Kara DioGuardi hits A Helluva High Note
It Books is thrilled to be publishing A Helluva High Note by the amazing Kara DioGuardi, coming April 2011.
Hip Hop: The Revitalization of Rap
The Editors of Rolling Stone have brought you back to when Grunge Was King and when Alternative Went Mainstream. In YourItList’s third installment from The ’90s: Inside Stories from the Decade that Rocked we give you Hip Hop: The Revitalization of Rap.
In addition to an introduction from RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan, Rolling Stone brings you back to Snoop Dogg and Dre in Compton from 1993, “The Short Life and Violent Death of Tupac,” Anthony Bozza’s “Eminem Pisses off the World,” as well as essays about Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z and Missy Elliott.
Buy your copy of The ’90s today.
The ’90s–Alternative goes mainstream
With the last few weeks of 2010 in front of us, Your It List is looking back – way back to the 1990s with The ’90s: Inside Stories from the Decade that Rocked by the Editors of Rolling Stone.
Each week we will bring you back into the ’90s through photos from the biggest names in music from Metal to Pop, Hip-Hop to Jam Bands.
This week we remember when “alternative” still meant something:
The Alternative chapter includes a provocative intro by Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction, as well as essays and interviews covering the Smashing Pumpkins, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day and the Beastie Boys, among others.
Buy your copy of The ’90s today.
Party with Neil Strauss and Ben Greenman in NY this Thursday
Join It Books and our friends at Harper Perennial this Thursday, November 4th at Brooklyn’s powerHouse Arena for a party and reading featuring Neil Strauss (Everybody Loves You When You’re Dead, Mötley Crüe’s The Dirt) and Ben Greenman (Celebrity Chekhov and Gene Simmons’ Kiss and Make-up). The evening will feature a performance by the Upright Citizens Brigade comedy troupe, on-site memoir ghost-writing, alcohol, and more!
RSVP here.
Learn more about the event here.
Meet The Red Hot Chili Peppers in Los Angeles
November 4, 2010 is a day Red Hot Chili Peppers fans have been waiting for! Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith and Flea will be making an appearance at Barnes & Noble: The Grove at Farmer’s Market in Los Angeles to sign copies of their book The Red Hot Chili Peppers: An Oral/Visual History. Please see below for event rules and regulations.
“I am struck with the moments of these photos, the feelings of the times they were taken, and where we were at on our beautiful and happy-sad journey. It’s pretty fucking heavy, actually, like thinking how much we have changed over the years, and all the different dynamics of our lives that shaped us, and also realizing so clearly that nothing has changed at all—we’re all still just trying to get it on, make something great. It is all here, nothing can hide: all the honesty, the pretense, the courage and one-of-a-kind-ness, the unbridled joy, the melancholy, and the shields we put up to shelter our scared, vulnerable little selves.” —Flea
Please note:
- Only those in possession of a bracelet will be granted admittance the day of the signing.
- A limited number of bracelets will be available at Barnes & Noble: The Grove at Farmer’s Market beginning on Wednesday, November 3 at 9:00 am PST.
- The band will only be signing copies of The Red Hot Chili Peppers: An Oral/Visual History. No albums or memorabilia, please.
- The signing will begin promptly at 12:00 pm PST. Please arrive early.
- Photography and audio/video recording devices are not allowed within the venue.
Kat Von D in NYC
Kat Von D wants to meet you! Be sure to catch the busy tattoo artist and star of LA INK over the next few weeks as she travels all over the U.S. to sign copies of her new book, THE TATTOO CHRONICLES. This week she visited the tri-state area and though she was standing on her feet (in six inch sparkly pink heels!) for two to three hours at a time, Kat happily signed books and posed for pictures with every single one of the hundreds of eager fans lined up to meet her. Some highlights below:
Kat Von D and Jeffrey Star sign books for fans
Some window washers tried to sneak a peek into the signing from outside!
