The Funk Queen
Dawn Silva
Reviews
THE FUNK QUEEN An Autobiography by Dawn Silva
- Critically Acclaimed Reviews -
From - Journalists ~ Educators ~ Scholars ~ Music Critics ~ Grammy Award Winners ~ Songwriters ~
Musicians ~ Vocalists ~ Political Activists ~ Radio Hosts ~ Historians ~ Readers, and Film Directors
Book #262
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Jim McCarthy ~ Author, Music Historian, East Sussex Great Britain
“When I received Dawn Silva’s superb new book, I wondered what was in the package at first. It felt like somebody had sent me some heavy bricks, - the parcel was that heavy. And what a book it is!! A large glossy paged coffee table formatted tome. Presented
in a wonderful sturdy, protected cardboard boxing. Inside, thick slip sheets are included to protect the book. Opening the
front cover, and nestling in the endpapers are a facsimile ticket stub and a wonderful illustrated color poster heralding
The Funk Queen. This is not just a lovely looking book, its a celebration of that whole slamming, funky scene
that arose and jammed out in my favorite period for music.”
“The book contains the dope on Sly Stone, The Black Panthers, Parliament, George Clinton and Funkadelic,
Gary Shider, Was Not Was with Wayne Kramer (MC5), Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Miles, Eddie “Maggot Brain” Hazel (RIP)
Bernie Worrell (RIP). Plus more insights into Marvin Gaye’s last tour era, and a personal flame,
Charlie Wilson fronting The Gap Band.”
“Dawn has a strong personality. Being a woman in this machismo music scene takes some doing. Dawn has survived the inevitable excessive drug scene, the excessive wealth in those torrid days of the U.S. Music Industry; the personal violence towards her and much more… You have excelled yourself Dawn……. You must be super proud and SUPER BAD!! Excellence! ***Jim
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Book #559
Ray Robinson
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TV Host @ Metro News, DJ @ WOUV 95.9FM Radio, Journalist and former
Administrative Assistant to the Cleveland Mayor ~ Cleveland, Ohio
Attention all Funkateers. Pay very close attention to the red light that is blinking just beyond
the reaches of your internal musical metronome called your mood control.
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The alarm has been sounded around the globe to bring great awareness and attention to a literary masterpiece
penned by a member of thee most creative band ever assembled.“Dawn Silva-Funk Queen “
is a piece of history that has never been told in this manner. Until now.
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Silva, a member of George Clinton’s family of funky thangs to play with, and the lead singer for “The Brides of Funkenstein”,
takes her readers on a ride inside of the massive mothership with this prize. Her pen glides so effortlessly through
dates, places, tours, parties, people, drugs, disagreements and darkness in this colorful piece of work.
Many scholars, writers and fans are calling her art “the Funk Bible”. It is undoubtedly the quintessential guide
though time, spaces and all places associated with the P. And other bands too.
Fasten your safety belt as this ride does experience a bit of turbulence from time to funk time. Darkness,
lights, spaceships, doctors, clones and maggots actually come to life and Dawn places you right there as the stories unfold.
Each epic chapter surrounds you as you wiggle and squirm for a closer encounter with each yarn that she serves up.
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Even as a child, Silva kept pen to paper as though she were a chosen keeper of all things to be
remembered. She journaled. Journaled. Then then journaled some more.
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Welcome to the most prolific and definitely the best “behind the scenes peek” into the realms of music ever to be written.
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Silva pulls back the curtain and shares some of the most intimate secrets about the music industry. Both good and bad. Be certain to pick this one up as It’s sure to keep you entertained with 528 pages of pure P spilled all over the place-it’s a must read.
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As a core member of two of the most impressive bands ever to assemble, Sly and the Family and Parliament-Funkadelic
(well, that’s actually waaaay more than two) the author pulls you right onstage with her amid the fog,
pyrotechnics, polyphonic vocals, augmentations and explosive arguments.
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She drops sparkling gems explaining and exposing her time as frontman for “The Brides of Funkenstein”. The Brides, another one of George Clinton’s ingenious musical acts, made a huge noise on the funk trails landing them side-by-side with the top bands of the era.
Unfortunately, as their ship was hovering and gaining momentum close to warp speed, Clinton pulled the plug
and began to seemingly undermine the girl’s efforts. Even though they were winning major awards and
attention worldwide, the plugged got pulled on them by the very doctor who created them.
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All in all the book is a banger and a sho nuff must read. Oh yeah, the book is chock
full of excellently shot color pictures of Dawn and her cohorts throughout her days on and off stage.
