Lisa Torem

In the 1960s, brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson, their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine created the California Sound through contagious riffs and songs about hot rods, surfers and blossoming romance. Then, in the mid-1960s, a youthful Brian Wilson changed the face of the industry, not only as co-songwriter and arranger, but as an autonomous studio producer. The band has sold over 100 million records internationally. They surfaced prior to the British Invasion, spearheaded by The Beatles, but became as commercially and culturally influential as the Fab Four during their prime. Intrigued by advances in technology, Wilson featured the groundbreaking Electro-Theremin in 'Good Vibrations,' thus helping pave the way for experimentation by future musicians in all genres. In The Beach Boys 1965-1979 On Track, the author chronicles the words and music that galvanized generations and includes essential insights from film directors, songwriters, drummers, synth experts, horn players and arrangers, managers, engineers and musical directors who witnessed the band's phenomenal success first-hand. From The Beach Boys Today! To L.A. (Light Album), mellifluous, multi-part harmonies and a hybrid of distinctive styles emerged.

In 1985, Suzanne Vega released her debut, garnering platinum status in the U.K and this New York-based singer-songwriter's self-titled album claimed the number 80 spot on Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Best Albums of the Eighties. AUTHOR: Lisa Torem, a rock journalist and musician with an M.A. in Linguistics, has interviewed, among others, members of: Alice Cooper, The Animals, Aerosmith, Cream, The Kinks, The Faces, Dave Brubeck, Jethro Tull, Thin Lizzy, The Zombies, 10cc, Judy Collins, Donovan, Darlene Love, Sarah McLachlan, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Jimmy Webb and Dweezil Zappa. Interviews, features, live/CD reviews have appeared in American Blues Scene, The Chicago Reader, Grateful Web, Newcity, pennyblackmusic.co.uk., Popmatters and The Big Takeover. Lisa co-wrote Through the Eye of the Tiger and All That Glitters and wrote On Track: Tori Amos and On Track.

‘In the beginning,’ Billy Joel entertained Long Island locals, with The Hassles and Attila, prior to forging a solo career in 1971. One year later, the singer-songwriter-pianist captivated college students when ‘Captain Jack’ dominated the Philadelphia airwaves. ‘And so, it goes…’ Cold Spring Harbor was rife with barrelhouse piano and tear-stained balladry but with Turnstiles Joel realised his dream of forming a stellar band. The success of The Stranger led to sold-out arenas and 52nd Street honoured the heyday of American jazz, while The Nylon Curtain highlighted socio-economic inequities and wartime brotherhood. 1993’s River of Dreams fused reggae and world music. Then, in the early 2000’s, his celebration of classical works ushered in a sea change. Unquestionably, Billy’s catalogue has thrived, despite constantly changing trends in the music industry. Over a fifty-plus year span, many of his relatable songs have become standards, covered by countless artists. The third best-selling solo artist in the U.S. has continued to attract multi-generational audiences across the planet, so if you’re ‘all in the mood for a melody,’ read on. Billy Joel On Track contains behind-the-scenes stories and an analysis of Joel’s extensive studio recordings, many of which became top 40 hits in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. ...

Former fashion model, charismatic vocalist and devoted lover of David Bowie during his 1970s golden era, Chicago-born Ava Cherry waited for just the right moment to tell her story, and that moment is now...All That Glitters begins with Ava's musical inspirations, family allegiances, Catholic education and reaction to living on Chicago's South Side. Donning faded denim and "lots of fringe" during her early teen years, she frequents the all-black, opulent Regal Theater, where she dreams about performing live after watching Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson. The free-spirited Ava finds an early path into the world of fashion and entertainment as a young model. Fast forward to a New York after-party, where Ava's then-manager introduces her to flame-haired David Bowie; he's instantly attracted to Ava's short-cropped, dyed hair and down-to-earth persona. What he doesn't suspect is that Ava has spent hours staring at the rock star's image on the Ziggy Stardust cover while dropping the needle on each track and memorizing all the lyrics. Bowie notices something else: When entering the club Genesis, Ava, along with A-lister celebrities, had broken into song, so it was only natural that the still-rising star would ask her, "Can you sing?" While singing wasn't exactly Ava's major career goal, she instinctively nods yes. Bowie asks Ava to tour in Japan with his backing band, The Spiders from Mars. She hurriedly packs up her apartment, gives notice to her employer and says goodbye to her parents, but when a telegram from Bowie's camp arrives alerting her that the tour had fallen through, Ava sets into place an intrepid plan... Ultimately, Ava and Bowie have a multi-year affair during which time Ava influences Bowie's own career vis a vis trips to New York's Apollo Theater, thereby setting the stage for the award-winning Young Americans project. During this time, she also befriends young backup singer Luther Vandross. In the 1980s, Ava becomes a Versace-clad international backing singer for Vandross. Life is exciting, but rehearsals prove grueling. The pressure to succeed is on, as Ava feels constantly judged by her contemporaries-she sweats bullets when Diana Ross occupies a front row seat. On the other hand, Ava enjoys mentoring the likes of a young Whitney Houston. Finally, Ava returns home to embark on her debut recording project, Ripe, helmed by producer Curtis Mayfield (Super Fly). She then works on the follow-up, Streetcar Named Desire, with producer Bob Esty (Bette Midler, The Pointer Sisters, Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer). While Ava is grateful for the opportunity to work with such gifted producers, there is a dark side; she sadly discovers that talent is not enough-Ava faces discrimination on the airwaves and her solo career struggles. Throughout this memoir, Ava recounts fascinating tales of memorable times spent in the orbit of a multitude of artists such as Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon and Yoko Ono and Bob Marley, among many others. She also has a heartwarming moment with Frank Sinatra and a humorous encounter in England with the Queen Mother. What will quickly become apparent to the reader is Ava's resilience, as she branches out into rap and contemporary dance music. Ava's appearances at major Bowie fests and museum exhibits around the world keep her name front and center in the post-Bowie/Vandross years. As Ava's contemporary dance records continue to soar up the international charts, she enjoys reconnecting with her longtime fans as well as inspiring the next generation of artists.