Russell Brand finally gets around to teaching manners
Emily Post has nothing on manners expert Russell Brand (especially in the man/man kissing department):
(via MTV News)
Jerry Lee Lewis to Pen Autobiography for It Books
LEGENDARY ROCK ’N’ ROLL PIONEER JERRY LEE LEWIS TO WRITE AUTOBIOGRAPHY FOR IT BOOKS
NEW YORK, NY (October 13, 2010) – It Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, announced today a deal to publish the memoir of rock ’n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis in 2012.
The book was acquired at auction by Cal Morgan, Vice President and Editorial Director of It Books. The agent was Erin Hosier of the Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency.
One of the greatest showmen of all time, Jerry Lee Lewis is one of the founding pioneers of rock—and his life story is at least as dramatic as his famously outrageous performances. From his childhood in Louisiana and his evangelical upbringing (Jimmy Lee Swaggart was his double first cousin) to his expulsion from Bible college in Texas, Lewis always knew he was going to be a star. In this long-awaited memoir, he will share a lifetime of untold stories, from his early years at Sun Records, where he lit up the music charts in 1957 with the back-to-back hits “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and “Great Balls of Fire”; to his longtime friendships with Sun stablemates Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and others; to the scandal that scuttled his first UK tour and jeopardized his career; to his triumphant comeback in the late 1960s, when he became the #1 Country Music star in America; to the cycles of excess and tragedy that dogged him for decades—to his present-day comeback with a pair of hit CDs, Last Man Standing and Mean Old Man. The result will be a truly no-holds-barred memoir—a rock epic if ever there was one.
“I have spent my life listening to those who know so little say so much about me and my life,” said Lewis. “I am ready to say a whole lot about why I lived my life the way I did. People can read it, burn it, or never give it another thought. Either way the truth is about to be told, and I’m the only man still standing who can touch it.”
“Mr. Lewis personifies the American story, in all its richness and contradiction,” said Morgan. “He’s a man of astonishing natural talent, profound belief, and indomitable spirit. What a thrill to have the chance to work with him on this unforgettable book.”
Jerry Lee Lewis was the first person inducted in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, at its opening ceremony in 1986. His original recording of “Great Balls of Fire” was elected to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” received this honor in 1999. He has garnered countless honors, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Rolling Stone ranked him one of their Top 25 Greatest Artists of All Time, and he is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the Hit Parade Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Lewis has had 14 #1 Hits, 47 Top 20 hits, and 10 Golden Records. In 2010, actor Levi Kreis won a Tony Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Lewis in the hit Broadway show Million Dollar Quartet. At the age of 75, Lewis is currently on tour in support of his latest CD, Mean Old Man, a deluxe 18-track collection of duets and collaborations with some of the greatest musicians in rock and country music.
About It Books: Launched in September 2009, It Books is dedicated to publishing exceptional books in entertainment, music, fashion, design, art, celebrity, pop culture and sports. It Books has published numerous New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times bestsellers including Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern, Getting the Pretty Back by Molly Ringwald, Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway by Cherie Currie, I Love Your Style by Amanda Brooks, Booky Wook 2 by Russell Brand and Satiristas by Paul Provenza and Dan Dion. Upcoming publications include Blow by Blow by Detmar Blow with Tom Skyes, The Red Hot Chili Peppers by The Red Hot Chili Peppers, How to Beat Up Anybody by Judah Friedlander, True Whit by Whitney Port, Everyone Loves You When You’re Dead by Neil Strauss and Al Jaffee’s Mad Life by Mary Lou Weisman. It Books is an imprint HarperCollinsPublishers, one of the largest English-language publishers in the world and a subsidiary of News Corporation (NYSE: NWS, NWS.A; ASX: NWS, NWSLV). It Books can be found online at www.YourItList.com, www.Facebook.com/YourItList, www.Twitter.com/YourItList and www.Twitter.com/ItBooks.
