on firsthand interviews, deep research, and her years of covering the Seattle scene as a local music journalist to bring together the first in-depth historical narrative of one of America’s more influential independent record labels.

Read more less