It’s not often you see an autobiography appear from someone who’s been dead for eight years— especially when the work is as important to music fans as a first-hand account of the fatal accident that took the life of Eddie Cochran. So when “Summertime Blues: A True Rock & Roll Adventure With Eddie Cochran” as written by Eddie’s fiancé, songwriter Sharon Sheeley (Ravenhawk Books; ISBN: 978-1-893660-18-2) appeared, it was easy to be a little surprised— and excited.

The book is seeing the light of day now through the efforts of Sharon’s son, Shannon Burg, who told me the accounts came from Sharon’s journal, which she had intended to publish in book form before her death.

The main theme of the book is the love affair between Sharon and Eddie, whom she termed her “soulmate.” The first time she met Eddie (in the Everly Brothers’ hotel room), she said to herself, “One day, I’m going to marry that boy.” Sadly, it was not to be. While traveling to the London airport on Easter Sunday, 1960 for a return to the States during a break in his British tour, Eddie was killed when their car blew a tire and crashed into a lamppost. Headliner Gene Vincent, Eddie’s good friend, suffered a broken collarbone and ribs. Sharon's legs and back were broken and she credited her faith and a miracle that, despite doctor’s opinions to the contrary, she ever walked again. In fact, she was clinically dead herself for three minutes and had what she said was an out-of-body experience. Her painful efforts to come to grips with her husband-to-be’s death and her ultimate forgiveness of the driver responsible for the accident are poignantly expressed.

But while the two lovers set the tone for the book, there are countless other great tales in “Summertime Blues.” We hear how Sharon wrote “Poor Little Fool” after dating Don Everly, then being warned by Phil that his brother was married. She then conned Ricky Nelson into recording the song by claiming Elvis was planning to do so upon his return from the Army. Speaking of the King, Sharon recounts a date with Elvis to see the movie, “Pajama Game,” that ended abruptly when he was spotted by the theatregoers. The arrogant Paul Anka gets “tarred” (with cold cream) and feathered by LaVern Baker when “Little Miss Sharecropper” has enough of Paul’s antics. There’s also the story of how Eddie, Freddie Cannon and Jack Scott rescued Sharon from a lecherous hotel house detective. The book shows us the real Johnny and Dorsey Burnette, Buddy Holly and even a side of Chuck Berry most have never seen. Plus there are seventy pages of photographs and memorabilia.

Unfortunately, though there’s a small epilogue, the book ends shortly after Eddie’s death, leaving the reader craving more. For example, though disk jockey and “Shindig” TV host Jimmy O’Neill is a part of Sharon’s story, their five year marriage in the sixties is absent from the book, as is her songwriting collaboration with Jackie DeShannon on hits like “Dum Dum” by Brenda Lee. Sharon’s son tells me a sequel may yet see the light of day and, with the care he’s shown in preserving Sharon and Eddie’s story, I’m hopeful that will indeed happen.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1893660184/ref=nosim/oldiesmusicA/