Our weekend at New York Comic Con
We had a great time this weekend at New York Comic Con. Thanks to everyone who swung by the booth to check out our books and meet authors like Al Jaffee, Judah Friedlander, Jo Weldon and Ryan Buell. With over 90,000 ticket pre-sales, this was a massive event–look out San Diego, we’re gaining on you!
Some photo memories from the weekend:
Judah Friedlander demonstrates why he is The World Champion
Our beloved authors, Judah Friedlander, Al Jaffee and Mary-Lou Weisman discuss strategy before their book signings
Big Foot and the Abominable Snowman square off in a neighboring booth. As soon as Judah--with his reputation for beating up Bigfoots--showed up, they made themselves scarce.
Gumby busts a move at the Ubisoft "Michael Jackson Experience" booth
Judah Friedlander, The World Champion, will teach you karate
THE WORLD CHAMPION gives out his phone number so that he can teach people karate.
A World Champion Event
Last night, friends, colleagues, and former opponents of Judah “The World Champion” Friedlander gathered at New York’s SPiN ping pong club to celebrate the release of his satirical karate guide HOW TO BEAT UP ANYBODY (on sale October 5).
In attendance were a number of Judah’s “3o Rock” cast members, including Jack McBrayer (Kenneth), Scott Adsit (Pete), Keith Powell (Toofer), Grizz Chapman (Grizz), John Lutz (Lutz), and Sue Galloway (Sue).
As ping pong balls whizzed by and party-goers imbibed drinks offered by the soiree’s sponsor, Southern Comfort, attendees admired a number of props from Judah’s book, including a real-life, in-the-(tuna-and-kielbasy-)flesh homemade World Champion Pizza Sandwich (whose recipe is included in Chapter 4 of Judah’s book!) and The World Championship Trophy, which (you’ll learn in chapter 2) he received from the President of South America when The World Championship was held in Zaire in 1998.
Suffering in the northeast corner of the club was one of Judah’s many victims, a man whose limp, bludgeoned body served to warn attendees of the fate that might befall them if they offended The World Champion by not buying his book.
The highlight of the night was when a squad of EMTs and New York’s Finest showed up to “save” the bloodied man, tipped off by a subway-rider who spotted him through the two-way glass window that faces both the interior of SPiN and the 23rd Street #6 train subway stop.
For more pictures, including shots of New York firefighters arriving on the scene, check out New York MetroMix’s slideshow.
And That’s What I Call A Situation
Here’s the situation: Mike from the Jersey Shore has taken over the world. Ok, not really, but three recent projects have catapulted him to fame (and fortune) beyond his abs’ wildest imagination. What are they? Let’s take a look:
Project 1: Dancing Queen
Mike has joined this season’s cast of Dancing With the Stars with professional dancing partner Karina Smirnoff. But Jersey Shore obligations in NJ gave him a late start to the show’s rigorous dance rehearsals, which may explain why he tied for last place on the first episode. We’ll have to see if he and Karina can quickstep their way into the top next week!
Project 2: Total App Domination
Since its release last Thursday, “The Situation” has become one of Apple’s top 10 grossing iPhone apps . Retailing for $4.99 on iTunes, the app boasts a “GTL Finder”, which uses your GPS location to find the nearest gyms, tanning salons, and laundromats/dry cleaners. At the gym you can follow The Situation’s photo demonstrations of his workout routine, and in your downtime (perhaps waiting to get in the tanning bed?), play the “Grenade Dodger” game, listen to his recorded catchphrases, and email The situation with your pressing GTL questions.
Fat-bottomed Kazakhstani girls
Sacha Baron Cohen, of Ali G/Borat/Bruno fame, has reportedly signed on to play Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in an upcoming biopic (via the Laugh Button). Rarely has there been such a perfect match of actor and subject. Casting directors must have a term for this these sort of slam-dunk lookalike casting jobs, but alas, I don’t know any casting directors. Apparently it’s still up in the air whether Cohen will actually sing on camera (the Reese Witherspoon) or lip-sync (the Jamie Foxx), but having heard Borat’s rendition of “Throw the Jew down the well,” I’m hoping for the latter.
