Recent Reviews:
Billy Joel: The Definitive Biography by Fred Sharers (received through Blogging for Books)
4 stars
When I left for college in the late nineties I took just several c.d.'s from my quite large collection. Of those, one of Billy Joel's best-of collections served not only as a backdrop to my hours of studying but also as the starting point of a great friendship with the girls across the hall. That said, I went into this book as a definite fan and I was not disappointed by this comprehensive and entertaining account of the musician's life.
Detailing Billy Joel's family background, the first chapter looks at his prominent grandfather's harrowing escape from Germany during the Holocaust. I was so fascinated by this story that I wish more space had been dedicated to this part of his history. It then delves into his early life, first bands and initial record deals. I found this part sort of a slough to get through but I am sure that those more interested in the business side of music will find it interesting. What I loved most about this book is the incredible amount of people and information that this author had access to. I have heard that this was originally supposed to be Joel's autobiography which may contribute to the number of insiders who were willing to be interviewed.
Overall, I loved this book. I think it provides an authentically complete biography of a famous entertainer whose love of entertaining has persisted over the years. This may be one of those books that appeals to fans more than just the general reader but I definitely recommend it. I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review.
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