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Just recently, she released a skunky remake of Bootsy Collin’s, “I’d Rather Be With You” that has Funkateers back ferociously
bobbing their heads to its infectious beat. She’s also completed an original ditty called, “As Long As It’s On the One”
that can get you up and grooving. Both tracks are dripping with a nastiness preserved strictly for those who love to move.
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Go to dawn Silva.com to order your copy of the book.
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Book #432
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Dr Cornel West ~ Philosopher, Actor, Political Activist, Sacramento, Ca.
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“I love the Funk Queen.”
Book #506
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Coleman Young Jr
City Councilman, Detroit, Michigan
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“Wow! This book is a great collectible!”
Book #705
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Virgil Taylor ~ Musician, entrepreneur, Farmington, Michigan
“Dawn’s book is remarkable! When I read some of the excerpts, I knewI had to get a copy. When I received it, I was amazed. Dawn’s account of her experiences blew my mind. I’m familiar with a lot of what she’s shared, but damn… suffice it to say, the QUEEN took me to school! I thought it only appropriate to take a picture with the book in front of United Sounds Recording Studio. For those who don’t know P-Funk recorded regularly at
United Sound. I haven’t been to the studio in years, it reflects so much of the *Funk’s* history,
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I wanted to share, courtesy Dawn Silva, Queen Of Funk, all hail the Queen!!!
Book #2
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Henry Mayers ~ Film Director, Political Activist,
TV Host, Detroit, Mi.
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“I am honored and humbled to receive #2 of the autographed copy of The Funk Queen, the Autobiography of a living legend who has performed with some of the most influential and trailblazing groups in FUNK MUSIC. Her early times touring with Sly Stone, surviving The Black Panthers, her success as a key member of Hall Of Fame inductees Parliament/ Funkadelic, lead vocalist of The Brides Of Funkenstein, and the first black female group to cross over into a new wave rock market. This book takes the readers across the pantheon of all forms of music, and history, with Dawn touring the world, finally landing solo, and achieving the best FUNK album of the 21st century, “All My Funky Friends.” Dawn spent years enduring many levels of abuse and surviving traumas that would have crushed a lesser woman. Many will find this book, not only captivating, but will force you through the whole gamut of emotions from laughing to crying, happy to sad, to getting angry, to finally cheering her strength and courage. This (HERSTORY) of FUNK is a visual and academic masterpiece.” #thekidfromgiza
Book #49
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Rickey Vincent ~ Author, Funk Historian,
Educator, DJ,
@ UC Berkeley Ca.
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Funk Queen, Dawn Silva’s book is a Game Changer!
It is unlike any treatment of The FUNK ever done!
Every page leaps out at you! And she breaks the funk tales all the way down! If you’ve ever seen one of her shows you know, Dawn’s both a perfectionist and a master of the RAW FUNK, and she does the same
with this epic full color production of her epic life!”
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Rickey Vincent
March 6, 2023
It is unlike any treatment of The Funk ever done! Every page leaps out at you! The stories with Sly! With Lynn, With George, with Charlie Wilson and a dozen others are priceless! The photos are off the chain and deserving of life size blow ups! And Dawn breaks the funk tales all the way down! If you've ever seen one of her shows you know Dawn's both a perfectionist and a master
of the RawFunk and she does the same with this epic
full color production of her epic life!
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Book #549
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Nicholas Busbee ~ On-Air Radio Host, Classic Rock, Urban & Adult Contemporary, 107.7 WDAO-FM, Music Critic, Dayton, Ohio
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“Dawn, I absolutely loved it! The best autobiography I ever read! It was not only compelling it was revealing about what goes on, not only under the stage lights, on the tour bus, in the recording studios and backstage, but also in the darkest of hours, when from the outside looking in, nothing, or very little, is as it seems. And from the inside looking out, a dream that has come to fruition, is operating like a nightmare, that at times, becomes out of control. In my opinion, your life story is more than worthy of major cinematic expressions.”
“The people you’ve worked with are iconic. The projects are legendary, and your input from not only a professional perspective, but also from a personal vantage point, was at each stage of their careers exactly what they needed. Your love for singing, family, friends, and fans, is obviously the air that you breathe.”
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“Your talents as a singer and producer are amazing; yet at the same time underrated. Your intelligence, kindness, loyalty, perseverance, triumphs, hustle, ability to always get over the “hump” , and your superior Funkentelechy, are truly inspiring and on full display in your autobiography. I wish you all the continued success this world has to offer with this masterpiece of a life story, and in each and everyone of your future endeavors.”
