Rock n Roll Librarian Reads Robbie Robertson: Testimony
Shelley and Christian discuss this captivating memoir, written over five years of reflection, where Robbie Robertson employs his unique storyteller’s voice to weave together the journey that led him to some of the most pivotal events in music history.
He recounts the adventures of his half-Jewish, half-Mohawk upbringing on the Six Nations Indian Reserve and on the gritty streets of Toronto; his odyssey at sixteen to the Mississippi Delta, the fountainhead of American music; the wild early years on the road with rockabilly legend Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks; his unexpected ties to the Cosa Nostra underworld; the gripping trial-by-fire “going electric” with Bob Dylan on his 1966 world tour, and their ensuing celebrated collaborations; the formation of the Band and the forging of their unique sound, culminating with history's most famous farewell concert, brought to life for all time in Martin Scorsese's great movie The Last Waltz.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by Shelley Sorenson are made in her capacity as a private citizen, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the San Francisco Public Library or the City of San Francisco.
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Borrow newly released and classic popular music albums via many public libraries. Download (or stream) on portable devices including smart phones and tablets, as well as computers for a one week period. eBooks, comics, audiobooks, movies and tv shows are also available.
hoopladigital.com - click on "sign in", then "sign up now", then on the name of the library with which you have a library card.
Or visit sfpl.org and click on "eLibrary" to find hoopla and use it with your San Francisco Public Library card.
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Read over 30,000 articles on musical artists in all genres from rockabilly to hip hop by the finest music writers of the last 50 years on the Rock’s Backpages website. The collection is strong in publications from the UK, and also features almost 500 audio interviews. Full text, primary source, and fully searchable by artist, date, genre, keyword, etc.
Go directly to http://www.rocksbackpages.com/ to read free articles. Or click on “subscribe now” then “Click here for academic and other group subscriptions” to find a list of libraries that subscribe. If your library subscribes (and you are a member) you can access the entire library of articles!
OR, visit www.sfpl.org and click on “eLibrary” to find Rock’s Backpages and log in with your San Francisco Public Library card. (hint: if you live in California, you may obtain a SFPL library card by visiting one of the locations.)