- RON SMITH
Http://www.OldiesMusic.com

TORNADO RELIEF CONCERT

Horseshoe Casino Presents WLS 890AM’s “Roe & Roeper Live Holiday Extravaganza” on December 10 Benefiting the USO followed by the "Voices of Rock Radio" Benefiting Illinois Communities Affected by Recent Tornadoes
“Roe & Roeper Live Holiday Extravaganza” live from The Venue from 2:00-6:00 p.m. and “Voices of Rock Radio” starting at 7:30 p.m.
Chicago, IL (August 31, 2010) – Join Horseshoe Casino for the ultimate evening on Friday, December 10 benefiting two wonderful charitable organizations at The Venue – the USO of Illinois and Illinois Communities Affected by Recent Tornadoes.
Enjoy a live WLS 890AM “Roe & Roeper Live Holiday Extravaganza” show at The Venue from 2:00-6:00 p.m. followed by Streator’s own international recording artist Kevin Chalfant with "Voices of Rock Radio" members Jimi Jamison, Derek St. Holmes, Wally Palmar and John Cafferty at 7:30pm.
“We’re thrilled to take the show on the road again now with Richard Roeper joining Jim, Christina, and me,” says WLS 890AM’s Roe Conn. “It’s truly an honor to partner with the USO for this holiday show. The USO is an organization that I have been intimately involved with for the last five years.”
The “Roe & Roeper Live Holiday Extravaganza” gives listeners a chance to experience the “The Roe Conn Show with Richard Roeper” live with the complete cast – including the famous Canarble Wagon. Since the show covers every aspect of pop culture, expect the unexpected when it comes to guests at this holiday themed event. Tickets to this portion of the day are free but are only available by listening to WLS 890AM.
The opportunity to support worthy organizations continues through the evening. On June 5th, 2010, a series of tornadoes hit several towns in a rural area 100 miles southwest of Chicago. Touchdowns in Peoria, Streator, Dwight, Elmwood and Kankakee left behind flattened homes, downed power lines and, in one instance, a derailed train. The communities affected by the devastation were left with the task of rebuilding their homes, their lives and their well being.
“Shortly after tornadoes hit Illinois communities this year, I decided to put on a “Voices of Rock Radio” benefit concert that would secure some much-needed funds to support rebuilding efforts and counseling needed to cope with losses,” says Kevin Chalfant. “Due to our commitment to significantly increase funds for the cause, we were thrilled to have WLS 890AM come on board to help support our cause and therefore rescheduled the show for December 10.”
Many parties have contributed efforts to support this event including the Horseshoe Casino, WLS 890AM, Talent Concepts Inc., Clique Productions and Dream Machines Car Club, who are proud to present this all-star benefit concert at The Venue at Horseshoe Casino (777 Casino Center Drive in Hammond, Indiana).
The “Voices of Rock Radio” will be donating their time performing at The Venue, a 2500 seat theater. Currently Kevin Chalfant is a member of “Voices of Rock Radio,” a group of national recording artists who tour together. He is a former lead singer for Journey and The Storm and was instrumental in the Alan Parsons Live Project and Shooting Star. Other "Voices of Rock Radio" members who will be performing along with Kevin Chalfant include Jimi Jamison (famous for several hits including "Eye Of The Tiger," “Can’t Hold Back,“ and "High On You"), Derek St. Holmes (vocalist and guitarist for the Ted Nugent Band known for such hits as "Cat Scratch Fever," "Stranglehold" and "Hey Baby"), Wally Palmar (lead singer for The Romantics who had a #1 hit with "What I Like About You" along with other hit singles such as "Talking In Your Sleep") and John Cafferty (who, along with The Beaver Brown Band, is best known for the #1 hits "On The Dark Side" and "C.I.T.Y." that were recorded for the popular 1983 movie, Eddie and the Cruisers). Together, they present an energetic concert filled with hit songs they made famous!
In addition to seeking corporate sponsors for the benefit, the website www.TornadoBenefit.com has been launched for individual donations. It contains photos of some of the devastation, information about the concert, and an area where you can make a donation. Kevin Chalfant is optimistic that, with the support of local corporations and citizens, the proceeds from the concert can bring some relief to the community.
Admission to the WLS 890AM “Roe & Roeper Live Holiday Extravaganza” is free and the “Voices of Rock Radio” ticket prices are $10 and available by calling The Venue at Horseshoe Casino box office at 219-473-6060 or www.thevenue-chicago.com. Buy your tickets now to help support these great causes.
A limited number of VIP Suites will also be available for the show, please call 630-373-3689 for VIP Suite inquiries.
Please check out the following web sites for added information: 　
www.thevenue-chicago.com
www.voicesofrockradio.com
www.TornadoBenefit.com
www.myspace.com/kevinchalfant
www.facebook.com/pages/Kevin-Chalfant/124217086915
www.wlsam.com


About WLS-AM: WLS 890AM is a 50,000-watt radio station reaching over 38 states from Chicago, IL with a mass-appeal talk format. WLS 890AM is the home of the Don & Roma Show, the Cisco Cotto Show, Rush Limbaugh, the Roe Conn Show w/Richard Roeper, and Notre Dame football/basketball. The legendary station has been on the air for over 80 years. WLS 890AM can be found online at www.wlsam.com
ABOUT USO OF ILLINOIS
About the USO of Illinois: For more than 67 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services for the troops. For more information on the USO of Illinois, please visit our Web site at www.uso.org/illinois
ABOUT HORSESHOE CASINO
The all new $500 million Horseshoe Casino, a Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. property, just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago is the premier entertainment and gaming destination in Chicagoland. Where legendary gaming lives on, Horseshoe boasts more than 350,000 square feet with over 3,000 slot machines, over 100 table games, one of the largest poker rooms in the Midwest, and more. The Venue at Horseshoe Casino is proud to offer the ultimate concert and entertainment destination and premier experience in a flexible space that can hold up to 3,300 guests. Dining elegance is not overlooked and guests can choose from a variety of dining options including; Jack Binion's Steak House which overlooks Lake Michigan and recent winner of the 2009 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, around-the-globe variety at the Village Square Buffet, and a taste of Chicago at Benny's Pub and Eatery.
For more information, please visit: www.chicagohorseshoe.com.

Must be 21. Know when to stop before you start.® Gambling problem? Call 1.800.9.WITH.IT.
©2010 Harrah's License Company, LLC.


MEDIA CONTACTS
Voices of Rock Radio: Deanna Lombardo, 630-373-3689, email Glad2meetu2@comcast.net
Voices of Rock Radio: Jeff Albright at The Albright Entertainment Group at 770-664-5977, email: RockStarPR@aol.com
Horseshoe Casino: Leah Eisenstein, The Experiential Agency, 312-239-2339,
email: leah@expagency.com

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