Thank you for sharing your amazing journey with us mere mortals, who up until now had to admire you and our fantasies about “show” business, stardom, and the Funk game from the outside looking in. I’m proud to think of you as my friend. Long live the Queen! Forever and a day after that! Nick Busbee
Book #751
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Cheryl Eckfort ~ Journalist & Freelance Writer for the Los Angeles Sentinel
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“This writer gives the book an outstanding review that keeps one’s attention from beginning to end, a shocking and absolute masterpiece.”
Book #37
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Chris Campbell ~ Radio Host, Publicist, Music Critic, Detroit, Michigan
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“This isn’t an autobiography, it’s a movement.”
Book #300
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Scot Brown ~ Associate Professor at Howard University Washington, DC
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“Heavy funk history. Great read.”
Book #290
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Scott Goldfine ~ Music Columnist & Critic,
Charlotte, NC
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“The Mutha of all Funk Books.”
Book #10
Blaise Schmitter - Journalist, Historian, Music Collector,
Editor and Founder of The FunkU Magazine
Paris, France
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March 12, 2023
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Biographies by musicians… I’ve read over 50 as I can recall, and probably much more. Some are interesting, a few are useless because the artist tries to polish the angles to please everybody therefore avoiding the ‘touchy’ subjects that everyone encounters in his life, or by not tackling painful memories that they’d rather not remember. But that’s for the shape of the story. In her recently published book, « The Funk Queen », Dawn tells the truth like it happened, wether happy sad, scary, challenging, the ups and downs all along the course of an incredibly rich personal life. Which artist do you know of, that has been a member of no less 3 major FUNK bands groups, that made Funk history, and also being part of her own band, and finally being a successful solo artist on her own? From the top of my head I can’t name any other. Mind you, Sly & the Family Stone to start with, then Parliament-Funkadelic, and later the GAP Band, plus The Brides of Funkenstein, not forgetting her work with The Platters, and her rise as a solo artist at the end of the 90’s… There’s simply too much to talk about, that’s why the book extends all over 525 pages ! Even the die-hard fan will learn much more than he thinks, as well as gaze at an incredibly large selection of beautiful photos (many of which never seen) all spread out on high quality paper… Once read, re-read, re-re-read (!) you’ll be happy to display this beautiful work of art in your library ! Dawn takes you on a personal trip in music history, during the golden age of music and Funk in particular, when the most beautiful pages were written. Do you promise to Funk, the whole Funk and nothing but the Funk? Well she did that (and still does!) and in this book she tells about the Funk but instead of the word Funk replace it by ‘Truth’ … That’s how honest this bio is… After saying that, I guess this has got to be in the Top 3 of the best autobiographies I’ve ever read, and a real beauty of a book. I’ve been privileged to know Dawn for years and honored that she counts me as a friend, and I am so glad that she put a final touch to this long awaited project, and tell her story ! If you’re into Funk, and music in general, you just have to read this book !
Funk Soldier #57 and book #10!
Book #511
William (Billy Bass) Nelson
Songwriter, Producer, Musician, recording artist with Motown, Warner Brothers, Casablanca
and *Founder* of the infamous funk band, *Funkadelic*
Plainfield, New Jersey
“Dawn Silva, I love you, honestly, respectfully and sincerely. You are truly blessed. “ANGELIC ROYALTY” Your BEAUTY IS WITHIN. From your Heart and Gorgeous spirit, this autobiography couldn’t be anything less than that, TRUTH, BRILLIANTLY written. It’s an honor, Privilege and Blessing to know and LOVE you my PRECIOUS Sistah, Friend and Comrade.”
Book #1083
Mike and Maria Ginsberg
Victoria, Australia
“Dawn, we started reading the first pages of your book separately, and then discussing what we read over supper. In a matter of weeks, your book became part of our evening routine. The stories were so spellbinding that we’d read well into the morning hours, only to argue when one of us was too weary to continue. Mike came home from the market and caught me reading without him. Boy, was he mad. He started hiding the book. I blew my top and threatened to purchase another copy. LOL. When we got to Part Five, (my favorite section btw) we put the book away, because neither of us wanted the stories to end. Thank you Queen D, we laughed, and we cried, and applauded your bravery, your stamina, and your heart, it is indeed the best autobiography we ever read.”
Book #216
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Harvey Pugh
Tax Consultant and Funk Soldier
Montclair California
"The Funk Queen by Dawn Silva
The book is absolutely amazing. Just like her music, she put her heart and soul in it. I have told everyone about this amazing person and her book.
Just like her amazing live performances, it's synonymous with the book. She kept it real with the history and how tough the music can be for a female
(especially back in the day)"
"Recommend for all!"