In honor of this flawless casting, we bring you a few more pairings that are ripe for the picking:
Michael Sheen and Tony Hayward
This one is almost too easy. The second the BP oil spill scandal broke, it was clear who would play villainous CEO Tony Hayward when the eventual film version hits theaters: British actor Michael Sheen. If he’s too busy, or expensive, maybe Tony Blair–whom Sheen played in The Queen–could step in.
Jeffrey Tambor and Dr. Phil
It’s quite unlikely that they’ll ever make a Dr. Phil “The Movie,” (I pray), but when they announce the Oprah Winfrey story, I imagine casting directors will be lining up on George Bluth, Sr.’s doorstep.
Middle-aged Adam Sandler and Middle-aged Bob Dylan
This one doesn’t sound like a slam dunk at first first, but I’ll let the photos speak for themselves. Of course, Sandler’s pretty much the only person who didn’t play Dylan in Todd Haynes’ post-modern biopic I’M NOT THERE. It would also be the first time in musician biopic history that the actor has to sing worse in order to bring authenticity to the role.
Al Jaffee’s Mad Life
We’re incredibly excited for the September 28th publication of AL JAFFEE’S MAD LIFE by Mary-Lou Weisman with color illustrations by Al Jaffee.
| “At last the inventor of the Mad Fold-In offers us a panoramic fold-out: what first looks like the genial bearded self-caricature seen in lots of Al Jaffee Mad cartoons opens up into a vast tableau of survival, trauma and family dysfunction that spans from Old World to New and from tears born of laughter to laughter born from tears. It’s an unnerving biography with a moving graphic novel hidden inside it.” — Art Spiegelman, author of MAUS |
Jaffee’s inventive work has enlivened the pages of MAD since 1955. To date he has pickled three generations of American kids in the brine of satire, and continues to bring millions of childhoods to untimely ends with the knowledge that parents are hypocrites, teachers are dummies, politicians are liars, and life isn’t fair.
Jaffee’s work for MAD has made him a cultural icon, but the compelling and at times bizarre story of his life has yet to be told. A synopsis of Jaffee’s formative years alone reads like a comic strip of traumatic cliff-hangers with cartoons by Jaffee and captions by Freud. Six-year-old Jaffee was separated from his father, uprooted from his home in Savannah, Georgia, and transplanted by his mother to a shtetl in Lithuania, a nineteenth-century world of kerosene lamps, outhouses, physical abuse, and near starvation. He would be rescued by his father, returned to America, taken yet again by his mother back to the shtetl, and once again rescued by his father, even as Hitler was on the march.
When he finally settled back in America as a twelve-year-old wearing cobbled shoes and speaking his native English with a Yiddish accent, schoolmates called him “greenhorn.” He struggled with challenges at least as great as those he had met in Europe. His luck changed, however, when he was chosen to be a member of the first class to attend New York City’s High School of Music and Art. There his artistic ability saved him.
He would go on to forge relationships with Stan Lee, Harvey Kurtzman, and Will Elder, launching a career that would bring him to MAD magazine. There he found himself at the forefront of a movement that would change the face of humor and cartooning in America.
A cliff-hanger of a life deserves a page-turner of a biography, and that is what Mary-Lou Weisman and Al Jaffee have delivered.
Judah Friedlander Goes 1-on-1 with TMZ
Summer’s almost over, the season premiere of 30 Rock is less than 2 weeks ago, and cast member Judah Friedlander is hard at work showing off his forthcoming book How to Beat Up Anybody: An Instructional and Inspirational Karate Book to TMZ.
Watch the video to see what The World Champion has to say about what he was up to this summer as well as the key benefit of summer (hint: it involves boobies).
