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The common history rock & roll reads something like this: Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who, Les Zeppelin, et al. Well, for those who know that those names explain it all comes the alternative history of rock: The 27s, a beautifully illustrated account of music’s last seventy years seen through the lives and legacies of the unfortunate stars who passed at the age of 27. As you might expect, the story begins with Delta bluesman Robert Johnson and moves on through Brian Jones, Jimi Hendirx, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and Kurt Cobain, but intertwined is an entirely new saga packed with alternative heroes such as Big Star’s Chris Bell, The Gits’ Mia Zapata, Echo & The Bunnymen’s hard-hitting Pete de Freitas, Manic Street Preacher’s Richey Edwards, Badfinger’s Pete Ham, Kristen Pfaff of Hole, and two-dozen more.
“The 27s collectively tell a surprisingly complete story of rock,” says author Eric Segalstad. “There’s no disco and no reggae, but it includes pioneers in funk, doo-wop, blues-rock, ’70s hard rock, power pop, proto-punk (The Stooges), acid rock, post-punk—all the way through The Mars Volta’s original soundsculptor Jeremy Michael Ward.” Jam-packed with heartbreaking stories of brutal lows and exhilarating highs, the book also provides an interesting overview of pop culture trivia, eerie coincidences, the power of an ancient number. Tying it all together is poster artist Josh Hunter’s lavish illustrations that are featured throughout the book’s 292 pages. This indie release’s publication date is set for sometime this fall, but stay updated by signing up at The27s.com. The book’s creators promise an exclusive pre-publication offer to those who do. www.the27s.com www.youtube.com/the27s www.myspace.com/legendsattwentyseven
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