Book #172
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Rob Turner ~ Pharmaceutical Technician, Poet, Songwriter, Music & Art Collector,
Cincinnati, Ohio
"This book is a pathway and testament to funk. Well written, Dawn unlocks her personal time capsule and is our guide to the underground railroad to #Funk. She gives an exact point description of how she came to be; from her ancestors and roots, to the evolution of her, a woman, parent, friend, therapist, to a #FunkQueen singing before millions across the globe. This, a colorful display in words and photos, from Sly Stone, to Parliament-Funkadelic, The Brides Of Funkenstein, The Gap Band, to her solo career.. is a vivid story in a book that you don't want to put down." -Rob Turner
Book #70
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Eric Pierce
Central Islip, New York
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“NOW AND ETERNAL DAWN SILVA IS A PART OF FUNK ROYALTY.”
Book #45
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Linda Brim ~ Sacramento, California
“I’m completely blown away with the The Funk Queen! Its historical, and educational with enough academic information to teach for years. From page one it pulls you in, and doesn’t let go. Its like nothing I ever read or experienced before, not to mention discovering a world I never knew existed. Reading about the systemic demise of Black Bands, and Black Radio, made me sad, then angry. I was getting so mad at times that I started yelling at the book. Then, I was cracking up laughing, and then crying hard.
Then, I panicked. The stories were so good, I didn’t want it to end. I applauded and started reading the book again.
Not saying all of this because Dawn and I are good friends since grade 7, but after surviving insane abuse, the years of
misogynistic victimizations from personal relationships, associates and managers, it didn’t change or break her spirit one bit.
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The image above best describes what a strong Black Powerful Woman looks like.
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Dawn is stepping off the pages of the greatest book I’ve ever read in my life!
Congrats Queen Silva. I’m proud of you!”
Book #649
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William Smith Nichols
Educator & Radio Host @ KBFK UC Berkeley
"The Funk Queen is a big shining volume of raw truth, beauty and the rhythm of the Matriarchy, which is the real essence of the One!"
Book #592 & #609
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Kranghed Gunnar and Dalibor Sentic
Stockholm, Sweden
“The best Christmas present! Thank you Miss Silva!”
Book #14
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Bob Davis ~ Music Critic, Radio Host,
Writer, and Founder of the Internet radio
network, SoulPatrol.com
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Book #6
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Brett Murray ~ Promoter, Concerts For Causes Glenn Dale, MD.
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“The Funk Queen is a page-turner, literally, I couldn’t put it down.”
Book #464
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Shirley Clinton ~ Singer, Songwriter, Recording Artist
Greensboro, NC
“Dawn Silva, you have not a clue on the impact you had on me as a young teenager going to concerts with my Mom. You inspired me to want to sing. Hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to meet you someday. Congratulations on your new book, it’s so beautiful.”
Book #645
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Leo Nocentelli - Grammy Award Winning, Guitarist, Songwriter, Producer, Activist, and
Founder of The Funk Band, The Meters
New Orleans, Louisiana
"This is a *Tell All* read, and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
Book #555
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Victor Orlando ~ Percussionist, Recording Artist, Los Angeles, California
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“I am so very happy to have received my autographed Copy of “The Funk Queen” by Dawn Silva, the only woman I know that was an intricate part of the FUNK WORLD HISTORY. She has trail blazed through her career, riding the Top of the Funk Echelon. I Victor Orlando, am honored to still be her friend since our relationship with music in the days of The Gap Band. “All Hail Dawn Silva, Queen of Funk.”
Book #91
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James Coleman
Los Angeles, California
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“They say don’t meet your heroes too late. I met Dawn Silva today. This woman is a funk icon, a trailblazer, and a contributor to many of your favorite songs. And still after all that, she’s still a sweet, beautiful human being that’s notdone with her legacy. What a treat!”
Book #416
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Diane Brieze Thompson ~ Musician, Performer, Singer, Songwriter
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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“Dawn, I just finished reading your book, and all I can say is…WOW! What an amazing, heart wrenching, and triumphant story! The writing was SO vivid, I felt as if I was there, witnessing every moment. I have no words to express my respect and admiration for you, and the True Women of Funk who endured so much. I always wondered why PFunk’s most heralded spin off stopped at the height of their success. Now I, (and the whole world) know. SMDH
I’m glad you said what needed to be said. Long overdue. But, the real story is your perseverance and victory over adversity! Once again Congratulations!This is a book that needed to be written, and I’m more than happy that you chose to share this masterpiece with me! PS- I’m waiting for the movie…
Book #224
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Jeanette Perkins ~ Ordained Minister, Singer, Published Songwriter, Performer
Atlanta, Georgia
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“We were elated to receive our copy of Dawn’s autobiography, “The Funk Queen. Dawn gives new meaning to UNCUT FUNK, the BOMB, that’s exactly what this book is! The book is absolutely beautiful, with great photos, history that will wow you, and stories you never knew, that will toss you around in a sea of emotions. Thank you for your honesty and transparency and telling your story. It’s been a long time coming, but you did it. This is your season, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to have shared part of your journey, you are truly the Funk Queen.”