It’s Friday
A collection of amusing diversions to finish the week:
Friend of Your It List, and all-around great guy, Jeff Newelt (aka Jah Furry), participates in a meta-interview with the protagonist of web comic Red Light Properties over at Comics Alliance.
The Khan Academy continues to pump out excellent, free videos in their effort to educate the masses. I assume that you, like I, remember everything there is to know about the Calvin Cycle, but what can you recall about Napoleon’s peninsular campaigns?:
Lastly, if you haven’t watched the following video, you haven’t really lived. As the Huffington Post reports, “Councilman Phil Davison of Minerva, Ohio made a fiery speech at Wednesday evening’s Stark County Republican Party’s executive committee meeting to select a nominee to run for Stark County treasurer.” As I report, Phil Davison somehow managed to channel the late Chris Farley’s Matt “Van Down by the River” Foley character, as interpreted by Bill Murray. Prepare to have your world rocked.
Writing with a Real Clown
We asked Thomas Scott McKenzie, co-author of the just-released THE MAN BEHIND THE NOSE by Larry “Bozo” Harmon, what it was like to work side-by-side with the legendary entertainer. McKenzie, unsurprisingly, had some amusing tales from his collaboration with the late Harmon.
I got a call from a writer friend.
“I’ve just heard the most amazing, most outrageous story ever,” he said. “This tops anything an interview subject has told me.”
My buddy built a career on writing about notorious rock stars and porn performers. All of his subjects were self-admitted drug abusers of legendary proportions. And this tale topped them all? What kind of degenerate, axe-wielding, master of mayhem was he going to tell me about?
“I have three words for you: Bozo. The. Clown.”
And with that began my time in the big top universe of the world’s most famous clown and Larry Harmon, the driving force behind the icon.
At first, I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. As a country boy who grew up in the boonies, I was lucky to see any television at all, and that was if the weather was just right and you delicately grasped the antennae at a precarious angle. So I didn’t watch The Bozo Show during my childhood years. I remember seeing the WGN version of the show broadcast on their nationwide superstation when I would visit relatives lucky enough to have cable television. But I didn’t know much more about him than the obvious characteristics of a big red wig, big floppy shoes, and so forth.
In spite of my ignorance of the character, there was never any doubt in my mind that I wanted to co-author Larry Harmon’s book. Bozo is as pure a piece of Americana as baseball or apple pie or hot dogs on the Fourth of July. Any writer would be thrilled at such an opportunity.
In real life, Larry was as you might expect the world’s most famous clown to be: funny, amusing, and full of energy. But there were surprises. For example, he was intensely detail-oriented. On one version of the manuscript, I formatted some text to appear in red font.
“That’s the wrong shade of red,” he said. “It needs to be deeper, and yet more bright.” (more…)
Happy Birthday Macaulay Culkin (and some others)
There’s been a lot of attention today on the Twitters and the Facebooks and the Internets drawn to the thirtieth birthday of Home Alone star Macaulay Caulkin, starting (as far as I can tell) from the tweet from forever-young actor @GaryJBusey Macaulay Culkin turns 30 today, but I still don’t trust him to be left home alone followed by countless blogs relaying the information that Culkin will be spending his birthday “home alone” with some close friends.
In honor of Mac’s birthday, and all of us born in 1980, here’s a quick rundown of the wealth of talent born the year Reagan was elected and Lennon was killed.
