My Name Is Love: The Darlene Love Story

Rating:
Summary: Booklist gets it wrong
Review: Ah, the same problem continues to plague Darlene even after her book sets the record straight! From the late 1950s through the early 1970s, Darlene was a member (and usually the lead singer) of the Blossoms, who cut many singles for a variety of labels during that time. As for her early/mid-60s work with that creep Phil Spector, Darlene sang under a number of guises. First, she and the Blossoms cut two singles that Spector released as the Crystals (including the classic "He's a Rebel"), since the REAL Crystals already had a couple of hits and thus some name recognition. Second, Darlene cut a few singles under her own name. In fact, "Da Doo Ron Ron" was initially cut as a Darlene Love single, but Spector subsequently replaced her vocal with that of one of the Crystals, Lala Brooks, and ultimately released it as the Crystals. As for the Blue Jeans, they were a studio concoction, and Darlene sang on records under that name, too. If you love Darlene's singing (as anyone familiar with it is bound to), you'll be interested in this book. Good luck to you, Darlene; you've earned all you get and so much more.

Rating:
Summary: Darlene's recognition is way overdue !!!!!
Review: Couldn't put this book down..What a story----I am finally seeing her in person this Sat for 2 shows !!! Back to back NYC "Deck the Halls with LOVE"...I have never been so excited about attending a concert.....She is a true inspiration to all women !!! To come back after being so down & out !!!! You go girl !!!!! Please..please... never stop singing !!!!!

Rating:
Summary: a fascinating account of a one of rock's pioneers
Review: Darlene Love's autobiography is a treat! Spiced with lots of dishy stories about famous folk from the early days of "girl groups" to Las Vegas and Broadway, I finished the book in record time (no pun intended!). Through it all comes the warmth and perseverance of one of rock's truly great back-up and lead singers. This woman has been through it all, and her book leads you through an amazing saga of missed opportunities, rock producer Svengalis, and friendships forged through adversity. I found the book immensely enjoyable and recommend it highly.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Rock Bio EVER
Review: Finished reading My Name Is Love within 24 hours, only taking breaks to eat,sleep & shower! What a story! What a great woman! Being a rapidly-aging baby boomer myself, I have long followed Darlene's career, but this book really gave me some incite into how much the woman has been through. I knew,for instance,she was Phil Spector's primary backup singer for everyone on his Phillies records label, but never imagined how many other singers and groups she sang along with, not just on record but in concert too! Truly amazing. Darlene is probably the most underrated singer on the planet, and one of the most down to earth as well. Her account of growing up and eventually facing prejudice, her failed marriages and her shabby treatment not just by Spector but from peers in the industry, record company executives, attorneys,etc. is a really sad story. Thankfully, Darlene is a survivor, always having great faith in God, the love of her husband Alton, plus a terrific sense of humor. She often relates in this book how so many people still don't know who she is or just pass her by on the street. Well, if I were fortunate enough to be on the same sidewalk as Darlene, I would be too starstruck to even say hello or remember my name. If only today's "divas" had an ounce of her talent and integrity. Whether or not you're a fan of Darlene's and/or 60's music, this is a must read for the historical info alone! Thanks for all the music, Darlene, and keep on singin'!

Rating:
Summary: A RARE TREAT
Review: Finished reading My Name Is Love within 24 hours, only taking breaks to eat,sleep & shower! What a story! What a great woman! Being a rapidly-aging baby boomer myself, I have long followed Darlene's career, but this book really gave me some incite into how much the woman has been through. I knew,for instance,she was Phil Spector's primary backup singer for everyone on his Phillies records label, but never imagined how many other singers and groups she sang along with, not just on record but in concert too! Truly amazing. Darlene is probably the most underrated singer on the planet, and one of the most down to earth as well. Her account of growing up and eventually facing prejudice, her failed marriages and her shabby treatment not just by Spector but from peers in the industry, record company executives, attorneys,etc. is a really sad story. Thankfully, Darlene is a survivor, always having great faith in God, the love of her husband Alton, plus a terrific sense of humor. She often relates in this book how so many people still don't know who she is or just pass her by on the street. Well, if I were fortunate enough to be on the same sidewalk as Darlene, I would be too starstruck to even say hello or remember my name. If only today's "divas" had an ounce of her talent and integrity. Whether or not you're a fan of Darlene's and/or 60's music, this is a must read for the historical info alone! Thanks for all the music, Darlene, and keep on singin'!