Book #155
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Jackie Simley Stevens ~ Mezzo Soprano, Songwriter, Producer, Executive Entrepreneur, Los Angeles, California
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"Herein is a National Treasure! I have never read a book written like this! Each chapter chronicogically takes you to the next phase of your life's journey, but it takes us with you in the pages!! Sista Soldier, Queen of Funk, Dawn Silva, you DID IT!! Happy to Funk with you these 38 years family!! Onward!!
Book #79​
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Marcel (Dice) Kaatee & Bart Verhoeven Musicians
Amsterdam, Holland
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“Dear Dawn, I have received your autobiography and I am impressed. Apart from excelling in beauty, it's a beautiful illustrated and indispensable reference work of the funk history of which you yourself, have been an important and not to be underestimated part, and you still are! Funk couldn't have a better Ambassador. The extensive footage of your performances with my band *Seven Eleven* in your book is an honor. I look back with pride on our concerts.”
OooBooBeeDoop
The book is quite simply phenomenal. I can honestly say in all my years of funkin, I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s like this personal testament. She should get some kind of award for best funkumentary book. The book is a treatise on the whole music industry. How it’s run. The misogyny. Both the Brides and Parlet should have been huge. According to Dawn,
both were sabotaged from within.
Now I know there are 2 sides to every story.
I haven’t heard the other side. One thing is for sure. Mallia may be the first we called Queen of Funk. But there is room around the throne. They are all Queens. And I will never view Parliament-Funkadelic in the same light ever again.
It’s a magnificent work. The pics, the info. Outstanding.
It’s an emotional roller coaster of a read.
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Some of it will sting ya good. I’m running the full gamut of emotions over here. There were parts of the Gap band stuff that actually had me in tears. So personal. Dawn has shared alot of herself with us. When they moved over to Burbank that puppy story got to me. I haven’t picked it up since. Peck lightly.
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I’m on chapter 32 “The Kid From Giza”. I try to read a little bit just before going to sleep. Yes Dawn shares a lot of herself. I wish I could tell her what a great job she did. She did a great service for the funk community.
Book #127
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Dee Thompson ~ Marketing, Graphic Designer
Toronto, Canada
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Unboxing the Funk Queen Book! If you know the Funk Era, you know it was an unbeatable experience of outstanding music, crazy outfits and unforgettable performances. Dawn Silva is definitely the Funk Queen that contributed to a lot of the most creative genres in music history. Even though this era was before my time, I grew up listening to this type of music due to my mom, exposing us at a young age. My mom was a trailblazer herself in her own walk of life here in Toronto. Her works within the Canadian Music Industry, booking concerts, clubs, and recording sessions for Dawn would be memorable with many of these amazing stories written in this very book. My mom and Dawn Silva were very good friends. They practically became sisters, living in two different countries, but always in communication. I have been honored and blessed to know Dawn, who I call my Aunty. Thank you so much for this precious memory. I know Mom would have been so proud of you. I will Love you forever Aunty Dawn.”
Book #37
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Sandra (MaMa Sandy) Morgan
Funk & Music Historian
Washington DC
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“Oh, yeah! I got my Dawn Silva autobiography, with pictures that write their own stories.”
Book #33
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Funkster Jones ~ Funk Historian, Collector
Pittsburgh, PA
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“Dawn Silva is Pure Uncut Funk!”
Book #249
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Gia Sista Funk Riga
Brussels, Belgium
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“It is I who thanks you, dear Dawn Silva. You illuminate the hearts, and so many beautiful souls with your talent. Thank you for this Funktastic book! It’s a real happiness, this history of music, written by the Queen Of Funk. A very big honor for all of us. Much love from Belgium.”
Book #34
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Calvin Simon ~ TV, Film & Community Network, Vallejo, Ca
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“Just completed all 524 pages of The Funk Queen, by Dawn Silva. Good Read and comprehensive in the teaching aspect, in reference to how important royalty rates, publishing, and a musicians union is in the grand scheme of things. It also goes into early radio and record days of Stevie Wonder James Brown the Nite-Liters and more on the musical end to her days with Sly, P-Funk, The Gap Band, The Platters etc.. The cool thing is it comes off as honest & real, but, NOT a hit piece on anyone, but she does get into the *Poli-tricks* that will happen if you are signed to a third-party production company as opposed to being signed directly to a recording label.”