January 17 – Zooey Deschanel, American actress
January 18 – Jason Segel, American actor
January 22 – Christopher Masterson, American actor
January 28 – Nick Carter, American pop singer
February 11 – Matthew Lawrence, American actor
February 12 – Christina Ricci, American actress
February 15 – Conor Oberst, American singer/songwriter
February 27 – Chelsea Clinton, First daughter
April 1 – Bijou Phillips, American actress and socialite
June 17 – Venus Williams, American tennis player
June 26 – Jason Schwartzman, American actor
July 10 – Jessica Simpson, American singer
July 20 – Gisele Bündchen, Brazilian supermodel
August 26 – Macaulay Culkin, American actor
September 9 – Michelle Williams, American actress
September 25 – T.I., American rapper
November 12 – Ryan Gosling, Canadian actor
December 18 – Christina Aguilera, American singer
December 19 – Jake Gyllenhaal, American actor
Meet Kat Von D
We are thrilled to announce the following appearances where Kat Von D will meet fans in conjunction with the release of her latest book The Tattoo Chronicles, on sale Tuesday, October 26, 2010.
If you’re unable to meet Kat on tour, pre-order your copy of The Tattoo Chronicles today.
Complete schedule after the jump.
(more…)
Special Offer: Judah Friedlander signed bookplate
On October 5, 2010, Judah Friedlander’s magnum opus: HOW TO BEAT UP ANYBODY: An Instructional and Inspirational Karate Book by The World Champion will finally be available wherever books are sold. Until then, you’ll have to use your own methods of self-preservation when confronted with assailants with 3 arms, subway gangs, ninjas, Bigfoots, and dinosaurs.
If you value your personal safety, you certainly won’t want to be the last chump on your block to get your hands on this indispensable manual. That’s why we’ve created this limited-time offer for anyone who pre-orders a copy of HOW TO BEAT UP ANYBODY.
Here’s how it works:
The first 1,000 people to email a copy of their pre-order confirmation for HOW TO BEAT UP ANYBODY from any U.S. based online retailer to Judah@HarperCollins.com will receive a free bookplate signed by The World Champion, Judah Friedlander.
Here are the two easy steps:
1.) Visit this link and place a pre-order of HOW TO BEAT UP ANYBODY from any of the listed online retailers, or any other U.S.-based online retailer of your choice.
2) Forward your book order confirmation email to Judah@HarperCollins.com by 12:00 pm (Eastern) November 5, 2010.
At the top of the email, include your full name, email address, phone number (for shipping purposes) and the mailing address to where the free signed bookplate should be shipped. The bookplate will be sent only to a valid United States mailing address. No bookplates will be shipped outside the United States. Offer valid only for orders placed before the official on-sale date of October 5, 2010.
To hold you over until you can get Judah’s book in your hands, enjoy this inspirational video:
This offer is valid though November 5, 2010 at 5:00 PM EST, while supplies last. No requests will be accepted after this time. Limited to one free bookplate per customer. Void wherever prohibited or restricted by law. Signed book plates are not available for purchase, but their estimated value is approximately $0.01.
She’s baaaack!
Apparently Rosie O’Donnell, of whom I’m a big fan, is coming back to daytime TV. She’s reportedly on board to host a talk show on Oprah’s new television network, OWN. I was pulling for her to fill one of the vacant American Idol judging spots, but instead it looks like she’ll be pitted against Ellen for the title of reigning daytime talk show queen (once her new boss Oprah hangs up her crown, of course).
In honor of Rosie’s re-emergence on the scene, I’ve put together a list of former talk show hosts I’d like to see join her in come-back land:
Arsenio Hall: The Obama of late night TV, Hall broke the color barrier back in 1989, employing a more laid-back formula that kept him on the air for five years. The show had its ups and downs, critically and ratings-wise, but it certainly broke the mold and offered something new to the staid late night talk show landscape. I recently caught Arsenio on Chelsea Lately, and to be honest, he’s pretty damn funny. What is more shocking is that the the 54 year-old comedian looked about 32. I think this dude’s been living in a cryogenic chamber for the past 15 years. Even if he doesn’t get a new talk show, he’s a prime candidate for those DirecTV ads. They wouldn’t even need to use CGI.
