It was 1975 in Nassau. A shy little girl stepped out from the crowd holding a single pink flower. Security tried to stop…
He was just a trembling boy in the front row, clutching a crumpled sign that said, “Please don’t forget me.” The crowd laughed…
Dean Martin walked off stage. When Elvis arrived, Elvis applauded. Then Dean never performed in that venue again. Chapter 1. February 25th, 1961.…
Three years earlier, Frank Sinatra had called Elvis’s music the most brutal, ugly, desperate, vicious form of expression it has been my misfortune…
The Blue Note Jazz Club, New York City. March 12th, 1957. 340 people crammed into a venue built for 280. Cigarette smoke hanging…
In December 1978, a wig salesman from Long Island walked into a meeting in Miami and never walked out. His name was Marty…
February 10th, 1979. Worcester Civic Center, Massachusetts. 9:47 p.m. Jimmy Burke’s foot exploded through his television screen. Glass everywhere. Blood on the carpet.…
December 18th, 1978. 6:17 in the morning. A one-bedroom apartment in Ozone Park, Queens. Parnell Stacks Edwards is asleep when the front door…
April 7th, 1972. 4:30 in the morning. Alberto’s Clam House, 129 Malbury Street, Little Italy. Joseph Gallow sat with [music] his back to…
January 14th, 1979. A basement on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. Tommy Desimon went down those stairs wearing a double- breasted black bill…