Book #241
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Miles Gray ~ Petersham,
New South Wales, Australia
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“Here’s to my Queen of Funk. Dawn it’s been a great pleasure going off to bed with your book on my pillow. The only issue I can see is that I’m getting closer and closer to the end. Oh well, I’ll just start reading it from the beginning again!”
Book #480
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Tony Camm ~ Musician, Songwriter
Forest, Virginia
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“This book is too heavy to pick up, and too hard
to put down.”
Book #889
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Marty Neely ~ San Francisco, Ca.
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“This is not an Autobiography, it’s a series of number
one best sellers.”
Book #514
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Keith Duronslet Jr ~ Sacramento, California
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“Phenomenal, educational and inspiring.”
Book #266
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Linda Boulware Wilson ~ Tulsa, Oklahoma
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“This is one bad ass book!”
Book #702 and #703 | Book #427
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Nancy, Gail, & Josephine | Gail Muldrow
Underground Books Author Talk
Sacramento, California
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“I found myself shouting at the book, and then applauding! Truth, facts, history, believe it!
Book #76
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Joy Sato ~ Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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“Dawn, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your magnificent manuscript, with stories, photos, and facts from the belly of a true Funk Queen! There are many true stories between the lines that give some justification to the true geniuses of funk, and the other fierce women who survived all the trauma, misogyny, heartache, physical and mental abuse, and others who just didn’t get their true piece of the funk kingdom pie. I love the cover picture, but I get fired up and start talking out loud when I see the picture of you standing on top of Polygram Records! That’s the true, “Don’t Mess With Me, Tennessee Fierce, Funk Mountain Mama!! There is no other! KUDOS BABY, AND MIGHTY, MIGHTY LOVE!! OneJoy
Book #212
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Dragan Stanoevski ~ Skopje, Macedonia
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“Thank you Dawn, for this great honor.”
Book #331
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Steffen MotherFunkin ~ Roskilde, Denmark
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“Your book has landed in little old Viking country of Denmark!
Book #329
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Eric ET Mobley ~ Scottsdale, Arizona
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“An absolutely wonderful and illustrious depiction of the life and music career of Funks-tress Dawn Silva. It’s worth every dollar to learn about the history of funk music through Dawn’s experiences.”
Book #436 & #437
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Roxie and Katrina ~ Sausalito, California
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“An outstanding memoir.”
Book #548
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Earl Roberson ~ Musician, Producer, Songwriter,
Buffalo, New York
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“It’s a blessing to know this amazing lady. I am so proud of you Dawn.”
Book #336
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Cheaza Figueroa ~ Global Artist, Singer, Songwriter, Henderson, NV
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“The Funk Queen is Legendary, and a must read!”
Book #269
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Marc Pickman ~ Gourmet Cook &
Specialty Desserts
San Antonio, Tx
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“The Funk Queen is a collectible and actual piece of art. By far the best table book I’ve seen and read in years!”
Book #377
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Donna Taylor ~ Vocalists, Recording Artist,
Thousand Oaks, Ca
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“What an incredible accomplishment Dawn. This treasure is full of Funk History!”
James Coleman
March 8, 2023
They say, don't meet your heroes. Too late. I met Dawn Silva today. This woman is a funk icon, a trailblazer, and a contributor to many of your favorite songs. And still, after all that she's still a sweet, beautiful human being that's not done with her legacy. What a treat!
Book #167
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Bobby Easton ~ Musician, Brazilian Percussionist,
Los Angeles Ca.
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“Excellent book Dawn! Honored to have it in my collection.”
Book #423
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Brian Morgan ~ Multi-Platinum selling singer songwriter, Grammy Nominated, Producer, and recording Artist,
West Hills, Ca.
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“How many of us can say we were behind the scenes, in the studio, and on stage with Sly Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, AND The Gap Band? How many can say we were writing in a journal the whole time, in REAL TIME? Only one person can, and that’s why Dawn Silva’s journey is a must read for any music fan!”
Book #462
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Rufus Thompson ~ Fiber Optic Engineer,
Washington, DC
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Silva has sung and toured with the best, and this book is as funky and heavy as she is! Thanks Diva!!
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Book #11
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Melissa A Weber ~ Music Historian,
and Educator,
New Orleans, LA.
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“Her story is a life well-funked, from young rebel, to rock star, to rock bottom, to revived music maven, to rising above it all. And in telling it all, with this book,
Silva has reclaimed her rightful throne as an original
and reigning Queen of Funk.”