Chevy Chase: Okay, so the original Chevy Chase show didn’t work so well. Turns out that reading deadpan fake news lines into a camera requires a different skill set from interacting with other human beings one-on-one in an engaging way. That being said, the Chevy Chase of 1993 seems like a different animal from the one today. The slightly more robust, mellowed, almost avuncular Chevy–who’s carving out a bit of a comeback with solid work on the sitcom Community–would be a more welcome presence in America’s late night living rooms. He kind of has that Al Gore thing going on–a few extra pounds, a little less hair, and a dose of humility can go a long way.
Roseanne Barr: If the networks want to fight fire with fire, Roseanne is the way to go. Rosie certainly turns her filter off from time to time, but Roseanne will speak the truth (or her truth) without exception. Sure she was somewhat of an uncontrollable mess on her short-lived daytime gig, but that’s nothing that today’s Snookie-obsessed, RHWONJ-watching public can’t handle (as long as the producers don’t decide to start each show with the Star Spangled Banner).
Mustaine by Dave Mustaine: On Sale Today!
The fall and rise of a heavy metal icon
From his early, crazy days as a founding member of Metallica, Dave Mustaine has seen and experienced everything in the world of rock n’ roll. From his young triumphs and ignominious ouster from the band for his hard-partying ways to his later rule over Megadeth, one of the most successful heavy metal bands of all time, Mustaine tells it all. Outrageously candid and in-your-face, this is a classic rock memoir —an insider’s look at the loud and sordid world of heavy metal.
Available now wherever books are sold
Susan Lucci to Pen Autobiography
New York, NY (July 28, 2010) – It Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, announced today that it will publish television legend Susan Lucci’s autobiography in 2011. As the most famous face in daytime television history, Lucci has held audiences spellbound for years as the sexy, sassy, beautiful “woman you love to hate,” Erica Kane on ABC-TV’s All My Children.
The book was acquired by Lisa Sharkey, Senior Vice President and Director of Creative Development for HarperCollins from Mel Berger of William Morris Endeavor. Vice President and Executive Editor, Hope Innelli will edit the book.
In her autobiography Lucci will recount her forty year-long career on All My Children, playing the beautiful and controversial character. As Erica Kane, Lucci has experienced many intense moments on screen: married many times on air, was one of daytime’s first working mothers, and has dealt with many of life’s greatest tragedies. In addition to providing readers with an exciting and satisfying behind the scenes look at her career, Lucci will devote much of the book to her personal life off-camera. Lucci will reveal information on her devastating car accident, her miscarriage, and the joy that came with finally winning an Emmy in 1999 after eighteen previous nominations. She recounts her experiences on Broadway, performing to sold-out audiences across the country as a cabaret, nightclub performer, and as a celebrity dancer on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Named one of Barbara Walters’ “Ten Most Fascinating People,” Lucci will give readers an intimate look into her life as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, philanthropist, entrepreneur and iconic actress.
“I am so excited to share my life experiences with my fans,” Susan Lucci said. “It Books gave me the extraordinary opportunity to tell my story.”
About It Books: Launched in September 2009, It Books is dedicated to publishing exceptional books in entertainment, music, fashion, design, art, celebrity, pop culture and sports. It Books has published numerous New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times bestsellers including Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern, Getting the Pretty Back by Molly Ringwald, Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway by Cherie Currie, I Love Your Style by Amanda Brooks, and Satiristas by Paul Provenza and Dan Dion. Upcoming publications include Blow by Blow by Detmar Blow with Tom Skyes, The Red Hot Chili Peppers by The Red Hot Chili Peppers, How to Beat Up Anybody by Judah Friedlander, True Whit by Whitney Port, Everyone Loves You When You’re Dead by Neil Strauss and Al Jaffee’s Mad Life by Mary Lou Weisman. It Books is an imprint HarperCollinsPublishers, one of the largest English-language publishers in the world and a subsidiary of News Corporation (NYSE: NWS, NWS.A; ASX: NWS, NWSLV). It Books can be found online at www.YourItList.com, www.Facebook.com/YourItList, www.Twitter.com/YourItList and www.Twitter.com/ItBooks.
