I have just read: Bird Lives, Ross Russell's successful but largely fanciful 1973 biography, this work was never going to depend for its impact and value on a recitation of the facts and first-hand witness statements alone. Another lovely book (monograph) is Gary Giddens (jazz critic of the Village Voice)Celebrating Bird, published in 1987. And for solos transcribed from Parker recordings: Tom Owens: Charlie Parker's Improvisational Methods.
Yes, and there are others too of course. (Obviously the topic of my post was not to survey all books on Bird.) Please note Gary's last name is spelled Giddins. And I no longer recommend my friend Owens's dissertation because it was never published and the handwritten transcriptions are very hard to read. There are many books of Parker transcriptions now. Thank you!
I'm going to read my will again for the first time in 10 years..lol. I don't want to leave a mess. O what a tangled web we weave. Imagine the heights Bird would have scaled without the burden of dope. It truly boggles the mind as his legacy is already monumental.
Ha ha all true. It's astonishing how many people die with no will, leaving a mess behind--including Aretha Franklin! Although even when one leaves a will, it can be contested. Thanks Rob.
I’d dare say that his blackness and poverty killed him. I don’t have enough words of praise and respect for geniuses like Charlie Parker who in spite all they had to endure gave the world the gift of their supreme art. Thank you very much for this wonderful post.
Which family members of a dead celebrity DON'T fight over control of the estate?
Sad to say, that appears to be true!
I have just read: Bird Lives, Ross Russell's successful but largely fanciful 1973 biography, this work was never going to depend for its impact and value on a recitation of the facts and first-hand witness statements alone. Another lovely book (monograph) is Gary Giddens (jazz critic of the Village Voice)Celebrating Bird, published in 1987. And for solos transcribed from Parker recordings: Tom Owens: Charlie Parker's Improvisational Methods.
Yes, and there are others too of course. (Obviously the topic of my post was not to survey all books on Bird.) Please note Gary's last name is spelled Giddins. And I no longer recommend my friend Owens's dissertation because it was never published and the handwritten transcriptions are very hard to read. There are many books of Parker transcriptions now. Thank you!
I'm going to read my will again for the first time in 10 years..lol. I don't want to leave a mess. O what a tangled web we weave. Imagine the heights Bird would have scaled without the burden of dope. It truly boggles the mind as his legacy is already monumental.
Ha ha all true. It's astonishing how many people die with no will, leaving a mess behind--including Aretha Franklin! Although even when one leaves a will, it can be contested. Thanks Rob.
Very sad.
The booze likely killed him not the dope
I have some info on that but you are on the right track. Thanks David!
I’d dare say that his blackness and poverty killed him. I don’t have enough words of praise and respect for geniuses like Charlie Parker who in spite all they had to endure gave the world the gift of their supreme art. Thank you very much for this wonderful post.
Very true! Thank you for your comment!