Johnny Matthews
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Jul 26
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Hey Dawn!
Want you to know I just got my copy of your book today. Thank you so much for signing it. I've only read a few pages and I'll tell you you are the subliminal seducer. I have never been one to curl up with a book and read it while eating my favorite goodies. Well, that changes as of today. I want to honor you because to your point the women in this group were game changers and so dynamic. I truly love what you have done for the funk. My family knows my heart is all the way in
when it comes to the funk and the women of the "p" is truly funky and also worthy of praise! I'm so glad
I was able to witness all the live performances that came to Washington DC. I was there.
I must say I really love you and Lynn. Debbie was my girl too. Man you guys were the bomb!
Much Love and respect to you Dawn!
John Matthews - Funk Soldier #446
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Book #9
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Derek Gordon ~ Digital and Computer Technician,
San Bernardino, Ca.
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“One of the baddest books ever printed!”
Book #5
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Amelia Weber ~ Student, Howard University
Washington, DC
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“This isn’t an autobiography Auntie Dawn, it’s a historical treasure chest! I am so proud of you!”
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Books #86 & #87
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Orly and Tina Sanna ~ Artist, and Graphic Illustrator, Trieste, Italy
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Magnifico! Dawn Silva, the one and only QUEEN OF FUNK. This book is a monumental testimony to
PURE FUNK!
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Book #28
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Diem Jones ~ Author, Poet, Motivational Speaker,
Red Bank, New Jersey
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“Funk in a whole different perspective.
Stunning, excellent, brilliant.”
Book #247
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Kitty Savage ~ Journalist, Media Producer
Asheville, NC
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“Dawn is The Funk Queen!” #FunkMusic #FemaleSingers #MusicHistory
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Book #136
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Zelda Norwood ~ Educator, Music Promoter,
Pomona, Ca.
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“The Funk Queen by Dawn Silva is a must have and a must read!! It is not only fascinating but also educational.”
- Professional Review -
The Funk Queen. Dawn Silva. An Autobiography: A review
By Charlotte Morgan - a journalist, writer, and educator based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Book #769
Monday, April 15, 2024
In this massive 500-plus page-turner, singer, songwriter, producer, turned author, Dawn Silva, best known for her time as a singer, and performer with Sly and the Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, the Brides of Funkenstein, and the Gap Band, tells her story of survival, overcoming and outshining at every stop on the underground railroad to the funk. While the book documents how she has earned the title of the Funk Queen, it also contains a “Forrest Gump” trope where themes of prejudice, violence, and inequality over decades emerge as Silva engages historical figures of sports, politics, film, and music.
We learn about her life through hundreds of photos and wonderfully detailed anecdotes. Silva, the Sacramento, California-born artist, who was known for her charismatic performances onstage reveals herself as a skilled vocalist, vocal arranger, producer, and leader, who behind the scenes battled to receive equitable pay, recognition, and royalties. She had to fight (at times physically) her group members, band members, staff, record label executives, booking agents, and concert promoters, which some P-Funk fans will empathize with, others will find unbelievable, and many will pretend to ignore as their allegiance is not towards Ms. Silva or any of the females whose unheralded vocals helped elevate Parliament-Funkadelic from underground to mainstream.
According to memoirist and feminist, Vivian Gornick, in nonfiction writing, “the writer has only the singular self to work with. So, it is the other in oneself that the writer must seek.” The writing works in this autobiography when the narrator engages in a type of self-investigation of “one’s own frightened, or cowardly or self-deceived part— (which helps) creates the dynamic.” In other words, there is the situation but the emotional investment the writer and the reader are looking for is found in the stories recorded in thorough detail over these 51 chapters.
Full disclosure. Ms. Silva is someone that I have known for decades. However, after reading this book, I realized how little I knew about her family, their Indigenous roots, and the amount of violence she experienced at an early age, and throughout her life. I learned about the favor God graced her with—she lived to tell. She must have known that she would live a life worth writing about because she prepared to write this book by keeping a diary or journal and meticulously compiling clippings and photos.
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If you believe in destiny and purpose, it is easy to conclude that she was born to travel worldwide as we read how her family moved to Germany when Silva was three. In several places in the book, we see how she quickly adapts and picks up the language, whether German as a child or Portuguese as an adult. This ability to adapt will be important to note as you read. These stories take us across North and South America and Europe.
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The first part of the book reveals the singer’s family story--both the Taylor and Weber sides. The introduction to Dawn Carla Weber comes in the form of a beautiful black and white photo of Willy and Leora Taylor, her maternal grandparents. Like photos from the past, this one is ghostly and beautiful. The closing features a photo of the triumphant Silva, onstage as the show-stealing special guest act at the 2009 Long Beach Funk Festival.
