Whatever Happened To--?

Library Journal

Purporting to tell the curious reader what has happened to various pop and rock music personalities, this would seem to be an innocuous purchase for public library collections. But caveat emptor. First, there is sufficient error or omission to negate any reference value. The entry for Jerry Lee Lewis has him living in Ireland, which he hasn't for at least four years. John Denver was killed in a plane crash in 1997, not 1977. Rhythm and blues legend Jackie Wilson had his coma-inducing heart attack in 1975, not 1969, as is reported. Further, there is no entry for rock pioneer Little Richard. Since the title comes from England, it is heavy on entries for British stars, many of whom have not made the dent in American popular culture that, say, the Beatles or the Rolling Stones have. Harry, an authority on the Beatles, may be more accurate on the British entries, but it would take an experienced evaluator of the British music scene to discern as much. The book includes three appendixes, one entitled "In Memoriam" (singers who have left our vale of tears), one of fan clubs (with addresses), and one of fanzines (also with addresses). While the book does provide some enjoyable reading in spots, it is indeed "spotty" in quality and hence not recommended. For better coverage, though in a different format, libraries can collect The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (Watson Guptill, 1997. rev. ed.).--David M. Turkalo, Suffolk Univ. Law Sch. Lib., Boston Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.