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Jews Who Rock

Jews Who Rock

List Price: $12.95
Your Price: $9.71
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: You Forgot Robert Ozn & Ned Liben
Review: Fun book, good holiday gift. But Oseary forgot Robert Ozn (Robert Rosen) and Ned Ebn (Ned Liben) of EBN-OZN and Dada Nada fame. Two Jewish guys from Greenwich Village, they were huge in the dance music world and on MTV in 80s early 90s) Ozn, who in his day was hailed as the best white rapper alive and is also a phenom singer and sex symbol and Ebn, the most brilliant synth wizard this side of Thomas Dolby. Oseary will HAVE to include 'em in the Volume II.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Not a Good Job; Some big Errors
Review: I admit a certain potential conflict of interest. I run a web site that is largely devoted to the relation of Jewish people to popular culture.... When I heard this book was coming out--I looked forward to some new insights from an "insider." The book consists of one page profiles of "Jewish" performers. Each page consists of credits that could be found anywhere on the web. The biggest surprise to me was the listing of John and Michelle Phillips of, "The Mamas and the Papas", as Jewish. Mama Cass Elliott (born Ellen Cohen) was Jewish--this is well known. But the Phillips are not! How can I be sure? I am in contact with an author who is half way through a major book on the band. But this error seems typical of the tossed off quality of the book. Another Amazon reviewer noted that Robbie Robertson is listed and that he is half Native American and questioned whether he was "half" Jewish. He has, in fact, a Jewish father--but he is much closer to his Native roots. You would never find this out from the book. Also listed are a number of people who are "half" Jewish, but who were raised in another faith. There are so many Jewish rockers today who relate to their Jewishness in their work or lives. Many writers have written articles on this very subject. I hate to be mean--but it appears that this gentleman used his name and connections to put out a book that is little more than a list of "possibly" Jewish rockers. In some cases, he lists some Jewish members of a band (J. Geils band stands out)--and omits other Jewish members of the same band! Beyond everything else, if he blew it on the Phillips--how can we trust other stuff? The final weirdness is that he dedicates the book to his pal, Madonna--"the rockingest Jew I know." Well, Madonna has studied Jewish mysticism--but she is not Jewish by birth and a formal conversion has never been reported anywhere. But he calls her, "Jewish". Do you know something we don't? Care to share it with us?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This book rocks!
Review: I am glad that someone finally decided to write this book. Being a Jewish Rocker myself, I love to read about the people who inspire me. There aren't many Jewish women who've achieved stunning success in the rock world, but to finally find a compilation which outlines all of their successes and highlights their religious fervor is truly inspiring. Thank you Mr. Oseary, the world needs more people like you.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: I WISH I COULD GIVE IT LESS STARS
Review: I am proud to be Jewish, but this book has embarrassed me and my culture. What took 2,000 years to accomplish has been destroyed by one idiodic book. The subject matter is fascinating, but the legacy of the Jew has always been hard work. This was a quickly tossed off project with no real substance. I also find it humiliating that it was released in time for Christmas. Guy Oseary should stick to hanging out with Madonna and getting lucky by signing Alanis Morrissette.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Iggy isn't Jewish.
Review: I have not read the book. I leafed through it in a book store. What can I add that others haven't already said. The one page bios are superficial and there are many mistakes and omissions.

I response to the reviewer who said that Iggy is Jewish. Well he isn't. I read his autobiography about 12 years ago. I think he said his father was an orphan who had been adopted by a non-practicing Jewish family. But he wasn't brought up Jewish. Iggy isn't Jewish by decent, upbringing or in any other way except in name (James Newell OSTERBERG) You can hear various anti-Semitic remarks in live and 'unofficial' recordings of the Stooges.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Jews Who Rock ROCKS!
Review: I love this book! And I'm not even jewish! Who Knew! It dives into all of the stars who I want to know everything about! If you read any book this year, read this book!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: It could have been better
Review: I've read this book and have found many errors which could have been easily checked. For example, when giving the title of the legendary Al Kooper's book, they got it wrong. Also had Bob Dylan graduating from the University of Minnesota at 18 (he left after one year to begin his career). In addition, when giving credits to songs written by Robbie Robertson on The Band's debut album, of the two songs listed, one, "This Wheel's On Fire", had no involvement in writing by Robertson (it was written by Rick Danko and Bob Dylan). And these are only examples which I know about from my own knowledge.....I'm sure they aren't the only ones. Whoever was hired as the fact-checker on this book, should be sued for taking their pay under false pretenses.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Really?
Review: Including Kenny G, Michael Bolton, and Neil Diamond in a book called "Jews Who Rock" only confirms that Jews have an elevated sense of humor.

This book should be titled "Jews Who Changed Names and Then Tried To Rock and Occasionally Succeeded."

I would have given this book 2 stars if it hadn't let me know that Gene Simmons real name is Chaim Witz. Wow.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Worth Every Cent!
Review: Just seeing the names Guy Oseary, Ben Stiller, and Perry Farrell together on one collaboration was enough to pique my curiousity. These three men continue to create and shape popular culture by giving us some of the most creative, powerful, and entertaining works of the past decade. Mr. Oseary's lastest offering combines his vast knowledge of the music business with his close ties to his faith. The result is a great annual of rockers, (some of who you knew were Jewish, many others will surprise you). The book offers vital stats, interesting info, and links together a multitude of rockers who share both music and roots in Judaism. I loved it. It will make a great gift for anyone. Easy to read, and perfect to have around for easy reference.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Where's Mr. Pop?
Review: Let's face it: a book like this should have come out a long time ago. But it's NOT complete. Why isn't the "godfather of punk" and greatest talent of the second half of the 20th Century Iggy Pop included? A lot of the people mentioned in this book (ie Malcome McClarian, Mick Jones, and the late Great Joey Ramone) owe their careers to the Igg!


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