This notion of an underground railroad to the funk is not what this book is about; instead, it is about the battle to bring to light the real-life story of one of Funk music’s pioneers and the truth about how the unsung workers–those women whose names were not included at P-Funk’s 1997 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction–were treated. This is accomplished through Forrest Gump-type anecdotes which place Ms. Silva in the company of who’s who during the 1970s and beyond.
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As a coffee table book, it is an oversized, hard-covered volume complete with glossy stock worth the high price tag, that you can display on a table. You can use it to entertain guests, inspire conversation, or pass the time. You must sit down to read it. It is rich in its storytelling—the description of the characters is wonderful.
Aside from the treasure trove of photos, the majority of which photographer, Steven LaBelle provides, the writer here questions her choices and does not make excuses for them, she offers reasons. Today’s young people know nothing about the past. The Funk Queen could allow college students to analyze the African American experience in the United States from the 1970s to 2000s in Popular Culture, Composition, and Rhetoric, as well as Feminist and Womanist (the focus on black women) Theory courses.
Serious musicologists should include this volume in their collections. This is also a must-have for music aficionados who either grew up in the glory days of vinyl recordings and the black self-contained group or are curious about what happened to them. But is also for any woman interested in the music industry as it is a cautionary tale which you must read.
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Photo courtesy of dawnsilva.com.
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Dawn Silva was a first-hand witness to more history and hysteria than most of us could even imagine. I privately wondered how one book could even hold it all; particularly after adding her offstage story to the brew. Well, she did it!
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I don’t think I ever mentioned this to Dawn, but there were a few years around the end of the seventies when she was one of the first things I saw when I awoke every morning.
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True, it was the same P-Funk poster that adorned thousands of other walls at the time, purchased from a street vendor when the Mothership touched down in London, and she was just one of seven or eight figures captured in the shot, recognizable by their costumes alone.
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There she was, though, the First Lady of Funk, and I was genuinely thrilled, when she and I talked for the first time some two decades later, to learn that time had not tarnished that title in the slightest.
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Her past had forever been piled up by the turntable; now her present, a debut solo album, “All My Funky Friends,” was in constant rotation on my CD player; and why? Because, as I wrote at the time, “If there was a magic to the Brides of Funkenstein, a knowing naivety, an ingenious genius, which nothing else in the P-Funk catalog came close to eclipsing, Funky Friends recaptures that same magic effortlessly, which leads us immediately to one of the great unanswerable questions of the age, who were the real brains behind those funky Brides? Silva herself still credits George Clinton, but one listen to Funky Friends and you may not be so quick to concur.”
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The Funk Queen
For reasons she makes abundantly clear in this book, Dawn never did a follow-up to “All My Funky Friends.” In a strange way, however, she didn’t need to. That one album, so perfect in both design and delivery, stands not only as the brightest star in Dawn’s constellation; it’s one of those albums that illuminate the entire galaxy of funk.
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That galaxy – or a major, massive part of it, comes under a lot of scrutinies in this book. Dawn was already talking about writing her story when we met in 2000, and even then, it sounded like a monstrous undertaking.
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Forget about her triumphant solo career and her tenure with the Brides of Funkenstein; Dawn was an integral part of not one, not two, but three of the most phenomenally successful bands of them all.
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So I’m not going to tell you what a crazy, action-packed roller coaster of music, madness, and emotion this story is then, you already know, if you don’t, you soon will. But, what I will say is that the Dawn Silva, who writes this story, is exactly the same Dawn Silva who could sit you down in a quiet room and tell you the story, in the same exact way. That’s special. That’s something that you don’t read every day. But, then again, isn’t that what Dawn Silva has always done? It doesn’t matter whether she’s on stage, on record, on a poster, or even writing an exceptional memoir. She never lets you forget that she’s just as real.
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It’s one of the most honest in my-life-in-music books you’re going to read, and it’s also one of the most exploratory. Yes, there are many autobiographies, where you feel as though events just occur, one after the other, bang, bang, bang, with no rhyme or reason as to how or why. They appear here as well and with similar regularity, some good, some bad, some triumphant, some tragic. But they are preceded by cause and followed by effect, each one building up a portrait, of people, places, and things, that are themselves as real as the pages in your hand.
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Dave Thompson is an English writer and author of more than 100 books in the Rock, Funk, and Pop genres.
He wrote regularly for Melody Maker, Record Collector, Rolling Stone, and Goldmine Magazine.