Roman Candle: The Life of Bobby Darin

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Summary: A long time coming: a great bio about a forgotten genius
Review: As the Bobby Darin renaissance is finally upon us, underscored by the imminent release of Kevin Spacey's biopic "Beyond The Sea", author Daivd Evanier punctuates this rebirth with his very fine biography of the singular yet underappreciated talent. There have been scarce biographies of Darin since his death 31 years ago, most notably from son Dodd Darin, but Evanier's is the more definitive and (understandably so) less subjective. While he has a deep admiration for his subject and goes forth to prove that Bobby Darin indeed earns the "genius" designation, the author never treads into fawning territory. Bobby's darker persona is presented here as well.
As Darin afficianados well know, his was the quintessential rags-to-riches story, a life saddled with a short hourglass ceding a small amount of time for him to achieve his fame. The author's style, concise yet detailed, fully explores the multi-faceted personal and professional lives of Darin. Regarding the former, the author has conducted interviews with many of Darin's friends and associates, most notably his manager/friend Steve Blauner, who may have known him the best. Unfortunately, neither ex-wife Sandra Dee nor son Dodd couldn't or wouldn't contribute to the book and, although they are quoted from previously published sources, their input could have added dimension towards explaining the couple's very famed marriage and its failure. As for Darin the recording artist/movie actor/stage performer, the evolutionary path he took from rock 'n' roll to pop to folk artist (as well as side forays into other genres) is given full attention. The author's cogent writing gives the book a continuously sharp focus throughout and never bogs down. It never meanders from its purpose, to reflect on Bobby Darin's contribution to the entertainment world.
When Bobby Darin died in 1973, many critics cruelly dismissed him as a musical chamelion who, in the end, failed to make his mark. David Evanier's book can be seen as the first real salvo towards rebutting that misperception.

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Summary: Roman Candle by Evanier
Review: David Evanier has written a taut, exciting biography of the late pop-star Bobby Darin. Appropriately called "Roman Candle", it often reads like a novel, but it's all true. Darin came from dirt poor circumstances with a messy family situation in the Bronx, N.Y. Since he was intelligent, talented and ambitious, he sought and achieved success in show business. Bedeviled by serious illness throughout his brief life (he died at the young age of 37), this only added to the intensity of Darin's drive.
Evanier's quick-paced writing matches the pace of Darin's own career and life. Obviously well-researched, this book gives us all the details, without becoming academically dull. We learn about Darin's music, his own composition and early rock hit "Splish Splash", his transition into an interpreter of traditional standards and his surprising move to folk stylist, and, coincidentally, civil rights activist.
We also learn about Darin's loves, his family relations, his connections to show business greats such as George Burns, Jimmy Durante, Frank Sinatra.
For anyone interested in the story of pop-culture and the American road to success, Evanier's book is a must.


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Summary: BOBBY DARIN:NO LONGER OVERLOOKED
Review: David Evanier's new book, ROMAN CANDLE,, finally brings some much needed attention to probably the most versatile and, to a degree, underappreciated, performer, BObby Darin.Mr. Evanier's straight-forward approach to his subject conjures up the way the man pursued his life and career. Mr. Evanier has captured the essence of the man and performer and gives Bobby Darin fans the definitive reference book for this incredible talent. Bobby Darin was proficient in many musical genres which has led some to believe he was a musical chameleon. ROMAN CANDLE exposes this misconception.ROMAN CANDLE is a unique portrait of the performer who raced against time and whose time has come again courtesy of Mr. Evanier.

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Summary: How accurate is this opus?
Review: After reading several obvious mistakes in dates and in the spelling of important names, I am wondering how much of this biography is fact and how much is made up for dramatic effect.

The date of Kennedy's assasination was not November 23, it was the 22nd. Melvyn Douglas is spelled "Melvin" here, and the Watts riots were not in 1964, they were a year later.... I remember it well. I read many more mistakes before I was through. Did this author check his facts? Did the publisher care? How much more of the life of this incredible man is incorrect?

The book is not compelling, even though the subject of Mr. Darin an amazing one. I am hoping another author will tackle this mans life and give it the justice it deserves. This reads more like an expose rather than a serious biography.

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Summary: Stellar Book Shines Light on Stellar Talent
Review: David Evanier's new biography of Bobby Darin tells the sensational story of Darin's meteoric rise to stardom and the price he paid foir it. Unlike most celebrity biographies, however, this is not hagiography: Evanier tells the Darin story sympathetically but objectively; he doesn't fall for Bobby's line. He has interviewed everybody and done all the primary source research; he knows the facts and he tells them straight. The death sentence that made Bobby live so fast; the family secret that destroyed him; the rich talent; the burning intensity; the cruelty; it's all there, the whole fascinating spectrum, captured with musical appreciation, and without human judgment..

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Summary: A Real Life Portrait
Review: I decided to read "Roman Candle" because I've loved David Evanier's other books, not because I was interested in Bobby Darin. In fact, I couldn't have cared less about Darin - until I began to read the book. I was hooked on the first page and just couldn't put it down. The book is about more than one individual singer, it's about an era, family, racism, music, the way a person can be both noble and cheesy, the blessing and the curse of greatness, making every moment count, and so much more. Evanier's voice is heard at times, commenting almost plaintively on the failings of his subject, but never judging. I loved looking into Darin's world and meeting the assortment of fascinating (and sometimes sinister) characters connected to Darin and the entertainment industry during this period. This is a terrific book that made me want to go out and buy CD's of Darin's music and definitely see the Kevin Spacey movie.

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Summary: Well told story about a fascinating musician
Review: This book really woke me up to who Bobby Darin was-- to what an unbelievable life he had, his complexity, and the range of his music and his talents. Evanier talked to everyone in writing this book. He writes the story with a knowingness as if he were there himself, as if he were one of that group. The book definitely made me want to go out and see the movie, hear the music, watch the Darin TV appearances. I enjoyed this book tremendously. It is straightforwardly told, and fascinating in its information and details.

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Summary: I Loved This Book
Review: This is a loving, objective portrait that captures Darin's brilliance as a singer and entertainer, but doesn't skirt the dark side of Darin's intergalactic sex life, his love of group sex, and his extraordinary use of several condoms before a show!For someone who knew very little about Bobby Darin on picking up this book, it was an amazing experience to learn about his life (sex life and other aspects of life as well!) and his music (and to become a huge fan in the process). In reading the acknowledgements I was impressed by the access the author had to the various people connected to Darin's life. This is a wonderful biography, which immediately sparks your interest in the subject, and then inspires you to go out and learn more. Recommended.

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Summary: DAVID EVANIER DOES IT AGAIN
Review: You heard me...David Evanier has the gift of giving us the in-depth stories of the people we want to know more about. I was so impressed by Bobby Darin's story, who he was, where he came from, and what he accomplished in such a short time. David Evanier's dedication to his subject does not go unnoticed either, He puts you in the life of Bobby Darin as he did with Jimmy Rosselli and Joe Pantoliano. My suggestion is to read Roman Candle, go see "Beyond the Sea" with Kevin Spacey, and read the book one more time..Oh Yeah...get the Soundtrack from the movie as well....YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED BY ANY MEANS!! 5 Stars is not enough.