Rating:
Summary: More Love, A Lot Less "ghost writer."
Review: Great book, fantastic read. Keeps the reader very interested as well as informed about the politics of the music business. It's a shame that her voice was manipulated and pimped the way it was, not given recognition for classic hits such as "The Doo Run Run" and "He's A Rebel". This art of switching voices wasn't made public until the 1990's with the Milli Vanilli and Black Box scandel, but clearly this act had been in existence forever. After learning that she was on the hit 1960's show "Shindig", I purchased several of the classic videotapes. She was not exaggerating- she has a wonderful voice and deserves to be amongst the legendary pantheon of female singers. I would recommend this book to any artist seeking to enter the music business for the pros and cons, and anybody, overall who just enjoys a good, rock and roll memoir.

Rating:
Summary: More Love, A Lot Less "ghost writer."
Review: great story of Love, but Ron Hoerburger, the ghost writer tries way too hard. No life is as polished, no set of anecdotes as yucked up or tidy as he presents them. More of Love and a lot less of Hoerburger would have made a far better book. You're not supposed to see the ghostwriter's presence as you constantly do in this boook, that's why they're call "ghost" writers- they're suposed to fade into the background, not try to upstage the star like Hoerburger does here.

Rating:
Summary: The Well-Told Story of One of Rock's Greatest Voices
Review: Growing up in northern Ohio in the swinging 60's, my ears were always glued to the radio. It is where I met and fell in love with the great female voices of my lifetime. Aretha. Martha Reeves. Dusty Springfield. Mavis Staples. One of the greatest voices, though I didn't always know it because she wasn't given credit, was the legendary Darlene Love. I have seen this woman perform many times, on Broadway and off. Her voice always moves me and stirs me and inspires me. I thank God for blessing us with Ms. Love and thank her and Rob Hoerburger for sharing her story of pain and triumph with us. Keep on singing, Darlene!

Rating:
Summary: Booklist gets it wrong
Review: Pop star autobiographies appeal on many levels: there's the kind that dish the dirt, the kind that offer insight into the industry, and -- rarest of all -- the kind that offer truth about and insight into our lives and times. Love and Hoerburger succeed on all three levels. We get wonderful "you are there" stories on Phil Spector, Elvis, Tom Jones and Dionne Warwick (to drop but a few names). And Love's accounts of nearly achieving stardom offer real (and often heartbreaking) insight into a industry (and world) where sheer talent doesn't always come out on top. But the book is at its best when Darlene unflinchingly takes on topics such as racism, working mothers, affairs of the heart and a deep, abiding faith. Hers is a voice of wisdom and experience, not just hallow platitudes offered from a millionaire superstar. Darlene's voice long has been one of rock and roll's undersung glories. With "My Name Is Love," she poves that she can sing on the page with the same stirring truthfulness.

Rating:
Summary: A unsung hero of rock 'n' roll sings on the page as well
Review: Pop star autobiographies appeal on many levels: there's the kind that dish the dirt, the kind that offer insight into the industry, and -- rarest of all -- the kind that offer truth about and insight into our lives and times. Love and Hoerburger succeed on all three levels. We get wonderful "you are there" stories on Phil Spector, Elvis, Tom Jones and Dionne Warwick (to drop but a few names). And Love's accounts of nearly achieving stardom offer real (and often heartbreaking) insight into a industry (and world) where sheer talent doesn't always come out on top. But the book is at its best when Darlene unflinchingly takes on topics such as racism, working mothers, affairs of the heart and a deep, abiding faith. Hers is a voice of wisdom and experience, not just hallow platitudes offered from a millionaire superstar. Darlene's voice long has been one of rock and roll's undersung glories. With "My Name Is Love," she poves that she can sing on the page with the same stirring truthfulness.