Carl Perkins

Praise for Carl Perkins: The King of Rockabilly

“This fine biography really does justice to Mr. Blue Suede Shoes!” —Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats
 
“Jeff Apter has succeeded in bringing Carl Perkins to life—not only as a rock and roll pioneer, but as a father, brother, friend, and colleague. In moving prose, Apter tells us about Carl’s dirt-poor childhood, his struggle for fame, and his close friendships with Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and, especially, Johnny Cash. Apter practically brings us to tears as we see the Beatles, Carl’s biggest fans, introduce him to a new generation of listeners. This is an essential book for fans of rock and its history.” —Elizabeth J. Rosenthal, author of His Song: The Musical Journey of Elton John and The Master of Drums: Gene Krupa and the Music He Gave the World

“If Elvis Presley was the voice, Carl Perkins was the sound. Not since Nick Tosches’s Hellfire has a book on rock ’n’ roll’s wildest ancestors been laid as bare or with as much impassioned scholarship. With a fresh take on the genre’s earliest roots, Jeff Apter’s chronicle of rockabilly’s favorite son is the real deal—blazing, rocking vignettes and firsthand accounts offer us a front-row seat to the life and art of the guitarist who unabashedly shaped the American rock sound and once gave another king a real run for his money. Apter masterfully reminds us that there would be no rock ’n’ roll without the blazing guitar of this great innovator. A must for music fans and crucial for those whose hearts beat rockabilly. Long live Carl Perkins—the original king!” —C. M. Kushins, author of Beast: John Bonham and the Rise of Led Zeppelin

Praise for Keith Urban

“Apter meticulously captures the music industry hurdles Urban overcame on his way to success, and gives credit to his ‘single-channeled drive and stickability.’ Urban’s fans will devour this deep dive.” —Publishers Weekly

“Keith Urban has done just about everything in country music that anyone could ever imagine. This biography by Jeff Apter reveals the highlights and struggles in getting there. I loved looking at the pictures, not just the celebrations that he’s had, but the pictures of his youth really caught my attention. The look in his eyes had the look of destiny. To use one of Keith’s quotes, ‘Nashville’s not my dream. It’s my destiny.’” —Ricky Skaggs, 15-time Grammy Award-winning musician

“Jeff Apter’s Keith Urban had dreamed of Nashville stardom ever since he was a young, guitar-pickin’ boy from a working class home in Australia. It didn’t happen easily or quickly, but came through hard work and tenaciousness. In lively prose, Apter takes us on every happy twist and frustrating turn that Urban faced on his way to the top.” —Elizabeth J. Rosenthal, author of His Song: The Musical Journey of Elton John and The Master of Drums: Gene Krupa and the Music He Gave the World

“He ain’t just that Aussie cowboy with the golden locks and godly good looks who seemingly came out of nowhere in the early 2000s, set the country and pop charts ablaze with his honey-sweet songs, and married a movie star. No, ma’am. There’s more than that to Keith Urban—much more. From his humble beginnings in blue-collar Brisbane to crooning for swooning swarms in rhinestone-studded Nashville, overcoming addiction, and filling stadiums and tabloid covers around the world, Urban has ridden a long, rocky road to the top, a road full of breathtaking highs, heartbreaking lows, and everything in between. Jeff Apter’s long-awaited biography of this beloved modern troubadour is a riveting read that no music fan will want to miss.” —Peter Aaron, author of The Band FAQ and coauthor of Richie Ramone’s autobiography, I Know Better Now: My Life Before, During and After the Ramones

“Jeff Apter’s perceptive biography is an ideal homage to one of our era’s most seminal country musicians. It tells a tale much like the wild and free genre of country music, and the land down under that Keith Urban came from: natural and raw, full of true spirit, and steeped in authenticity.” —Jude Warne, author of America, the Band: An Authorized Biography and Lowdown: The Music of Boz Scaggs

“A celebratory portrait of Urban’s life and career—the perseverance required, even for a natural, as Urban was described early in the piece—while also taking in such key moments as meeting future wife Nicole Kidman at an LA bash, whom he described as floating across the room. Informed, engagingly written, this is one for Urban fans—and there’s a lot of them out there.” —The Sydney Morning Herald

“A detailed chronicle of the multi-decade, winding path that has made Keith Urban a Nashville superstar and household name . . . A veritable who’s who of Australian and international Country music names, specifying those who contributed and collaborated with Keith to ensure his dream was made reality.” —GLAM Adelaide