PR Contacts:
Alberto G. Rojas, Senior Director of Publicity, 212-207-7891; alberto.rojas@harpercollins.com
Joseph Papa, Associate Publicist, 212-207-7326; joseph.papa@harpercollins.com
“Love Don’t Live Here Anymore”: Exes Who Still Rock Together
Is it better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all? Who knows—especially when you’re stuck 24/7 in a band with your former beloved. That’s why I give major props to bands like Paramore, who managed to stick together even when the romantic relationship between guitarist Josh Farro and singer Hayley Williams fell apart. Neon Trees is another one who soldiered through the love storm. Rilo Kiley, too.
And don’t even get me started on Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham from Fleetwood Mac.
If you ask me, being in a band with an ex-bf/gf is my idea of hell. However, if you can make it work—and manage to churn out some amazing lovelorn tunes in the process—then hats off to you. (This hat in particular.)
That’s why this post is for the lovers, Richard Ashcroft-style. Without further adieu, here are my top picks for bands who didn’t go through a breakdown after an internal breakup.
EXES: Jack White (vocals/guitar) and Meg White (drums)
BREAKING DOWN THE BREAKUP: When non-Detroiters started paying attention to the White Stripes, it was because of the Lego-rific video for “Fell In Love With A Girl,” off their peppermint-schtick sophomore album White Blood Cells—well, that and the fact that Jack and Meg White lied about being brother and sister. Yup, the dynamic duo tied the knot back in 1996 but eventually divorced in 2000. Despite their romantic parting of the ways, the Whites soldiered on and in one fell incestuous swoop, secured their place in rock ’n’ roll infamy. They’ve been playing side-by-side ever since—although Jack fools around with Raconteurs and Dead Weather in his spare time. The only one we hear Meg fools around with is Jackson Smith, Patti Smith’s son and Meg’s fiancé.
2. NO DOUBT
EXES: Gwen Stefani (vocals) and Tony Kanal (bass)
BREAKING DOWN THE BREAKUP: Unless you’ve been living under a boulder for the past 13 years—or, more than likely, you weren’t even conceived yet—everyone knows that Gwen and Tony used to date. Before the glitz and the g-L.A.M.B.-our, the two were your typical SoCal, Madness-loving, high-school sweethearts but, unfortunately, young love didn’t last and the breakup inspired Stefani to pen No Doubt’s biggest song “Don’t Speak.” Understandably, it’s gotta be awkward for Kanal to finger-pick the tune’s bass lines every night onstage; however, it seems like everyone’s moved on and is better for the heartbreak. After all, Stefani went on to marry babelicious Gavin Rossdale and pop out two illegally cute lil’ boys. Kanal, on the other hand, went on to marry… well… no one. (Sucks to be him!)
3. THE SOUNDS
EXES: Maja Ivarsson (vocals) and Fredrik Nilsson (drums)
BREAKING DOWN THE BREAKUP: Back in 2004, when the Sounds started rocking out “Seven Days A Week” on Warped Tour, it was widely known in dance-punk circles that Ivarsson and Nilsson were an item. However, when the band returned to Warped two years later, the Swedish lovers were no longer together. The band was still a tight-knit unit, but it seemed like with the Sounds’ second album, Dying To Say This To You—complete with it’s suggestive lesbian-esque cover and song titles like “Queen Of Apology” and “Hurt You”—Ivarsson was also trying to say something to Nilsson and the rest of the world: She was a switch-hitter. (“She’s my first girlfriend,” admitted Ivarsson in an interview with Out Magazine regarding her three-year current relationship. “I’ve never had a girlfriend before.”)
Wanna read more of my musings? Hoof it over to http://www.leslie-simon.com. Plus, if you’re not following me (@redpatterndress) on Twitter, what are you waiting for? Don’t make me call Kingston Rossdale and have him throw a temper tantrum on your collective tushes.