Former fashion model, charismatic vocalist and devoted lover of David Bowie during his 1970s golden era, Chicago-born Ava Cherry waited for just the right moment to tell her story, and that moment is now...All That Glitters begins with Ava's musical inspirations, family allegiances, Catholic education and reaction to living on Chicago's South Side. Donning faded denim and "lots of fringe" during her early teen years, she frequents the all-black, opulent Regal Theater, where she dreams about performing live after watching Aretha Franklin and Michael Jackson. The free-spirited Ava finds an early path into the world of fashion and entertainment as a young model. Fast forward to a New York after-party, where Ava's then-manager introduces her to flame-haired David Bowie; he's instantly attracted to Ava's short-cropped, dyed hair and down-to-earth persona. What he doesn't suspect is that Ava has spent hours staring at the rock star's image on the Ziggy Stardust cover while dropping the needle on each track and memorizing all the lyrics. Bowie asks Ava to tour in Japan with his backing band, The Spiders from Mars. She hurriedly packs up her apartment, gives notice to her employer and says goodbye to her parents, but when a telegram from Bowie's camp arrives alerting her that the tour had fallen through, Ava sets into place an intrepid plan... Ultimately, Ava and Bowie have a multi-year affair during which time Ava influences Bowie's own career vis a vis trips to New York's Apollo Theater, thereby setting the stage for the award-winning Young Americans project. During this time, she also befriends young backup singer Luther Vandross. In the 1980s, Ava becomes a Versace-clad international backing singer for Vandross. Life is exciting, but rehearsals prove grueling. The pressure to succeed is on, as Ava feels constantly judged by her contemporaries-she sweats bullets when Diana Ross occupies a front row seat. On the other hand, Ava enjoys mentoring the likes of a young Whitney Houston. Finally, Ava returns home to embark on her debut recording project, Ripe, helmed by producer Curtis Mayfield (Super Fly). She then works on the follow-up, Streetcar Named Desire, with producer Bob Esty (Bette Midler, The Pointer Sisters, Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer). While Ava is grateful for the opportunity to work with such gifted producers, there is a dark side; she sadly discovers that talent is not enough-Ava faces discrimination on the airwaves. She is championed by former Blood, Sweat and Tears drummer/producer Bobby Colomby for one of her breakout albums, but Ava's solo career struggles, nonetheless. Throughout this memoir, Ava recounts fascinating tales of memorable times spent in the orbit of a multitude of artists such as Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon and Yoko Ono and Bob Marley, among many others. She also has a heartwarming moment with Frank Sinatra and a humorous encounter in England with the Queen Mother. What will quickly become apparent to the reader is Ava's resilience, as she branches out into rap and contemporary dance music and forges an enviable collaboration with a world-class Portuguese guitarist and Chicago "House" icon Frankie Knuckles. Ava's appearances at major Bowie fests and museum exhibits around the world keep her name front and center in the post-Bowie/Vandross years. As Ava's contemporary dance records continue to soar up the international charts, she enjoys reconnecting with her longtime fans as well as inspiring the next generation of artists.

In 1992, Singer, pianist and composer Tori Amos achieved fame with the intensely personal solid gold record, Little Earthquakes, the first of fifteen studio albums. Each new recording cut new ground both musically and thematically. Since then, Amos has performed world-wide, both as a soloist and also accompanied, by a rhythm section, an octet or an orchestra. Her projects have ranged from the musical, A Light Princess to the classically-inspired Night of Hunters. Grammy nominations include: Best Alt. Album for Under The Pink, Boys for Pele and From The Choirgirl Hotel and Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for 'Strange Little Girls.' Amos was the first female artist to chart in the Billboard Top ten in Classical, Alternative and Rock genres simultaneously for Night of Hunters. She has been strongly involved in Native American issues and was the first spokesperson for RAINN, the largest, anti-sexual violence organization in the U.S. This book provides a track-by-track analysis of those essential recorded works, starting from Tori Amos' late 1980s synth-pop beginnings through 2017's illuminating Native Invader

"Hey, yo, Jim ...This is Sylvester Stallone. Give me a call ..." It was these words that would set Jim Peterik on the road to rock 'n' roll immortality. After he and his Survivor bandmates recorded "Eye of the Tiger" for the Rocky III soundtrack, the song would go on to earn a Grammy, an Oscar nomination, reach triple platinum status--and become one of the most recognizable tunes in music history. But there's much more to the story of Survivor and its founding member, Jim Peterik, than meets the eye. As one of the most prolific songwriters of his generation, Peterik has cowritten songs with some of the most famous bands and artists of our time, including 38 Special ("Caught Up in You," "Hold on Loosely"), Sammy Hagar ("Heavy Metal"), The Beach Boys, The Doobie Brothers, REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick, and many more. Now, for the first time, Peterik is sharing his stories. Filled with tales from Peterik's life in rock 'n' roll, Through the Eye of the Tiger documents his early days of success with The Ides of March ("Vehicle"), through the often torturous power struggles within Survivor, and the giddy highs that accompany a trail of worldwide hits. From going to a party in Led Zeppelin's hotel room (and turning right back out the door) to escorting a disoriented Janis Joplin back to her hotel room after opening her show in Calgary, Peterik's accounts will surprise and delight. Through the Eye of the Tiger is more than just a memoir of a songwriting legend; it's a classic rock 'n' roll story told through the eyes of someone who has lived through it all--and through the Eye of the Tiger.