Steve Goodman: Facing the Music
Steve Goodman wrote “Good mornin’ America, how are ya” into the nation’s consciousness, becoming one of the most respected singer/songwriters of the 1970s and early 80s. With warmth and wit, he charmed better-known peers, top critics, and countless fans. Yet this 5-foot-2 troubadour nearly lost his chance at adult life. Diagnosed with leukemia at age 20, Goodman kept it a secret for 16 years as he sang for a generation that assumed it would live forever.

This biography scrutinizes a theme that Goodman knew all too well: when death is imminent, we grasp that life is about connecting with others. Goodman’s childhood, the untold full story of “City of New Orleans,” his launching by the unlikely duo of Kris Kristofferson and Paul Anka, his teaming with “wild and crazy” Steve Martin for more than 200 shows, his landmark recordings and two Grammy awards all get extensive attention in this biography. The book delves into his personal and professional life, drawing on over 850 original interviews with Goodman’s family, childhood and adult friends, and a diversity of celebrities.

“From the cradle to the crypt, it’s a mighty short trip,” Goodman wrote in a song shortly before his 1984 death. This biography verifies that the universality of his work — hilarious, political, romantic, or all three rolled into one — resonates deeply in today’s musical firmament.
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Steve Goodman: Facing the Music
Steve Goodman wrote “Good mornin’ America, how are ya” into the nation’s consciousness, becoming one of the most respected singer/songwriters of the 1970s and early 80s. With warmth and wit, he charmed better-known peers, top critics, and countless fans. Yet this 5-foot-2 troubadour nearly lost his chance at adult life. Diagnosed with leukemia at age 20, Goodman kept it a secret for 16 years as he sang for a generation that assumed it would live forever.

This biography scrutinizes a theme that Goodman knew all too well: when death is imminent, we grasp that life is about connecting with others. Goodman’s childhood, the untold full story of “City of New Orleans,” his launching by the unlikely duo of Kris Kristofferson and Paul Anka, his teaming with “wild and crazy” Steve Martin for more than 200 shows, his landmark recordings and two Grammy awards all get extensive attention in this biography. The book delves into his personal and professional life, drawing on over 850 original interviews with Goodman’s family, childhood and adult friends, and a diversity of celebrities.

“From the cradle to the crypt, it’s a mighty short trip,” Goodman wrote in a song shortly before his 1984 death. This biography verifies that the universality of his work — hilarious, political, romantic, or all three rolled into one — resonates deeply in today’s musical firmament.
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Steve Goodman: Facing the Music

Steve Goodman: Facing the Music

by Clay Eals
Steve Goodman: Facing the Music

Steve Goodman: Facing the Music

by Clay Eals

Paperback(No Edition)

$39.95 
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Overview

Steve Goodman wrote “Good mornin’ America, how are ya” into the nation’s consciousness, becoming one of the most respected singer/songwriters of the 1970s and early 80s. With warmth and wit, he charmed better-known peers, top critics, and countless fans. Yet this 5-foot-2 troubadour nearly lost his chance at adult life. Diagnosed with leukemia at age 20, Goodman kept it a secret for 16 years as he sang for a generation that assumed it would live forever.

This biography scrutinizes a theme that Goodman knew all too well: when death is imminent, we grasp that life is about connecting with others. Goodman’s childhood, the untold full story of “City of New Orleans,” his launching by the unlikely duo of Kris Kristofferson and Paul Anka, his teaming with “wild and crazy” Steve Martin for more than 200 shows, his landmark recordings and two Grammy awards all get extensive attention in this biography. The book delves into his personal and professional life, drawing on over 850 original interviews with Goodman’s family, childhood and adult friends, and a diversity of celebrities.

“From the cradle to the crypt, it’s a mighty short trip,” Goodman wrote in a song shortly before his 1984 death. This biography verifies that the universality of his work — hilarious, political, romantic, or all three rolled into one — resonates deeply in today’s musical firmament.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781550227321
Publisher: ECW Press
Publication date: 05/15/2007
Edition description: No Edition
Pages: 800
Product dimensions: 8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 1.90(d)

About the Author

Clay Eals has written for several regional newspapers, including the Portland Oregonian. He is the editor of West Side Story, and the author of Every Time a Bell Rings, a biography of Karolyn Grimes, who played Zuzu in It’s a Wonderful Life. He lives in Seattle, Washington.

Table of Contents


Preface: 'In his last days, dying, he was more alive than ever'   Studs Terkel     1
Foreword: 'There was nothing phony about Steve Goodman'   Arlo Guthrie     2
Introduction: 'You offer your love and goodness to the world'   Clay Eals     4
'Glad you're alive - spread it around': May 21, 1984     8
A voice that 'brought you to the music': 1948-62     28
'He was just infectious - the entire world was his clique: 1962-65     58
'He was a fireball of energy - he just exuded happiness': 1965-68     98
'This was the time to do it - either do it or don't': 1969     138
'His genius and humility were the magnets': 1970-May 1971     176
'It wasn't about ego or attitude - it was just this hunger': May-December 1971     220
'That's what it's like when you're not in it for the chips': January-July 1972     262
'I'll sing you a medley of Arlo Guthrie's hit record': July-December 1972     304
'He was intent on engaging in severe acts of communication': January 1973-June 1974     338
'I want to sing to the widest variety of people I know of': June 1974-December 1975     378
'There is no one influence?' 'Yeah, it's the hectic eclectic': 1976-February 1977     422
'I'm going to communicate with you if it kills me': March 1977-March 1978     468
'This place is on fire, and I know the music has to reflect that': April-December 1978     512
'He couldn't play to his audience because they wouldn't let him': January 1979-April 1980     544
"I hope to continue this search for what is called pop': April 1980-July 1982     568
'You're dead, you're alive, you're dead, you're alive...': July 1982-January 1984     610
'You just don't understand, you don't get it: I've gotta do this: February-September 1984     656
'The big bang in the little shape...this really vivid, burning coal': September 1984-beyond     688
On the Record: Discs, videos, books and sites     730
Acknowledgments: 'A village in the thousands'     742
Index: Including photo credits     748
CD Annotation: 'A good friend is dead and gone, but his song ain't over yet'     778
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